Voters Block Community Revitalizes Historic Neighborhood

It was a project that was more than $25 million and now it is officially completed.

Thanks to the Voters Block Community Project, a neighborhood is getting help. It's a comeback for West Main Street; one of Rochester's most historic neighborhoods.

"It provides great housing in a neighborhood you are seeing. The transition has been going on for years. This neighborhood is changing. The development is happening," said Lt. Governor Duffy.

Voters Block was a development project started by Lt. Governor Duffy when he was the Mayor of Rochester. The 120 homes are designed for low to moderate income levels. There's ten commercial sites and several nearby remodeled buildings. The new 1872 cafe is on the site where Susan B. Anthony voted illegally in 1872.

Duffy says it's all about revitalizing the city's center.

"There are small businesses, they are great gathering places, they create jobs, they create economic vitality. It's a good thing," said Duffy.

Kenneth Lavan and his wife moved into one of the new apartments in May. They say it's more than a place to live.

'It's my first apartment that I own with my name on the lease. It's warm, it's nice and it's very friendly and everyone gets along here just fine," said Kenneth Lavan.   

"You drive around Main Street, East Main down to West Main, and you see a lot of seeds have been planted. A lot of change that I think is great," said Duffy.

Spiritus Christi Church runs the 1872 cafe. They offer supportive services for residents in the community.

The apartment building is already full, in fact, there is a waiting list.