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Council approves $59 million state grant application for Riverside Convention Center despite dissent
Summary
Council committee voted to accept a state grant application for roughly $59 million to modernize the Joseph A. Floriano Rochester Riverside Convention Center; some members said the funds would be better spent on housing or direct resident services and requested written grant details and wage information.
The Parks and Public Works Committee approved an application and related grant agreements to pursue state funding for modernization of the Joseph A. Floriano Rochester Riverside Convention Center, with council members divided over priorities.
Council staff stated that the grant award amount is “north of $59,000,000.” Councilmember Lupien said the money could be used for other projects that more directly help residents and announced she would vote no. Council President Miguel A. Melendez Jr. said he would vote yes, arguing the convention center supports local employment and downtown businesses.
Melendez said the center has not had a “significant investment” in many years and described the modernization as an opportunity to attract more conventions and downtown economic activity. Councilmember Lupien and Councilmember Bluebeam (recorded in transcript as opposing) said they would prefer funds be directed toward housing and direct resident services.
Councilmembers asked administration to provide written details about the grant requirements and limitations, including what projects could and could not be funded under the state program, and also requested a breakdown of wages for convention center workers from senior leadership to janitorial and food-service staff. Councilmember Martin asked for the grant’s application requirements, a description of eligible projects, and wage data; administration agreed to provide the requested information in writing.
Despite the objections, the committee moved, seconded and recorded the motion as carried. The record includes at least one “no” vote on policy grounds and several councilmembers expressing support; the committee adopted the introductory items tied to the convention center grant and a related $1,055,000 bond ordinance for chiller rehabilitation as separate items elsewhere on the agenda.
Council discussion also referenced related private-sector investments nearby, including state-funded rehabs of adjacent hotel properties intended to support the convention center’s viability. Councilmembers asked the administration to supply grant constraints and wage information for the official record.
