Reclaiming Identity: Utilizing Historic Fabric to Revitalize Downtown Rochester
America's first boomtown, Rochester, New York, rapidly decentralized after World Ware II. Like other mid-sized industrial cities, Rochester struggled to retain residents and businesses as suburbia flourished. Recently, the city is witnessing a resurgence as national trends favor urban living. This growth coupled with initiatives to develop downtown, leads to Rochester's obligation to reclaim its identity on the Genesee River by adaptively reusing its historic structures, establishing public spaces, and developing vacant lots to benefit current and future residents and businesses. The development of downtown by respectfully utilizing historic fabric will address the unused skeletons of past endeavors by reclaiming these spaces.
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The opportunity to reclaim the abandoned Erie Canal aqueduct and Broad Street Bridge, through programming will fit the needs of downtown. The development of the structure as a centerpiece will assist in the city's revitalization effort and breathe life into the central business district.
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Above abstract from thesis publication "Reclaiming Identity: Utilizing Historic Structures to Revitalize Downtown Rochester", University of Maryland (College Park, Md.), 2019.
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Thesis defense is available here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BUDvhASOcCY&t=346s
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Board 1, 2, and 3 which illustrate the history of the Broad Street Bridge as a key piece of Rochester's urban development and transportation history.
Boards 4, 5 and 6 highlighting the adaptive reuse and urban design plan of the Broad Street Bridge and immediate adjacent areas in downtown Rochester, NY.
Exploded axon of a portion of the proposed adaptive reuse of the Broad Street Bridge.