Brooks development too speedy for some | democratandchronicle.com | Democrat and Chronicle:

Residents seek a clear plan for river corridor

Brian Sharp • Staff writer • December 1, 2009

After more than 20 years spent trying to bring investment to the Rochester's south river corridor, some neighbors now want things to slow down.

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Historian John Curran gives a tour to Lynnetta Robinson, left, and Katrina Hanson of city property along the Genesee River. (SHAWN DOWD staff photographer)

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Brooks Landing currently consists of a Staybridge Suites hotel, a retail/office building and a spin-off Boulder Coffee shop, all at Genesee Street and Brooks Avenue.
The next phase, to get under way in spring 2010 and open in summer 2011, proposes a six-story building — with a restaurant plus five floors and 85 beds of student housing — plus a drive-thru ATM and a two-story Chabad house, or Jewish community center.
After all that is completed, developer Ron Christenson is talking about condos.

Christenson envisions spending another $20 million on Brooks Landing, adding to the $20 million already invested.
A short distance up South Plymouth Avenue is the 120-unit Riverview Apartments, which opened in fall 2008. The city is studying how best to clean up the old Vacuum Oil site farther north, a riverfront property at the end of Flint Street. Stretching back from the river is seven privately-owned acres, including an old junkyard, that local businessman Thomas Masaschi bought for $660,000 last year. The land is assessed at $208,000.