Proposed Project Plays Role in Pittsford Mayoral Race
By: Ali Touhey
Updated: March 4, 2013
Pittsford, NY--Mark IV Enterprises wants to transform the former asphault plant on Monroe Avenue into Westport Crossing. It is a 167 apartment unit, club house, and restaurant along the Erie Canal in the Village of Pittsford.
The plan has the two men running for village mayor, at odds.
"I stand by my vote. It was too big," said Mayor Robert Corby.
"167 high end apartments in this community would be a benefit to everybody," explained his challenger, Village Trustee Trip Pierson. "It would help the business district. We are going to have 167 more people that are here and hopefully utilize Main St. "
Mayor Corby is being backed by both the Democrats, Conservatives and a grassroots "Pittsford Village United" party.
Like him, they believe the proposed buildings are too tall, and the design of the project doesn't fit with the village image.
"The project included three and four story buildings," said Corby. "I thought we haven't gone as far as we should to ensure that it was compatible in mass, scope, and size with our village."
Pierson disagrees.
"I've had 70 different meetings and I've talked to each of those experts. My responsibility is to look out for the Village's best interests, and this is in their best interest."
Corby has been the mayor since 1993 and says his pro-business, pro-pittsford record speaks for itself.
"Whether it was the library, the flour mill, I have consistently been an advocate for preservation and protection of our village and integrity of our neighborhoods."
The project still needs approval from both the Village Planning Board and the Preservation Board before it goes back to the Village Board for a vote.
Both Corby and Pierson agree they just want what's best for the village. Village voters will have to decide on March 19th.
The plan has the two men running for village mayor, at odds.
"I stand by my vote. It was too big," said Mayor Robert Corby.
"167 high end apartments in this community would be a benefit to everybody," explained his challenger, Village Trustee Trip Pierson. "It would help the business district. We are going to have 167 more people that are here and hopefully utilize Main St. "
Mayor Corby is being backed by both the Democrats, Conservatives and a grassroots "Pittsford Village United" party.
Like him, they believe the proposed buildings are too tall, and the design of the project doesn't fit with the village image.
"The project included three and four story buildings," said Corby. "I thought we haven't gone as far as we should to ensure that it was compatible in mass, scope, and size with our village."
Pierson disagrees.
"I've had 70 different meetings and I've talked to each of those experts. My responsibility is to look out for the Village's best interests, and this is in their best interest."
Corby has been the mayor since 1993 and says his pro-business, pro-pittsford record speaks for itself.
"Whether it was the library, the flour mill, I have consistently been an advocate for preservation and protection of our village and integrity of our neighborhoods."
The project still needs approval from both the Village Planning Board and the Preservation Board before it goes back to the Village Board for a vote.
Both Corby and Pierson agree they just want what's best for the village. Village voters will have to decide on March 19th.
