UMNA
Upper Monroe Neighborhood Association
Culver Road Armory Update
Since initially being informed of the State’s decision to declare the Culver Road Armory surplus property, UMNA and twelve other community organizations have been meeting regularly to influence its development. To date, its major activities and accomplishments have included:
April 19, 2008
A meeting of impacted neighborhood organizations was organized by the Upper Monroe Neighborhood Association (UMNA) and the Third Rochester Enterprises Corporation (TREC). Mr. Chuck Thomas attended representing the City.
April 28, 2008
In support of the City’s request to the State for an extension, UMNA/TREC provided ten letters of support from various neighborhood organizations as well as a petition signed by 44 residents living in close proximity to the Armory.
June 12, 2008
UMNA/TREC hosted a community meeting at the Lake Riley lodge that included over sixty residents and many representatives from the involved City agencies.
July 8, 2008
As an outgrowth of the June 12th meeting, thirteen neighborhood organizations met to form the Armory Task Force with its primary objectives being: to keep neighbors informed, to “speak with one voice”, and to “have a seat at the table”. This group has met every two weeks since.
September 11, 2008
Helen Hogan and Bill Jones met with Zoning to discuss the process being proposed by the City to convert the Armory property from R-1 to a PD District.
September 15, 2008
The Armory Task Force finalized its review of potential development options for the facility and delivered a copy to the City’s Real Estate Department. In response to the City’s request for support of their plans to purchase the Armory, the Task Force developed and delivered to the City a letter signed by all thirteen member organizations.
September 16, 2008
The Task Force attended the City Council meeting to support the proposed purchase with three of its leaders speaking and six additional members of the Task Force in attendance. The purchase was approved unanimously.
Now that the City has control of the property the next steps will be to formally complete the purchase, to develop the actual Request for Proposal (RFP) document, solicit proposals, select a developer and get the property rezoned (it is currently listed as R-1 which is single family residential). Although no schedule has been established by the City for these activities, we do not expect these tasks can be completed and a developer be chosen before early next summer. The rezoning process itself will take three to six months.
Anyone having any questions is welcome to contact Bill Jones, co-chairman of the Task Force. He can be reached at 469-6776 or billjones@rochester.rr.com .
Hill Armory
What's the armory's future?
