Rochester breaks ground on $8.2 million Genesee Crossroads Park as part of ROC the Riverway initiative

Rochester, New York – Rochester is moving ahead with another major project along the Genesee River as state and local officials gathered to mark the groundbreaking of the $8.2 million Genesee Crossroads Park.

New York Secretary of State Walter T. Mosley announced the start of the project, which is part of the city’s ongoing “ROC the Riverway” initiative. The work is intended to reshape the park into a more accessible and inviting public space while giving residents and visitors better opportunities to enjoy the riverfront.

Genesee Crossroads Park sits along the east bank of the Genesee River. Once the improvements are completed, the park is expected to offer upgraded public areas, better river access, improved views and spaces that can be used for community events. The project also places a strong emphasis on making the waterfront easier to reach and use for people with different mobility needs.

A major part of the work will involve changing the approach to the Sister Cities Pedestrian Bridge so it meets the requirements of the Americans with Disabilities Act, or ADA. The project will also address bicycling needs and improve the connections between the park, the bridge, nearby streets and the Riverway Trail system.

New lighting and landscaping are included in the plans as well. Together, the improvements are expected to create a more connected stretch of the waterfront rather than leaving the park as an isolated public space.

“Genesee Crossroads Park is an important investment in Rochester’s waterfront that will create a more welcoming, accessible and connected public space for residents and visitors,” said New York Secretary of State Walter T. Mosley. “Through the Local Waterfront Revitalization Program, New York State is helping communities like Rochester turn their waterfronts into vibrant destinations that bring people together, support local economic development and strengthen connections to the surrounding community. This project is another great example of Rochester’s vision for a revitalized Genesee River waterfront becoming a reality.”

The New York State Department of State’s Local Waterfront Revitalization Program will administer $3.75 million for the project. The work also has $3.1 million in funding from Empire State Development, helping bring the total investment in the park to $8.2 million.

The project fits into the broader goals of Rochester’s Local Waterfront Revitalization Program, which include bringing new activity to the Genesee River corridor and encouraging growth along the waterfront. Officials see the park improvements as another step in a longer effort to make the river a stronger part of downtown Rochester’s public life.

Genesee Crossroads Park is connected to Austin Steward Plaza on the opposite side of the river. The two areas are linked by the Sister Cities Pedestrian Bridge. Both Austin Steward Plaza and the pedestrian bridge have recently received improvements through earlier ROC the Riverway projects funded by the Department of State.

That means the latest project is designed to build on work that has already taken place nearby. Improvements to the park will also complement planned upgrades to the adjacent Riverside Hotel, adding another piece to the continuing redevelopment of the area.

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Empire State Development President and CEO and Commissioner Hope Knight said the project is part of a larger effort to change the way people experience the Genesee River and downtown Rochester.

“The ‘ROC the Riverway’ initiative continues to reimagine and transform the waterfront along the beautiful Genesee River, further bolstering Governor Hochul’s targeted efforts in the city. These strategic, inclusive investments to upgrade Genesee Crossroads Park, will help encourage more residents and visitors alike to explore and all that Downtown Rochester has to offer.”

State Senator Samra Brouk also pointed to accessibility as an important part of the project.

“The development of Genesee Crossroads Park and its emphasis on accessibility and renewal will strengthen our community’s mission to create spaces for all residents. With this revitalization project, Rochester will continue to drive progress, support local spaces, and attract visitors to enjoy our unique waterfronts.”

Assemblymember Harry Bronson described the park as another important part of the city’s waterfront plans and connected the project to earlier investments along the river.

“Genesee Crossroads Park is an exciting addition to the ROC the Riverway initiative to create gathering and viewing spaces. Thank you, Secretary of State Mosley, for investing in the revitalization of Rochester’s riverway to create a vibrant, welcoming destination for visitors and members of our community. I am proud of the work we’ve done as a State Delegation, with the support and partnership of Rochester Mayor Evans and Monroe County Executive Bello, to foster robust economic growth and bold new opportunities that highlight Rochester’s unique history and natural beauty. The Genesee Crossroads Park strengthens previous investments in the Austin Steward Plaza, the Sister Cities Pedestrian Bridge, and the Riverway Trail for a full-circle destination along the banks of the Genesee River.” Assemblymember Harry B. Bronson.

Rochester Mayor Malik D. Evans said the project will give people another reason to spend time along the river and enjoy the city’s outdoor spaces.

“ROC the Riverway creates opportunities for people to experience the beauty of our city,” said Rochester Mayor Malik D. Evans. “Great parks give us places to discover, gather, and simply stop, and take in what is around us. With the revitalization of Genesee Crossroads Park, we are giving nature room to reclaim this public space because we know that nature has a way of healing us. Thanks to Governor Hochul’s commitment to ROC the Riverway, we are transforming our waterfront into a place that welcomes everyone and strengthens our connection to the Genesee River.”

The Genesee Crossroads Park project is part of a much larger state and city investment in the Genesee River waterfront. ROC the Riverway began in 2018 as a partnership between New York State and Rochester, backed by a $50 million state funding commitment aimed at revitalizing the downtown portion of the Genesee River waterfront.

The initiative later entered a second phase. Governor Kathy Hochul launched Phase 2 in 2022 and has committed more than $175 million in additional state funding for riverfront projects. That broader funding includes $75 million in the current state budget for the first phase of the new High Falls State Park.

The riverfront work also builds on years of investment through the Environmental Protection Fund and the Local Waterfront Revitalization Program. Since 1990, those programs have leveraged $18.4 million in funding for waterfront-related efforts.

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Rochester has received other state support for downtown improvements as well. In 2021, the city was selected as a Round 5 Finger Lakes recipient of the Downtown Revitalization Initiative, receiving a $10 million grant. The DRI area borders the Genesee River and sits near the Sister Cities Bridge, placing it directly alongside the waterfront improvements that are now continuing.

The Local Waterfront Revitalization Program itself provides competitive matching grants to eligible cities, towns, villages and counties located along New York’s coasts or designated inland waterways. Funding can support planning, design and construction projects aimed at improving waterfront areas.

Through the program, the Department of State works with communities to protect natural and cultural resources, expand public access and support local economies. The goal is not simply to make waterfront areas look better, but to turn underused spaces into places that can support long-term and sustainable community development.

For Rochester, the Genesee Crossroads Park project adds another link to that larger vision. The park, bridge, plaza and trail system are being connected through a series of investments intended to make the Genesee River more accessible and active.

As construction gets underway, the $8.2 million project represents another step in the city’s effort to create a waterfront where residents can gather, visitors can explore and people can experience the river from more accessible public spaces. The work at Genesee Crossroads Park is expected to complement the improvements already made nearby while continuing Rochester’s long-term effort to transform the Genesee River corridor.