Consultant Team

FRA, a TY Lin International Company (prime/engineering)
Cooper Carry (urban planning/architecture)
Economics Research Associates (economic/financial analysis)
Chait Studios (architecture)
The LA Group (landscape architecture)
Howard/Stein-Hudson (public outreach)
Ravi Engineering & Land Surveying (survey & enrivonmental)

Project Schedule

Project History

Throughout the 1960s, 70s and 80s numerous concepts surfaced that called for the study of the abandoned Broad Street tunnel.  Several proposals surfaced relating to retail operations, and interior “skyway” connections; however, in the end none of them proved financially feasible.

To find a fiscally responsible solution planning initiatives began in 1993 authorizing the preparation of an Expanded Project Proposal (EPP).  This study had the goal of developing and evaluating cost effective solutions to address the needs and distressed condition of the tunnel (this document did not include the aqueduct). The EPP concluded that the most feasible option for correcting the system deficiencies was “total fill and abandonment”. This option carried the least initial capital cost and the lowest corresponding life cycle cost based on the fact that once the structure was encapsulated; further maintenance needs would be reduced to zero.

Between 1995 and 2004 several studies (both privately and publicly funded) were developed pertaining to light rail transit and its future in Rochester. The studies focused on evaluating the feasibility, costs and benefits of light rail and numerous discussions were held with the Rochester Rail Transit Committee (RRTC).

Several options were developed that would allow specific portions of the Broad Street tunnel to remain open for light rail use; however, without any clear indication that the region was collectively endorsing light rail, the City was forced to move forward with their plan for total fill and abandonment of the tunnel.

A draft report for the plan to fill the tunnel was forward to City Council on April 26, 2004, and a public meeting was held on June 14, 2004 where a discussion continued to revolve around the future of light rail transit in Rochester.  At this time a new concept was also presented that detailed the potential economic opportunities that could be gained by re-establishing and re-watering the original Erie Canal corridor through downtown.

Beginning in May of 2005, a grass roots advocacy group formed using the name Subway - Erie Canal Revitalization Committee (SECR). The SERC group was successful in obtaining well over 5,000 names to a petition against abandoning and filling the tunnel. The majority of all City Council members signed the petition along with all Mayoral candidates (across all parties). City Council directed the City’s Commissioner of DES to issue a moratorium on the project until the overall economic benefits of all proposals brought forth could be ascertained.

In late summer 2005, then Mayoral Candidate Robert Duffy issued the following statement in his “Impact Rochester” position paper under the heading Bringing Economic Development Opportunity Back to Rochester.

Erie Canal Restoration Project: Robert J. Duffy
(Summer 2005)

“While significant elements of the City’s east side have flourished in the past several years, the west side has, with too few exceptions, lagged seriously behind.
Opportunities are ripe for re-development of large portions of downtown west of the Genesee but the City needs to take the first steps to jump-start private sector interest and confidence in the long-term viability of any such investment. As Mayor, I will put on hold the current plans to fill in the abandoned underground subway west of the Genesee River. We will instead work with west-side community groups and developers to explore the merits and economic feasibility of restoring the old Erie Canal in the former subway bed running from Broad Street downtown, just west of the Aqueduct, to the Brown Street Basin. A re-opened canal can serve as an extraordinary focal point for residential and commercial development throughout the City’s west side, provide recreational activities and facilities for our City’s residents and provide an exciting link between our western sports and entertainment venues”.

On September 16, 2005 The City postponed design work on advancing the design of the abandonment and fill option. Throughout the summer of 2005 numerous tours were provided to various agencies and interested parties. The general intent of the tours was to highlight aspects of the corridor and raise awareness for those involved.

The City strongly desires to build upon the rich heritage of the corridor and develop it in such a manner that it serves as a major catalyst in promoting further economic growth and national branding for the greater Rochester region.

As discussions continued about the ultimate fate of the tunnel project, the City moved aggressively toward securing funding and advancing concepts related to redevelopment of the Erie Canal Aqueduct.  Over a span of four years the City was able to assemble the required funding to advance concepts proposed earlier for the interior of the aqueduct.  

This project, referred to as the Historic Erie Canal Aqueduct and the Broad Street Corridor, is looking at Broad Street from the Rundel Library to West Main Street, and looks at the surrounding properties for approximately one block in each direction.  The master plan will incorporate comments from local advocacy groups and the community at large.  Emerging thematic and programmatic components of the master plan will serve to guide the City in conceptual, preliminary and final design for the adaptive reuse of the Erie Canal Aqueduct. The thematic and programmatic components combined with the corridor report and economic analysis will be used to guide and nurture further development along the entire corridor. Historic interpretation, preservation standards, creative mitigation and reuse strategies are a primary goal of the entire project.