Mayor Lovely A. Warren was joined by Kisha Santiago-Martinez, Deputy Secretary of State in the N.Y. State Office of Planning, Development & Community Infrastructure to officially open the Promenade at Erie Harbor and announce the details of the 2019 ROC the Riverway Weekend.

“This new 20-foot-wide, 200-foot-long walkway gives unprecedented access to this part of the Genesee river and provides stunning, up-close views of the Court Street Dam and Downtown,” Mayor Warren said. “Thanks to the generosity of Gov. Andrew Cuomo and the New York State Department of State, the ROC the Riverway initiative is well underway, and by reengaging the river we continue our efforts to create more jobs, safer and more vibrant neighborhoods and better educational opportunities.

The Promenade, located off Court Street, is constructed along the east side of the Johnson-Seymour Mill Race. Together with the planned Rundel Library North Terrace and the Aqueduct Re-Imagined projects, it will help form a seamless connection along the western bank of the Genesee River. The New York Department of State contributed $1.44 million to the project and Gov. Andrew Cuomo has committed $50 million toward the overall ROC the Riverway initiative, 28 projects that will fundamentally transform Rochester’s riverfront.

New York Secretary of State Rossana Rosado said, “The Department of State is proud to have contributed to bring a new beautiful Erie Harbor promenade to Rochester. This waterfront transformation of an underutilized property will bring new recreational amenities and create a truly wonderful urban waterfront experience for the city, and this is just the beginning of great things to come. By providing a walkable waterfront, the city will attract visitors to the Genesee River and encourage economic development to the surrounding area.”

Mayor Warren also announced the details of ROC the Riverway weekend, Oct. 4 to 6. The longstanding series of events, formerly known as River Romance, is a celebration of Rochester’s history, centered along the Mighty Genesee.

In addition to its normal slew of activities and events, this year’s ROC the Riverway weekend will feature two new events, a tour of Kodak Tower Commons on Friday and “ROC the Chalk,” a pop-up event on the Broad Street Bridge Saturday with food, buskers and a community chalk art installation. There will also be a pop-up skate park and demonstration.

“This is the community’s chance to witness history in progress and learn how we continue to harness the natural beauty of the Genesee to build our community and grow our economy,” Mayor Warren said.

For more information on ROC the Riverway and ROC the Riverway weekend, visit www.cityofrochester.gov/roctheriverway.

For more information on the Erie Harbor Promenade, visit: www.cityofrochester.gov/erieharborpromenade.