Downtown Neighborhood is Booming
By: Tina Shively
Updated: November 14, 2012
A Rochester neighborhood that was practically empty just five years ago, is now booming.
Xerox, Frontier, the Geva Theatre.
Their employees are some of the 50,000 commuters that travel in and out of Rochester everyday.
But now, the Washington Square Park neighborhood is starting over.
Since 2007, dozens of families and several businesses have moved in or set up shop.
Mayor Tom Richards said "I think particularly downtown it's important for people to get a sense of a smaller neighborhood. To be 'downtown' isnt enough, you have to have an area you can relate to and these people clearly do."
One of those people is Jason Schwingle.
He lives in one of the 19 units in the Capron Lofts.
Schwingle said "We have young professionals, young families, young families with children. We have retirees and empty nesters that have moved in here, it's just been a real great mix."
Schwingle grew up in Rochester, moved away, and is now also starting over with a new wife, new business ventures and a new community.
"It's an open book, it's a blank slate," added Schwingle. "You can really do whatever you put your heart and mind and soul into."
Schwingle is starting the Washington Square Park Neighborhood Association for the people he sees running under the Freddie Sue bridge, and serving up sushi at Nikko restaurant.
He added "It's not about setting trends or anything, it's about making changes in a community and in a city that I grew up in and I loved so much and that I want to see it to its full potential."
"You know, that's what we're trying to do," said Mayor Richards. "The fact that they want to create their own neighborhood association and reflect that there is a neighborhood there."
Twelve housing projects are under construction in Downtown Rochester.
An estimated 750 people are expected to move in, in the next few years.
Xerox, Frontier, the Geva Theatre.
Their employees are some of the 50,000 commuters that travel in and out of Rochester everyday.
But now, the Washington Square Park neighborhood is starting over.
Since 2007, dozens of families and several businesses have moved in or set up shop.
Mayor Tom Richards said "I think particularly downtown it's important for people to get a sense of a smaller neighborhood. To be 'downtown' isnt enough, you have to have an area you can relate to and these people clearly do."
One of those people is Jason Schwingle.
He lives in one of the 19 units in the Capron Lofts.
Schwingle said "We have young professionals, young families, young families with children. We have retirees and empty nesters that have moved in here, it's just been a real great mix."
Schwingle grew up in Rochester, moved away, and is now also starting over with a new wife, new business ventures and a new community.
"It's an open book, it's a blank slate," added Schwingle. "You can really do whatever you put your heart and mind and soul into."
Schwingle is starting the Washington Square Park Neighborhood Association for the people he sees running under the Freddie Sue bridge, and serving up sushi at Nikko restaurant.
He added "It's not about setting trends or anything, it's about making changes in a community and in a city that I grew up in and I loved so much and that I want to see it to its full potential."
"You know, that's what we're trying to do," said Mayor Richards. "The fact that they want to create their own neighborhood association and reflect that there is a neighborhood there."
Twelve housing projects are under construction in Downtown Rochester.
An estimated 750 people are expected to move in, in the next few years.
