University Avenue Art Walk Expansion Nearly Finished
By: WROC-TV
Updated: September 19, 2012
It's been a project years in the making. Now the ribbon cutting on the University Avenue Art Walk expansion is just weeks away.
Cars are flowing in both directions along Rochester's University Avenue for the first time in over a year. It's part of the neighborhood's ambitious Art Walk Extension Project. $3.8 million in federal stimulus helped fund the road's upgrade from Goodman Street to North Union.
"People have been, we know, inconvienced by that but we're fully opened to two way traffic now and back in business," says City of Rochester Senior Engineer Paul Way.
In addition to a smooth road, the University Avenue Art Walk has been extended and the grounds of the Memorial Art Gallery opened up.
"My vision is that you will see people in this space, which is really the goal, to reallty create a vibrant, center for people use," says M.A.G. Chief Curator Marjorie Searl.
A multi-phase centennial sculpture park is expected to be completed on the gallery grounds by October of next year. Parts of the Historic Fence remain as a link to the past.
"What I think this project has done, almost more than anything, is really captured, giving a lot of oppurtunties, around every corner there's going to be an element of surprise," Searl continues.
The city, Memorial Art Gallery and many others collaborated on this project to enhance Rochester's Neighborhood of the Arts. A story walk and poet's walk reflect the shared vision.
"There really is a great sense of pride on my part and on the city's part to what's been accomplished here. It's a gem and a jewel for the neighborhood and for the entire region," Way states.
The city will hold a ribbon cutting for the Art Walk Extension Project on October 4th. It's a part of a two day planned grand unveiling.
Cars are flowing in both directions along Rochester's University Avenue for the first time in over a year. It's part of the neighborhood's ambitious Art Walk Extension Project. $3.8 million in federal stimulus helped fund the road's upgrade from Goodman Street to North Union.
"People have been, we know, inconvienced by that but we're fully opened to two way traffic now and back in business," says City of Rochester Senior Engineer Paul Way.
In addition to a smooth road, the University Avenue Art Walk has been extended and the grounds of the Memorial Art Gallery opened up.
"My vision is that you will see people in this space, which is really the goal, to reallty create a vibrant, center for people use," says M.A.G. Chief Curator Marjorie Searl.
A multi-phase centennial sculpture park is expected to be completed on the gallery grounds by October of next year. Parts of the Historic Fence remain as a link to the past.
"What I think this project has done, almost more than anything, is really captured, giving a lot of oppurtunties, around every corner there's going to be an element of surprise," Searl continues.
The city, Memorial Art Gallery and many others collaborated on this project to enhance Rochester's Neighborhood of the Arts. A story walk and poet's walk reflect the shared vision.
"There really is a great sense of pride on my part and on the city's part to what's been accomplished here. It's a gem and a jewel for the neighborhood and for the entire region," Way states.
The city will hold a ribbon cutting for the Art Walk Extension Project on October 4th. It's a part of a two day planned grand unveiling.
