Interfaith Action
Organizing for the Common Good
410 Chili Avenue, Rochester, New York 14611
(585) 235-2590 voice    (585) 235-6122 fax    ia.pico@frontiernet.net  e-mail
an affiliate of the PICO national organizing network  
 
NEWS ADVISORY - February 11, 2004
 
 
City & Interfaith Action Collaboration is
Transforming West Side Neighborhoods
 
 
Mayor Bill Johnson and the leaders of Interfaith Action will announce a major collaborative effort aimed at transforming sections of 3 city neighborhoods on Rochester’s west side. The announcement will be made at a news conference on Friday, February 20, at 10:00 am.
Interfaith Action leaders, NBN sector and neighborhood representatives, and city officials have been working for two years to spur the redevelopment of three troubled west side neighborhoods.
The collaboration brings together Mayor Johnson’s Rochester 2010 Plan, the Neighbors Building Neighborhoods planning process in Sectors 3 and 4, and Interfaith Action’s Raise a Roof! Initiative. The targeted areas include Chili Avenue between Sherwood and Turner Streets and the residential community around it; the historic Jones Park neighborhood north of Lyell Avenue and near the new soccer stadium; and Sebastian Park, an urban park on Planet Street.
Already, Interfaith Action, neighborhood and city officials have made significant investments in these areas:
§         In all three neighborhoods, Interfaith Action leaders have reached out to hundreds of families, businesses and individuals to hear their concerns and engage them in redeveloping their neighborhoods.
§         The City of Rochester, along with state and federal agencies, committed $7.5 million to rebuild Chili Avenue from Bulls Head to the Erie Canal. The project will be completed in the winter of 2004-2005. One hundred residents helped traffic engineers create a new streetscape design. Four hundred residents participated in a University of Rochester study about the district’s future.  Businesses have invested more than $200,000 to improve their buildings. A business identified as a public nuisance was permanently closed. Roberts Wesleyan College conducted a demographic and marketing study. Street sweeping and garbage collection has been increased. Residents have expanded the Peacemakers Community Garden and conducted regular neighborhood clean-ups.
§         In the historic Jones Park neighborhood, the City has demolished 7 derelict buildings and closed several drug houses. Hundreds of residents gathered to endorse a new vision calling for rebuilding the neighborhood. Residents successfully organized to prevent the opening of 2 night clubs with live entertainment. With the help of Interfaith Action, landlords created their own association. The neighborhood’s first “strategic neighbor” was recruited to rehab a property and live on Ambrose Street. Through the spring, summer and fall, residents conduct weekly clean-ups. NBN Sector 3 planted a community garden at the corner of Spencer and North Plymouth.
§         The City Forestry Bureau and residents teamed up to rebuild Sebastian Park’s Forever Wild section. Meanwhile, the city demolished a derelict building located in the park.
 
At the news conference, city officials and Interfaith Action leaders will announce their next steps in the redevelopment of these three neighborhoods.
 
WHO                Rochester Mayor Bill Johnson, City Council members Wade Norwood, Bob Stevenson, Bill Pritchard and Adam McFadden, Interfaith Action pastors and leaders, Sector and neighborhood leaders, city agencies (Community Development, Economic Development, Parks & Recreation, NET and Environmental Services), state legislators, University of Rochester, Roberts Wesleyan College, Raskob Foundation, Rochester Area Community Foundation, Catholic Campaign for Human Development, NBN Sectors 3 & 4 and other community organizations.
 
Interfaith Action is a Monroe County-based federation of congregations and business alliances dedicated to organizing for the common good.  It is affiliated with PICO, a national network of 50 community organizations spanning 17 states across the nation.
 
WHAT               Announcing a collaborative venture involving the City of Rochester and Interfaith Action, along with other partners, to transform three city neighborhoods.
 
WHEN              Friday, February 20, 2004 at 10:00 a.m.
 
WHERE             St. Augustine Church, 390 Chili Avenue (corner of Lozier and Chili).
 
NOTE               Mayor Bill Johnson, city officials, Interfaith Action leaders, Sector and neighborhood leaders, and others will be available for interview.  In addition, community residents will be available for interviews in the neighborhoods affected.