Empire State Development and Rochester Mayor Malik D. Evans Announce Start of Construction On Main Street Addition and Improvements for the Joseph A. Floreano Rochester Riverside Convention Center

January 8, 2025

$5 Million NYS Investment Will Assist with Transformational Upgrades to Vital Downtown Facility

NYS Funding for the Project Provided Through “Finger Lakes Forward” – The Region’s Comprehensive Strategy to Revitalize Communities and Grow the Economy

Empire State Development (ESD), Rochester Mayor Malik D. Evans and other officials today marked the beginning of a transformational project at the Joseph A. Floreano Rochester Riverside Convention Center downtown. Upgrades will include a new building addition along Main Street to provide a glass-fronted event space, LED display panel and landscape planters, providing a more welcoming appearance to the facility. Thanks in part to $5 million in state funding through the Upstate Revitalization Initiative to the city’s ROC the Riverway plan, the $13 million project will also include repair work to the convention center’s façade, the addition of new bathrooms, and will improve accessibility for the south riverfront terrace. A 1,650-square-foot addition along Main Street will create a smaller and more modern event space and a brighter face for the convention center while the LED display will make it easier to advertise events. The Main Street addition, accessibility improvements and repairs are scheduled to be complete in 2026.

Empire State Development President, CEO & Commissioner Hope Knight said, “The upgrades to the Rochester Riverside Convention Center, supported through the Upstate Revitalization and ROC the Riverway Initiatives, are part of our focused blueprint to enhance commercial activity and vibrancy in downtown Rochester. Working with dedicated local partners, we are helping Rochester leverage the value and appeal of its waterfront and solidify the city’s identify as a bustling destination for residents and visitors alike.”

“The Rochester Riverside Convention Center has been a community resource and an economic driver for the city since it opened,” said Mayor Malik D. Evans. “For visitors, it is often the first impression they get of our city. That’s why our convention center must reflect the energy, optimism and prosperity that is modern-day Rochester. We offer a huge ‘thank you’ to Gov. Hochul and the State of New York for recognizing the importance of updating this downtown landmark.”

“ROC The Riverway” is a collaborative effort of the state, city and regional economic development partners aimed at revitalizing the area along the Genesee River. In addition to the Convention Center Upgrades, the phase one of the targeted effort has phase one included investments in 13 targeted projects, all of which have been completed or are currently under construction or design. Phase two of the initiative, launched by Governor Kathy Hochul in 2023, is highlighted by the establishment of High Falls State Park within the historic Genesee River gorge in downtown Rochester.

The 1,650-square-foot addition is the first of several plans to expand and update the convention center should funding come available.

James D. Brown, Executive Director, Joseph A. Floreano Rochester Riverside Convention Center said, “The importance of this project should not be underestimated. The convention center operates in a highly competitive marketplace and improvements such as these that increase our footprint and add quality amenities are not only essential to our long-term health as a venue and a city but is an expectation by today’s meeting planners and the community it serves.”

The Rochester Riverside Convention Center first opened its doors in 1985, and its role and economic importance to the City of Rochester has only grown since then. Hosting more than 300,000 guests annually and generating more than $30 million in economic value, it has drawn crowds to Rochester for tradeshows, conferences, community events and weddings. During the pandemic, it provided a critical site where Foodlink volunteers sorted and boxed foods to feed thousands of people in the community in the midst of the crisis.

Stantec Consulting Inc. provided design and engineering servies for the project. Construction will be overseen by Liro Engineers, with general construction work done by Javen Construction Co., mechanical work by Crowby-Brownlie, Inc. and electrical work by Invictus Electrical LLC. All companies were selected through the City’s competitive bidding and request-for-proposals process.

State Senator Jeremy Cooney said, “The convention center is an economic anchor of Downtown Rochester, supporting jobs and providing a gathering place for visitors and area residents alike. I want to thank Governor Hochul, Empire State Development, and Mayor Evans for their commitment to upgrading this community cornerstone and for their dedication to revitalizing our great city.”

State Assemblymember Demond Meeks said, “The upgrades to the Joseph A. Floreano Rochester Riverside Convention Center are a testament to what we can achieve when we invest in our communities. The convention center is a cornerstone of downtown Rochester. The project reflects our shared commitment to accessibility and creating spaces where people can gather. I am proud to support initiatives like ROC the Riverway that invest in Rochester and encourage economic growth.”

State Assemblymember Harry Bronson said, “For decades, the Rochester Riverside Convention Center has served as an important and vital hub for our community, and with these upgrades, we will ensure this continues. When the state makes investments in community development projects such as this, we are supporting the economic resiliency of our entire Rochester region, and I thank Governor Hochul and Mayor Evans for their contributions to this initiative.”

Monroe County Executive Adam Bello said, “The Rochester Riverside Convention Center is a cornerstone of Downtown Rochester and has been a valuable resource for Monroe County for 40 years.Given its importance to our tourism industry, it is critical that the facility be updated to meet the demands of the competitive convention business, and these improvements are an important step in our overall plans for full modernization. We are grateful for Governor Hochul’s continuing commitment to the ROC the Riverway initiative and the positive impact it is already having on our local economy.”

Greater Rochester Chamber of Commerce President and Finger Lakes Regional Economic Development Council Co-Chair CEO Bob Duffy said, “Thank you to Governor Kathy Hochul, the Convention Center team, Empire State Development, and our other partners for this investment in downtown Rochester. Our Floreano Rochester Riverside Convention Center is a hub for economic activity in the region, bringing thousands of guests and visitors downtown. We appreciate the collaboration that has enabled these exciting renovations, making the facility better suited to reflect the world-class innovation and beauty found throughout Greater Rochester and attract more people to our city and region.”

For more about the Joseph A. Floreano Rochester Riverside Convention Center, visit: https://www.rrcc.com/.

For more information about ROC The Riverway, visit: https://www.cityofrochester.gov/departments/department-environmental-services/roc-riverway.

Accelerating Finger Lakes Forward

Today’s announcement complements “Finger Lakes Forward,” the region’s comprehensive strategy to generate robust economic growth and community development. The regionally designed plan focuses on investing in key industries including photonics, agriculture‎ and food production, and advanced manufacturing. More information is available here.

About Empire State Development

Empire State Development is New York's chief economic development agency, and promotes business growth, job creation, and greater economic opportunity throughout the state. With offices in each of the state's 10 regions, ESD oversees the Regional Economic Development Councils, supports broadband equity through the ConnectALL office, and is growing the workforce of tomorrow through the Office of Strategic Workforce Development. The agency engages with emerging and next generation industries like clean energy and semiconductor manufacturing looking to grow in New York State, operates a network of assistance centers to help small businesses grow and succeed, and promotes the state's world class tourism destinations through I LOVE NY. For more information, please visit esd.ny.gov, and connect with ESD on LinkedIn, Facebook and X.

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