Community Design Center News...............................................August 2021
Awards Nominations Open thru September 10!
Submit nominations for our 11th Annual Reshaping Rochester Awards through September 10! The awards given will recognize exemplary projects and individuals in the Greater Rochester area that make a positive impact on people, neighborhoods, and communities. Awardees will be announced at the 11th Annual Awards Luncheon in November.


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Building the Equitable City: A Resource Guide
Curated by the CDCR & Rochester Community
We compiled a variety of resources to assist our thinking about issues of race, equity, and the ongoing construction of a city of fairness and justice. Since this is an ever-evolving and multi-faceted area of work, we have opted to make it a living and communal document; that means we graciously welcome comments and additions to what we have curated thus far and will continue to make our own updates, too.

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Summer Intern Reflection
From Mohammed "Mo" Bah, University of Rochester Urban Fellow

"Interning with CDCR this summer was a wonderful experience. As someone with an educational background in International Relations, I was fascinated to learn how urban planning and development are integrated with the concept of inclusion and providing equal opportunities for community members. I knew very little about urban planning when I began the internship. My experience with basic amenities in communities, community-driven planning, urban design, and planning of cities has been quite rewarding. At CDCR, among other things, I watched the Reshaping Rochester series, learned about the Rochester Zoning Alignment Project, attended urban planning presentations, and read articles from CNU and Bloomberg City Lab. The most interesting experience I had was working on an Urban Village Project in the Charlotte neighborhood of Rochester, New York, which was aimed at producing a comprehensive report about the community. As part of our project on urban villages, my co-intern (Paolo) and I surveyed the neighborhood to find out what is needed in that area. In addition, we met with community leaders to find out what their needs are and what changes they want to see in the neighborhood. These experiences have reshaped my understanding of urban planning and have given me a deeper appreciation for the necessity of cities to promote inclusive, adaptive, equitable, livable, and sustainable cities."
Local & Notable:
Image Credit: MetroPops
Movies with a Downtown View Return TONIGHT!

Once again, you can spend a handful of your Friday nights chilling on Parcel 5 and watching a FREE movie! After a hiatus in 2020, Movies with a Downtown View is officially back. The 2021 outdoor movie series will debut TONIGHT, August 6th with Black Panther ("doors" at 7:00pm, movie at 8:30pm). Food will be available from Le Petit Poutine, Neno's, & Rita's Italian Ice. Yum! This event is presented by Buckingham Properties and produced by the Washington Square Community Association in partnership with MetroPops and a variety of other sponsors.

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What's your vision for the Genesee River Corridor?

You're invited to take a survey to guide the work of the Genesee River Alliance! The Alliance creates connections and partnerships between neighbors, organizations, businesses, and other river stakeholders to help protect and gain access to the river along the length of the City.

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Image Credit: Jenn Beideman/Common Ground Health
How resident-led advocacy in Rochester, NY is creating a more playful city

"What is a city's role in mitigating toxic stress, supporting play, and prioritizing kids? Rochester, NY is showing how cities can support kids and families by advancing policy, systems, and environmental changes that prioritize the power of play."


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Concepts for Inner Loop North Revealed

The City recently released six draft concepts for the Inner Loop North Conversion Project and are seeking feedback. Senators Schumer and Gillibrand even spoke on the subject! This project aims to reconnect the public corridor with downtown Rochester.


Check this out:
Image Credit: Sasaki
Building Community: The Women of Sasaki Designing More Sustainable and Inclusive Futures

"Celebrating community, three interdisciplinary leaders of design firm Sasaki are building space for change. Defining the future through collective, contextual, and values-driven projects, they are showing how working together produces greater impact. Following the belief that better design comes through open exchange and deep engagement, each of these women are creating more sustainable and inclusive futures."

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Image Credit: Downtown Crenshaw Rising
The emerging solidarity economy: A primer on community ownership of real estate

"Residents in South Los Angeles' Crenshaw neighborhood are in the midst of a battle against developers -- seeking to block the sale of [a Plaza Mall] to institutional investors that would turn the property into luxury housing and threaten to displace the city's last majority-Black community...Black organizers raised this money to purchase and develop the prime commercial real estate into mixed-income housing, worker-owned cooperatives, and new green space for community benefit...If they are successful, it will be an unprecedented win in the fight for community control of commercial real estate."


See what our friends are doing:
Wednesday, Aug. 11 | 6:00pm-7:30pm | 3975 Lake Rd (14589)

Explore the trails and scenic views of Cornwall Preserve in Pultneyville! The hike will be 2-4 miles and followed by treats at Yia Yia's Ice Cream Shoppe in Williamsom.


Saturday, Aug. 28 | 5:00pm-8:00pm | Restored Barn, 2755 Penfield Rd (14450)

Bringing the late summer harvest to you in picnic form! This event supports the preservation of wildlife habitat, protection of local farms, and connections to nature in our community. Catered by Root Catering.

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Tuesday, Sept. 14 - Wednesday, Sept. 15

Experience all the Frank Lloyd Wright sites and arts & crafts locations with this overnight visit to our Western New York neighbor. Attendees will tour, sightsee, spend a night at The Roycroft Inn, and check out the charming East Aurora. Transportation, entrance fees, gratuities, and meals included in ticket price.

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Tuesday, Aug. 31 | 7:00pm-8:30pm | Zoom

The Young Urban Preservationists (YUPs) are at it again! This time they're offering a rundown of American architectural styles from the Colonial era through the 19th century, with a focus on local and regional examples.