Schumer, Clinton Secure $5 Million For Rochester Renaissance Square Project

Senators Charles E. Schumer and Hillary Rodham Clinton today announced that the Joint HouseSenate Appropriations Conference Committee will likely approve $5 million for the Rochester Renaissance Square project. The funds would be provided in the FY 2006 Transportation, Treasury, the Judiciary, and Housing and Urban Development Appropriations bill, which is expected to be passed by the Joint HouseSenate Appropriations Committee Conference tonight and will then be voted upon by the House and Senate. Following passage in each chamber, the bill will be sent to the President for his signature.

This is great news for Rochester. These transportation funds keep New Yorkers moving quickly and safely, while creating jobs across the state, Schumer said. Renaissance Square presents enormous opportunity for Rochester and the entire region. This funding will be the key to our continuing downtown redevelopment efforts, and will help with economic growth, transportation improvements, and arts and education in the greater Rochester area. This money will present enormous opportunities for Rochester and the Finger Lakes.

I am so pleased that our colleagues in Congress have recognized the importance of the Renaissance Square project and appropriated these funds so we can add to the progress already being made with this incredible development, Senator Clinton said. Renaissance Square holds such promise, not only for economic development and growth downtown, but for the promotion of the citys cultural and artistic assets. This is one of the cornerstones of Rochesters vision for the city center, which will also provide an easy way for tourists and locals alike to come downtown, bringing with them the promise of even more economic expansion. I am very pleased that we can help the city in this way.

Federal funding will be used to design and build the transit center which will include a new Monroe Community College downtown campus and a performing arts center. The belowgrade transportation hub will bring together RGRTA buses and shuttles to the airport, train station and fast ferry.

Consisting of a community college campus, a belowgrade transit center and a performing arts center with several performance spaces, Renaissance Square is the largest development project in the history of Rochester. In addition to creating new jobs, 1200 during peak construction, the Renaissance Square project will also help develop new businesses, and provide numerous retail and housing opportunities for downtown.