(Rochester, N.Y.) – Mayor Robert Duffy urged the Rochester Broadway Theatre League to consider Midtown Plaza for a new performing arts center, but he expressed skepticism about the project’s ability to raise funds.
Unlike his suburban counterparts, Duffy didn’t bring architects, engineers, construction experts, or private developers. He did not talk about how many people live within driving distance of downtown. He did not use any charts, photographs, or renderings. He did not spend a lot of time extolling downtown’s benefits or the infrastructure of the Midtown site.
RBTL had requested such information from each of the locations under consideration.
Instead, the mayor briefly told RBTL that it should build a theater at Midtown because the community wants it located downtown.
“The city has always and continued to want a downtown theater,” Duffy said.
Duffy added, however, that he has no idea who would own it, build it, or pay for it.
“We've always wanted a theater. The issue is the finances,” he said. “In this particular case, the only way it can happen is if the city, the county, our state delegation, our federal delegation, RBTL, our business community and our general community get together.”
The city has not identified a developer. All of the suburban contenders have private development involvement, and RBTL officials say some have offered their own funds.
“They need enormous amounts of state money to build it. I don't think any developer is going to come in on their own and build,” Duffy said, adding that he does not think state money will come easily, if at all.
Duffy would like to recruit help from Monroe County Executive Maggie Brooks, which could prove difficult. The mayor strongly opposed her downtown theater project at Renaissance Square, primarily because it lacked funding.
Duffy and Brooks were scheduled to meet at 4 p.m. Monday to discuss a theater. A county spokesman said Brooks is unlikely to offer exclusive support for Midtown.
“She also thinks there are several other towns that have worthy theater proposals,” said Noah Lebowitz. “Her main interest is that there be a suitable theater in Monroe County.”
RBTL Chairman Arnold Rothschild said the committee needs to hear more specifics from the city.
“No matter what site we choose, we have to be assured we can build there. It sounds like there is a lot of work, a lot of government orchestration to be done based on what he is proposing, and hopefully he can do that,” Rothschild said.
The other sites under consideration are Canal Ponds Business Park, Clinton Crossings, Finger Lakes Gaming and Racetrack, Medley Centre, and a former Xerox facility in Webster.
