Rochester is home to ARTWalk, a permanent outdoor art trail connecting the art centers and public spaces along University Avenue in the city's southeast quadrant. The concept for ARTWalk started in 2001 when the City of Rochester joined neighbors, artists, and developers to devise a plan to revive the area.

Continuing the tradition, building on both the momentum created by ARTWalk’s proven success and an existing need to reconstruct a portion of University Avenue past the existing ARTWalk border, the City submitted a plan to replace aging streets and sidewalks with a continuation of the innovative urban art trail. The plan was the top rated project reviewed by the New York State Department of Transportation and received funding through the Transportation Enhancement Program.

In addition, since the project had already progressed through much of the design phase, it was considered a “shovel ready” site and was the recipient of more than $3.84 million in federal stimulus funding through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act.

The intent of the Art Walk Extension Project is to serve as an extension of the existing ARTWalk and provide a larger outdoor museum and gathering area for the entire region so residents of all ages can have free, safe, everyday access to extraordinary creative experiences.

Similar to the vision of the first portion of ARTWalk, this asset-based community development project is designed to boost real estate values and create opportunities for small business owners to thrive. It is also intended to strengthen Rochester’s competitive ability to attract and retain knowledge-based workers, jobs, and investment. It can also serve a role in helping to knit the community together, build ties between sectors, and ensure equitable access to cultural resources. « less