City of Rochester takes major action to secure the long-troubled Hawkeye Plant on St. Paul Street

Rochester, New York – Rochester officials took decisive action this week to bring an end to the steady stream of break-ins and unsafe activity surrounding the long-abandoned Kodak Hawkeye Plant on St. Paul Street. The sprawling industrial building at 1447 St. Paul St., once a symbol of the region’s manufacturing strength, has instead become a repeated target for trespassers and burglars over the past several months.

City leaders say the situation reached an unacceptable point as summer turned to fall. In just the month of September, at least seven people were arrested at the site for burglary-related or trespassing offenses. Neighbors had grown increasingly uneasy, and police calls to the address were beginning to pile up in a way that signaled a building drifting toward becoming a full-time hazard.

Officials described the structure as vast and complicated, a maze of rooms, hallways, and unsecured access points. Because of that, they say the property posed a mounting safety risk, both to those sneaking inside and to the surrounding community. Even with attempts by the property owner to shore up the plant, people continued finding new ways in.

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After continued concerns, the City made the call to intervene directly. In the early morning hours of a planned operation, roughly 30 Rochester police officers entered the Hawkeye facility and moved methodically through the building to ensure no one was inside. This sweep took several hours, according to officials. When the operation concluded, officers confirmed the plant was empty. From there, city crews began installing secure barriers, sealing entry points, and taking steps to prevent any future unauthorized access.

According to the City, the operation’s price tag comes in around $200,000. But leaders were quick to note that residents won’t be picking up that tab. As stated in the City’s announcement, “The cost of this exercise, approximately $200,000, ultimately will not be borne by taxpayers, as the City will pass the full cost on to the current building owner.” Officials also emphasized that “any questions about plans for the building should be directed to the owner.”

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For the City, the goal now is stability. By securing the facility, leaders hope to break the cycle of repeated break-ins, reduce the demand on police resources, and limit the risk of injuries or other emergencies. While the building’s long-term future remains uncertain, authorities expressed confidence that this week’s actions will at least bring immediate relief to the neighborhood.

As crews finish the final stages of closure and reinforcement, the Hawkeye Plant stands quiet—perhaps for the first time in months—awaiting whatever comes next for one of Rochester’s oldest industrial giants.