MCC doesn't even fill half of the Sibley Building, the transportation hub doesn't include a future for mass transit, the train station is not connected, and above all, Rochester does not need another 3,000-seat theater that will cost taxpayers money years after, as do Frontier Field and Paetec Park. They are here to stay; you can't sell them off and make them go away.
Why Rochester thinks it needs to do only this type of huge project is irritating, to say the least.
There are only so many artsy people in the area, and I believe they all support the local arts. This will just divide and hurt our wonderful existing theaters.
Why not look into putting a midsize theater that local groups can use into Midtown? Paetec is well known for its affiliation with the arts, and Rochester could save at least part of our historic icon, Midtown Plaza. How about Paetec Arts Center? Sell the 13-story tower to a private investor and turn it into condos.
One last comment: In what city that you have visited is the bus depot its main pride and joy and the showpiece of its downtown?
GUY PUGLIESE JR., CHURCHVILLE
Comments for "REN SQUARE: The plan hurts other local theaters" (1)
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JASON said on Aug. 13, 2008 at 12:58pm
I believe that the development of a downtown theatre with the latest in design and architecture will allow Rochester to host touring theatre productions that in the past has been unable to bring to town. Design and technology are the key elements that would bring more touring theatre productions to Rochester. The Aud. as it currently stands is a very nice -- but very antiquated space and it will be cheaper -- and more worthwhile -- in the long run to build a new theatre.
It is my believe that Rochester can sustain such an enterprise and that it will do little to hurt other theatre companies in the area as there are few theatres that can compete in the 1000+ seating.
To thrive Rochester needs people with disposable income to visit downtown. The more they visit the more they will spend and the more our community would grow.
I will say that your other points in regard to the bus station and MCC campus have merit. I don't understand the current desire to all these things in one "box".
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