Let's catch up a bit. In 2023, we had an exciting ReShaping Rochester Speaker Series with nationally recognized experts who presented on topics of urban and suburban retrofit (Ellen Dunham-Jones) transportation policies (Dr. Norman Garrick), design of public spaces (Victor Dover), housing practices (Laurie Volk) and public health (Larry Frank). The CDCR partnered with the Memorial Art Gallery (MAG) for the presentations coupled with pre-event social gatherings (aka, happy hour). The speakers were invited to attend a breakfast event the following morning hosted by our partners at Hinge Neighbors. All of our speakers presentations are available on the website cdcrochester.org/speakers.

The CDCR hosted our 13th annual ReShaping Rochester Awards in early November at the Harro East Ballroom. The room was filled to capacity to hear our ‘Urban Observations’ speaker, Abby McHugh-Grifa of the Climate Solutions Accelerator and to celebrate outstanding design projects including:

• Zion Hill Senior Housing - SWBR, Rochester Management
• The Neighborhood of Play - Strong Museum of Play, Konar Properties, CJS Architects
• The Centennial Sculpture Park at the MAG - Memorial Art Gallery, Bayer Landscape Architecture (pictured below)

Like all families, the CCR has seen some changes. We welcome Brian Hathaway as our office and communications manager. Reinn Alexander, our former office manager has relocated to Gulfport, MS. Paulo Blanchi, our former design manager has relocated to Bologna, Italy to continue his studies (masters) in architecture and planning. We wish them both all the best.

Long time board members Monica McCullough and Vanessa Villeneuve have fulfilled their terms on the board. We thank them for their vision and guidance. Both are personally and professionally committed to our mission and will be continuing to offer wisdom and expertise.

We want to welcome new volunteers, offering design and technical assistance; Ben Blades of SWBR, Pamela Delaney of ESRI (ArcGIS), Allison Martin (GIS Specialist) with the City of Rochester and Blynn Nelson of CJS Architects. We look forward to our collaborations with our volunteers. Angela Richards, a longtime office manager and social media consultant with CDCR and her husband are expecting their second child in May of 2024. We are very excited for them both.

With the pandemic and passing of Maria the CDCR focused on ReShaping Rochester Speakers and Awards programs. Our board and the community have expressed the need to return to our design workshops (formerly referred to as charrettes) as our primary means of educating and advocating for good design across the community. We will be collaborating with our peer organizations - Reconnect Rochester, Hinge Neighbors, Greentopia, Climate Solutions Accelerator, and Roc Growth - to work closely with residents, businesses and government staff to understand neighborhood concerns and find creative solutions we currently have three projects to tell you about.

This will be the 14th year of our ReShaping Rochester Awards program to celebrate excellence in design and advocacy. Our Awards Committee is thinking of a creative gathering event to have this celebration in collaboration with peer organization. Your ideas are most welcome!

We welcome all who would like to volunteer to assist the CDCR in organization of events and research of current development and land use legislation. Visit our website, cdcrochester.org/volunteers or email us at [email protected].

Be sure to reach out at that email address with any other questions or ideas!