Help Move Us Into 2015

Posted by: Mike Governale, President, Reconnect Rochester

Have you been following Reconnect Rochester over the past few years? Do you like the idea of increased transit options and walkable, more vibrant neighborhoods? If so, please consider making a year-end contribution and keep us rolling into 2015…

2014 has been a year of ups and downs.

Rochester’s new state-of-the-art RTS transit center will be opening next month; yet buses will be fewer and further between.

The process of replacing the Inner Loop with a walkable city street grid has begun; meanwhile, at the Amtrak station, NYSDOT is planning to remove a city street to be replaced with a parking lot.

At the University of Rochester, as College Town officially launches, much of the buzz (from the media and the University) has been about new parking spaces instead of the pedestrian-friendliness of its design. And sadly, a new transit line—route #52—which would have served College Town has been scrapped.

All of this means we have much work to do; and that’s okay.

When Reconnect Rochester was formed we knew our work would be difficult and our objectives long-term. The seeds we’re planting today will not yield results overnight, but we will continue to advocate for smart development and transportation alternatives. And for now we’ll celebrate the small wins.

Please consider making a one-time or recurring contribution today. Future generations are counting on us, and we cannot make progress without your help.

Here are a few things we’ve been up to…

Bus Stop Seats

We believe the choice to sit down and rest your legs is a basic human right. That’s why we’ll be kicking off an effort in 2015 to bring seats to Rochester bus stops. A one day pilot program at Dewey Ave and the Public Market this fall proved very successful. More to come!

Free Lecture on Transit Draws a Crowd

This fall we brought transit advocate & author Benjamin Ross to Rochester to speak on topics related to development and transportation. An anticipated room of 25 people turned into a crowd of over 90 at the Monroe Ave Library. We learned a great deal from our out-of-town guest expert, and we hope to host many more free events like this in 2015 and beyond.

“Go Green” Transportation Toolbox

Reconnect Rochester was recently awarded a grant from the American Public Transportation Association (APTA) for the creation an online transit toolbox for Rochester. This desktop/mobile website will provide a central destination for Rochesterians to find practical information about alternative transportation options in our area – whether you’re planning a trip or searching for an electric charging station.

Regional Project Tracking

Public input is critically important to help shape developments in our community. This is why we’ve begun to systematically track all local projects and public input opportunities. You can help by adding projects that you know about to our public Project Map . And don’t forget to follow us on Facebook+ Twitterfor project updates and meeting notifications.

ROC Transit Day 2014

Over 100 local businesses and organizations participated in ROC Transit Day 2014 . Plus, we saw a 73% jump in the number of individuals who used their transit passes that day. But the real success of this one-of-a-kind event could be seen in the number of smiles we saw on Rochester’s streets.

We’re proud of the progress we’ve made, and even more excited about the opportunities that lie ahead. Please lend your support now with a tax-deductible contribution, and help us move Rochester forward in 2015.

Thank you SO much!
Mike G.