Rochester is a city on the rise. That was the message of Mayor Malik D. Evans “state of the city” address Wednesday night at the Arbors Midtown before a crowd of city, school, county and state officials and others.
While the mayor, who took office in 2022, struck a positive note and touted his administration’s successes in his hourlong address, he acknowledge there is still work to be done critical issues, including public safety, affordable housing, economic growth and revitalization.
“We have had to transform and adapt. And things are getting better with each new day because of our collective work and toil … I stand before you tonight to report that the State of Our City is strong and getting better every day because of our residents,” he said.
His speech, peppered with historical quotes and Biblical scripture references, centered on his repeated mantra.
“Perceive this new thing that springs forth,” Evans repeated as he delivered his remarks. “Perceive how we are creating a safer Rochester…Perceive how we are creating a more equitable Rochester…Perceive how we are a more prosperous Rochester because we are positioning our city for growth and preparing for more.”
Here are some takeaways from the annual address:
Public Safety remains a priority
Evans touted a lower crime rate, focusing on the reduction in gun violence in the city over the past two years.
“We’re bringing crime and violence under control with our strategy of prevention, intervention, and suppression. We convened unprecedented partnerships with law enforcement and public safety agencies at the county, state, and federal levels to address illegal guns, the most violent offenders, and the areas of the city with the highest incidents of violence,” he said.
He said: “Shootings are down 31 percent. Firearm-related deaths are down by 29 percent, and total homicides have fallen by 32 percent. And those numbers continue to fall.”
In 2021, there were a record high 81 homicides in Rochester. In 2023, the number was down to 58.
More:Homicide in Rochester dropped last year. Can efforts get us to pre-pandemic levels?
Evans said city and community leaders are attacking crime on multiple fronts, including getting illegal guns off the street and removing the most violent offenders. He said Rochester is a the first city police department in the United States to work round the clock with an ATF agent, who reviews “all gun arrests for the possibility for federal charges.”
“As a result, we’ve sent more than 100 violent offenders into federal custody, where they can no longer wreak havoc and perpetuate violence on our streets. And the (police department) took more than 800 illegal guns off the streets last year,” Evans said.
More:Gun violence in Rochester is down. ‘Public safety is our top priority,’ Mayor says.
Affordable housing and housing development
Evans said secure, affordable housing is key to breaking the cycle of poverty in the city. He talked about several programs, workshop, financial literarcy programs and funding incentitves to move residents from renting to homeownership or into rents they can afford. He said for the sity to prosper all residents most have opportunites for economic mobility and genertional wealth.
He said these housing projects are moving forward:
In two years, Evans said the city has buikt or renovated “more than 1,000 market-rate rental units and almost 1,700 affordable units; including 72 for extremely low-income residents and 689 for very low-income residents—for a total investment of an astonishing $685 million.” City programs have also aided closings on 118 homes, he said.
ROC the Riverway Revitalization
The mayor highlighted these projects in the multi-year, many phased riverwat revitalization effort that officials say drives both huge investment across the city and draws more people and businesses to the downtown district
More:Rochester Riverside Convention Center set for renovations in 2024
- Near completion of the new street design in the Aqueduct District and the Main Street Bridge area;
- Upgraded Genesee Gateway Park and High Falls Terrace Park, including the new Brewery Line Trail that extends the path from the Pont de Rennes across the river.
- Planned upgrade to St. Paul Street Underpass to for bike and walking traffic
- Launch of second and third phases of the ROC City Skatepark; and
- Complete the Sister Cities Bridge.
In all, Evans said since 2022, Rochester has seen more than 40 infrastructure projects, including several that have been completed. He said they total nearly $300 million in investments and employed thousands in construction jobs.
