Thank you, Rochester, for contributing to the success of our 2nd annual Downtown Definitely Events series!

Featuring family-friendly activities, food and drink events, lively music performances, and movie screenings, Downtown Definitely Events attracted over 16,000 people to the heart of the city.

These 14 free events from June to October provided fun, festive, and family-friendly activities for area residents, workers, and visitors. Highlights included Midday Bash, RPO under the Stars, Movies with a Downtown View, Fall Fest, and the debut of Play Day on the Riverway. Stay tuned for 2024!

This year downtown welcomed an array of new businesses. From innovative startups to charming eateries, each new establishment contributes uniquely to our community's vibrancy. Check out the list below and make plans to check out the unique local offerings in 2024 and beyond!

260 Wine and Spirits

Arbor Midtown

B+ Healthy Fresh Food Market

Cassie's Citchen

Dice Versa

Dream Town Deli

Frenchman Street

Lila's

Rochester Tailored Clothing

SunDensity

Unwine'd

Yearly favorites made their return to downtown Rochester, including Party in the Park, Rochester Fringe Festival, Roc Holiday Village, and the Rochester International Jazz Festival. These beloved traditions continue to create memories for countless Rochesterians year after year!

Party in the Park

Rochester Fringe Festival

Roc Holiday Village

Rochester International Jazz Festival

2023 saw several exciting development projects cross the finish line as well as some that are just beginning. These projects continue to support ongoing revitalization in the heart of our city. In 2024, look out for new projects to begin or come online, such as Constellation Brands' world headquarters, and the Downtown Revitalization Initiative designees.

The Strong National Museum of Play Expansion

Hampton Inn — Neighborhood of Play

Center City Courtyard

The Glenny Building

State Street Reconstruction Project

In November 2023, The Partnership for Downtown Rochester (PDR) released a draft district plan for a potential Downtown Rochester Business Improvement District (BID). At the intersection of people, place, and economy, BIDs leverage new resources to generate activities and services that strengthen local economies, stimulate vibrancy, and create inclusive communities.

The draft district plan is a direct response to the broad and diverse community input received over the past year, from over 1,000 community members at more than 35 events. Thanks to the public input received and leadership from a diverse group of community builders, this process identified clear needs for downtown that business improvement district (BID) services can directly address: Marketing, Events & Activations; Small Business & Livability; Hospitality; and Beautification & Maintenance; along with support for social services.

Community input received will inform revisions to the draft district plan by the BID Formation Committee. In 2024, a revised district plan will be presented to property owners for petition and, if there is a majority of support from property owners, to the Rochester City Council for review. The City Council will then need to vote on the proposed plan. If it advances, City Council will hold a public hearing to receive feedback on the proposal, as well as complete several more steps in the process before a Downtown Rochester BID could be established.

Keep up-to-date on the effort for a potential Downtown Rochester BID here.