August 2024

Rochester & Genesee Valley Railroad Museum

Design Workshop

The Rochester & Genesee Valley Railroad Museum hosted a productive design workshop on July 12th at its Route 251 location in Rush. Over 40 participants, including rail enthusiasts, historians, architects, and engineers, gathered to review the museum’s facilities, equipment, exhibits, and governance. The goal was to explore improvements for sustaining and growing the museum.

The museum site features two levels: the lower campus with the depot, parking, operational trains, and rail signal display; and the upper campus with restored rail cars, event space, and a large workshop. Access between the levels is provided by a scenic train ride and a volunteer-used access road.

Workshop participants were divided into five focus groups. Two groups assessed the lower campus, suggesting better signage, improved accessibility, and enhanced connectivity with the Lehigh Valley trail system. They also proposed expanding parking and addressing slope stabilization, with a focus on bus parking and upgrading the depot’s accessibility, restrooms and HVAC systems.

The upper campus groups recommended paving access to display cars, adding permanent restrooms, and installing shade structures. They emphasized the need for facilities for volunteers, including lockers and washrooms, and considered food concessions, with options for vending and food trucks. All groups agreed on the importance of organizing the site’s clutter to maintain its authentic feel while improving its presentation.

Recommendations included adding retaining walls for slope stabilization, enhancing infrastructure like water service and stormwater management, and expanding interactive and digital exhibits. Housing restored rail cars in new buildings for display and restoration was also suggested to improve visitor experience. Increasing visitor comfort, expanding food and beverage options, and boosting retail sales will be key to growth. Collaboration with peer museums and tourism groups will enhance visibility and support museum expansion.

The Rochester & Genesee Valley Railroad Museum and the Community Design Center Rochester will review these recommendations and provide a report with implementation strategies and priorities. Stay tuned to our websites and social media for updates on these exciting developments.

The Ibero American Development Corporation (IADC) and the Community Design Center Rochester (CDCR) are thrilled to kick off the exciting process of updating their vision plan! Having previously collaborated on a successful vision plan in 2015-2016, we're now ready to refresh and enhance it, reflecting the dynamic changes our community has experienced over the past 8 years.

We held our first Stakeholder Committee meeting on July 31st and have two more upcoming meetings on Wednesday, August 14th, and Wednesday, August 28th. Both meetings will begin at 5:30 PM at the IADC building, 216 Clifford Avenue. We invite everyone interested in shaping the future of our neighborhood to join the committee and be a part of this revitalizing process!

Since the 2016 vision plan, El Camino has seen many successful improvements, aligning projects with neighborhood goals. However, we recognize that recent challenges, such as the impact of the COVID pandemic, have left many feeling disconnected. This vision plan update aims to reignite community engagement and serve as a powerful "call to action" for both residents and business owners alike.

Our focus for the upcoming design workshop will include finding innovative solutions to address high living costs, job opportunities, and public safety concerns. We are particularly excited to explore new activities for children and young adults, making this a high-priority outcome.

The El Camino Vision Plan Update promises to be an engaging and inclusive process. We look forward to collaborating with neighbors, businesses, and stakeholders to create vibrant social and economic opportunities for everyone. Stay tuned to our website for updates on the design workshop schedule. We welcome all to join us in this journey towards a brighter future!

The CDCR Values Youth Engagement and Education

At the Community Design Center Rochester, we are deeply committed to the education and development of our community’s youth. We, alongside peer organizations, aim to introduce students to the design professions—including planning, architecture, landscape architecture, engineering, and public administration. By learning early about how these fields shape their environments, students have more time to consider their future career paths. Moreover, we want young people of all ages to know that their voices matter and that they can contribute to making their neighborhoods and cities vibrant and welcoming places to live. Planning and city building are not just for adults.

To further this goal, CDCR has engaged in several collaborations with youth and students this summer. Below are details about these activities. We are always eager to learn about additional programs for youth and encourage readers to share any opportunities they come across.

Rochester Museum & Science Center Curiosity Camp

The Rochester Museum & Science Center (RMSC) offers numerous educational programs, including their Curiosity Camp. This summer, CDCR collaborated with camp director Brian Hathaway and his team to introduce 6-8-year-old campers to the fields of architecture and engineering. CDCR board members and interns spent four weeks guiding the campers in understanding what makes streets, parks, and other public spaces engaging and enjoyable. After a brief introduction to design, campers used a variety of materials to create their own projects. Their models have included local and national parks, tree forts, pirate ships, and even the Twin Towers. The campers then presented their creations and shared their ideas. Both CDCR representatives and the campers thoroughly enjoyed this enriching experience.

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University of Rochester Urban Fellows

The University of Rochester’s Center for Community Engagement administers the Rochester Urban Fellows program, which connects undergraduates with community organizations, events, and dialogues on urban issues. This summer, the Urban Fellows visited the CDCR on July 31st. Dawn Noto, Troa Vimahi (RIT Intern), and Glenn Cerosaletti (UofR) led a discussion about CDCR’s community engagement and neighborhood planning efforts. Dawn Noto, also the president of the Susan B. Anthony Neighborhood Association, shared insights from her dual role at CDCR. Troa Vimahi discussed his internship work on the High Falls State Park and El Camino Vision Plan Updates. They emphasized the significance of community engagement across all age groups. CDCR and the UofR Center for Community Engagement look forward to continued collaboration through the Urban Fellows and other initiatives.

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Youth and Education Community Conversation

On August 2nd, CDCR held its monthly First Friday Community Conversation, focusing on the importance of involving youth in community planning and placemaking. The discussion covered the benefits of introducing design professions early in education and explored various educational issues, including curriculum development, engagement strategies, and the impact of segregation on educational systems.

Participants also discussed alternative educational venues and opportunities for students to apply their understanding of planning issues. Notable examples included ROC Paint Division by the City of Rochester, Project UNIQUE (arts in education), and the use of school and public library spaces. Additional programs such as boys and girls scouts, Climate Sustainability Clubs in high schools, recreation center programs, and local union trade training programs were also considered. The role of computer simulation games in city building was highlighted, with mention of RIT’s Magic Spell studios and Innovation Square’s gaming centers for students and recent graduates.

Looking ahead, CDCR plans to feature Youth & Education as a topic for our ReShaping Rochester Speaker Series in 2025. We discussed potential panelists and best practices, drawing inspiration from the Rochester Museum & Science Center’s successful public education efforts around the April Solar Eclipse. We will engage with Dan Schneiderman from RMSC to learn more about their approach and how it might be applied to our community planning initiatives.

If you are aware of programs that work with children and young adults to foster community involvement, please share them with us so we can help promote their efforts.

Email us at admin@rrcdc.org.

Congratulations to CDCR's Interim President, Mariam Yaqub

Robbie and Mariam are excited to announce their engagement! Their first date was a walk around the South Wedge in March of 2021, where they just bought a house. Robbie proposed to Mariam in their new home and they celebrated the occasion with both their families. She works for CJS Architects, and he works in cyber security. They are both passionate about their hobbies, Mariam about building resilient communities through her work at Community Design Rochester and Robbie as the lead vocalist in his band, Sedai. Both enjoy traveling to new countries and hope to continue to do so as they build their new life together. They are planning a Pakistani-American fusion wedding in the fall of 2025.