Ren Square – Done Deal, or Just Done

Rochester, N.Y.) City Council and Mayor Bob Duffy met in private and decided on a plan that would save the $24 million in federal money meant for the Renaissance Square Project. The mysterious plan could mean the project is a done deal -- or just done.County Executive Maggie Brooks said, "I'm encouraged by that movement. That's definitely progress for Renaissance Square." But…Brooks doesn't know what city leaders decided in private. But she said their plan to transfer property for Renaissance Square must still include the property needed for a performing arts center.Changing the plan now could lead the federal government to take millions of dollars away."Those are the kinds of things that will throw the schedule back a year or 18 months, and those are the things that will actually really hamper our ability to move forward with this in any way," Brooks said.RGRTA’s Mark Aesch agreed that if Mayor Duffy wants to ditch the performing arts center, he's risking funding for the entire project. "I would hope that everyone shares the commitment of preserving the money that Senator Schumer worked so hard to get here," Aesch said.In a statement, Schumer's office said, "We have not seen the details of the plan, so we do not know if the deadlines can be met. We hope so."With the mayor keeping mum about specifics, the county executive can only wonder what he'll announce on Wednesday, and why it's been so difficult to get everyone on the same side.If city leaders announce that they're willing to clear the property for the entire project, including the performing arts center, there will be no drama. Demolition and construction would start later this year.If city leaders announce they'll allow acquisition of property for everything but the arts center, there will be a vigorous debate, possibly some drama. The mayor says his plan will preserve the federal funding, but Brooks and Aesch say federal funding would be lost without the arts center. We'll all find out on Wednesday.