Rochester Mayor declines veto of downtown housing project

Rochester Mayor Kim Norton has announced she will not veto a City Council decision to allow a controversial housing development in the city’s historic downtown district. The project, proposed by developer Hal Henderson, involves constructing a seven-story addition above existing historic buildings on the 300 block of South Broadway Avenue.

The City Council overturned a previous denial by the Heritage Preservation Commission (HPC) in a 4-3 vote. While the project faced significant opposition, including testimony from more than 40 citizens and a petition with over 3,500 signatures, Mayor Norton stated her decision was based on the fact that the council’s process and vote were “legally defensible.”

The revised development plan includes a smaller seven-story tower with 35 units and eight renovated housing units. It aims to preserve parts of the existing structures, including buildings 311-317. While most current tenants and first-floor businesses are expected to remain, the Treedome will be required to relocate. Developers have reportedly assured the city that arts groups can continue to rent space at reasonable costs.