Developer seeks five-year 79-E tax break for hotel at 95 South Main; residents raise tax and parking concerns

The Rochester City Council heard a proposal to grant community revitalization tax relief (known as a 79‑E) for a hotel conversion at 95 South Main during its Dec. 17 meeting. John Gertinoe of Condo Development, the purchaser of the building, said the historic structure will be preserved and converted to a hotel the company expects to stabilize and appraise at about $10,000,000 within five years.

Gertinoe said the project would create roughly 15–20 local jobs and that the developer reduced an initial plan for 55 rooms to a smaller conversion to keep costs and timelines manageable. “Once it's stabilized and fully occupied, that building will appraise for a property of $10,000,000,” he said.

Several residents urged caution. State Representative Tom Kosinski told the council, “If you guys vote for this 79‑E, you will be voting for a tax increase for your constituents,” arguing that deferring taxes on improvements effectively shifts costs to other taxpayers. Christopher Rice, a local resident, supported the project but asked whether a 79‑E can apply to a fully commercial conversion and raised concerns about on‑site and shared parking capacity.

City staff and the developer answered council questions about timing and impacts. Gertinoe said a final planning meeting is scheduled for Feb. 3 and that construction would likely take 10–11 months from permit to opening. On parking, he said the 55‑room plan would require about 57 spaces and that the site includes roughly 95 spaces, with some easements that affect a few spots.

City officials said that approving a 79‑E is discretionary and that councilors may set terms or reject project‑level requests. The council took public comment and questioned the developer but did not record a final vote on the 79‑E in the transcript; the item remained in discussion for council consideration and potential scheduling for future action.