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Rochester Street Films at The Little Theatre. Thursday, November 19, 2015.
If you weren’t in the audience this past Thursday evening at the first-ever Rochester Street Films, well, you missed one heck of a good time. Maybe you got stuck in traffic and had to turn back. We get it, life happens. While we can’t recreate the energetic live panel discussions, we can at least share a portion of the event with you here…

Rochester Street Films at The Little Theatre. Thursday, November 19, 2015.
Here is the introduction delivered from the podium by Mike Governale, president of Reconnect Rochester, followed by all of the films (including three great locally produced ones) that were shown…

When I think about many of the places I’ve been to in my life, the ones that have truly left an impression on me are all places that I was able to enjoy fully and freely on foot. When I am able to experience a place—whether it’s a big city, or a small village—the most memorable places for me were the ones where I felt free. Free from my car. Free to walk around and explore without fear. It’s that feeling of freedom that makes me want to keep coming back to a place.
We’ve known for a long time how to create these types of places. But for a moment, we forgot. For a moment we were blinded by the idea that the automobile could be the cure to society’s problems. In that momentary lapse of memory, we destroyed much of what was good about the great American city. Cities like Rochester. We are now just beginning to reacquaint ourselves with the idea that places work best when they are walkable.
A group of citizens came together around this idea, AND that a great public transit system will need to be a key ingredient if Rochester is to return to greatness.
We are Reconnect Rochester – an all-volunteer, non-profit organization working to promote a more balanced transportation network for the benefit of all Rochesterians. We dedicate our time to this effort because we believe people should have the freedom to choose how they get around… And because communities are stronger when our streets work for everyone.
But you don’t have to take my word for it. Tonight we’ve assembled a mix of films that will show how smart transportation design and policy can result in better places to live, work and play. Plus, we have a lineup of panelists who will help provide a local perspective. Let’s roll ’em…

Rochester: A City of Quality, Part I
(making peace with the automobile)

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The Economics of Suburban Growth

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Rochester: A City of Quality, Part II
(a place to park)

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Local Film: Erik Frisch on transportation choice
(by Alex and Ander)

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The Social Life of Small Urban Spaces, Part I
(Poor street design)

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Technology in Cities Today and in the Future

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The Social Life of Small Urban Spaces, Part II
(Undesirables)

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Snowy Neckdowns

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Local Film: Getting Around Rochester
(by Alex Freeman, Studio 73 Productions)

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Walking Contest

• • •

Complete Streets: More than just bike lanes

• • •

Edmonton Transit Service Ad

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Salt Lake City: A Red State Capital Builds Ambitious Transit

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BoulevArt in Highland Neighborhood
(by DocFilms)

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Local Film: Heidi Zimmer-Meyer on transportation and development
(by Alex and Ander)

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Thank You!

Rochester Street Films at The Little Theatre. Thursday, November 19, 2015.

Our Panelists:

Thanks to Erik Frisch (City of Rochester), Miguel Velázquez (RTS), Heidi Zimmer-Meyer (Rochester Downtown Development Corp.), Karen Elam (United Way Rochester-Monroe Anti-Poverty Initiative), Kerry Ivers (Town of Irondequoit), Elizabeth Murphy (Finger Lakes Health Systems Agency), Adam McFadden (Rochester City Council), William McDonald (Medical Motor Service), Michael Tomb (Highland Placemaking Team), Scott Wagner (Rochester Cycling Alliance), and Lynn Blackmer (RTS customer).

Our Volunteers:

Thanks to Nicholas Russo (for bringing the idea to us and for all of his hustle), Danielle Raymo, Rachel Barnhart, John Lam, Mike Bouwmeesteer, and our many helping hands: Carlos Mercado, Renee Stetzer, Daniel Speciale, John Thomas, Steve Carter, Matt Robinson, Sarah Reedy, Maxwell Motorbikes, and all the folks from The Little Theatre.

Thanks also to John Derycke of Motorsports Photography external link for capturing these great photos from the event!

Our Brilliant Local Filmmakers:

Thanks to Rochester’s own Alex Weiser and Ander Kazmerski of Alex and Ander external link, and Alex Freeman of Studio 73 Productions external link.

And of course, the founder of Streetfilms.org external link, Clarence Eckerson who was disappointed he couldn’t join us, but did help select a few of the films.

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