Governor Andrew Cuomo says the state will put $50 million into a fund to drive redevelopment along the Genesee River in Rochester.
Speaking at the Riverside Convention Center, the governor also named Chamber of Commerce CEO Bob Duffy and Monroe Community College President Ann Kress to head a “ROC The River” advisory board. It’s job is to create a comprehensive development plan that ties together all the development and tourism possibilities along the river. Cuomo says housing, mixed-use development and all other uses need to be wrapped into a single plan that will guide use of the $50 million. And Cuomo says he wants to see that plan in three months.
The governor says waterfronts are driving the redevelopment of cities all across the country, and Rochester has a lot to build on.
Governor Cuomo wrapped his announcement in a speech recapping his State of the State message, pushing his call for a statewide policy against sexual harassment by government officials. He also pushed his plan to replace the state income tax with a payroll tax to keep it deductible under the new federal tax law.