Vision

The Second Street project does not speak with one voice but contains many different interests, ethnic groups, socioeconomic groups and histories. Each possesses opinions, concerns and ambitions with respect to the future development of the Second Street corridor, which we are trying to include throughout this process. The following excerpts have been selected as broadly representative of the many voices that we've heard. Some are competing, some are supportive, but all are interesting and important.

Idea Montage

A walkable, historical, mid-income district that is alive with pedestrians and locally owned small businesses Reduce cars and streets to make more open space connected green spaces are important we do not need additional parks/open space on 2nd Street just better access to existing parks parks and gathering places encourage pedestrianism and community we need space for people to sit-benches play chess, checkers, etc. Second Street should be the city meeting place make it like Burlington VT downtown-they have a much more lively downtown after 5PM and on weekends Look at topography for natural drainage open space connections to River/Creek Retain the character of a small city, with the strong ethical standards of a city that is aware of its role as a leader now in energy conservation and innovation Separate vehicles from pedestrians Turn it into only green space - except one transit system Acquire properties with limited access and turn them into parks Smaller, intimate park(s) like peace gardens Midway plaza with seating International crossroads in 30 years Set standards for advertising/signage within the corridor Portable planters Intersections have places to sit with information Dark Brick-paved walks Kiosks in key areas w/ announcements of City functions tree-lined urban boulevard Minimize conflicts between local business and through traffic Use intersection only for turn offs not individual drives limit cars to one lane in each direction with turn lanes Think green "Complete street" design Find an alternative to continuous bus traffic between downtown and St. Mary's Decrease peak traffic by alternating employee shift changes Transit tunnel from TH52 to downtown Consider an electric streetcar/PRT as part of overall mass transit system have nice bus stops Have more secure places to park bicycles I'm concerned about my property rights Provide incentives for businesses to be pedestrian and bike-friendly Convert 2nd Street: 11th-6th to pedestrian mall Put in a people mover Opposed to a skyway, pedestrian bridge or tunnel under 2nd Safe walking/crossings on 2nd Street in designated areas Pedestrian connections to neighborhoods Creation of interesting side streets or visual opportunities via murals along the way Buffer pedestrians from traffic Widen pedestrian sidewalks on both sides Green space as buffer from street to sidewalk Provide incentives for businesses to be pedestrian and bike-friendly Provide a safe way to get people from street across Second Pedestrian J-walking is a major issue Visitors to St. Mary's need better access to hospital Keep 2 lanes of traffic with public transport-not stinky buses though Grants or financing for restoration of historic homes Left turn signal at the 6th Ave Semi-historic with some contemporary aspects Should honor existing historical buildings Similar style as the neighborhood Appropriate scale, less than 3 stories Our buildings and neighborhoods create a welcoming image and declare that we value environment, alternative energy use and people Classy, classic large windows, brick/stone large door with high ceilings on main floor Without it being overly burdensome, there should be a design vision that unifies and buildings and makes them more "classy" Open until 10 PM Favor smaller, diverse uses especially retail surrounded by housing Save the Mayo Clinic Keep frontages broken into smaller shop-fronts Don't lose current diversity of religions, private residences and guest homes Increase residential density to eliminate need to commute to work Mixed-use Keep East of 11th Ave area entirely residential Model after Grand Avenue: mixed-use, open late, walkable, high vehicle traffic, no chain stores Uses that encourage walking: restaurants, pocket parks, retail Create and enforce firm design standards More brick, less metal paneling Buildings with texture, depth and detail at pedestrian scale and all the way up Use awnings Green space in front of buildings Parking ramps with 1st floor commercial uses No parking ramps No surface parking lots Screened surface parking is ok No on-street parking No chain stores Children's museum More restaurant variety Music locales Small groceries and drug stores Private homes, apartments, guest homes, green space An Identity to Rochester-something truly unique Urban style corridor pedestrian-friendly Preserving the historical elements that still remain and defining the future development by these historical elements Prioritize energy-efficiency/energy-retrofitting and old buildings-make small-scale and intimate Don't lose the welcoming mixed neighborhood feel

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