Rochester Rail Transit Symposium
to be held on November 8th

The Rochester Rail Transit Committee in conjunction with the City of Rochester and the Downtown Community Forum will be holding the first Rochester symposium on rail transit on November 8 from Noon to 2:45 PM. "A Rail of Two Cities: What St. Louis and San Diego can teach Rochester about rail transit" will feature presentations by Bill Lieberman, Director of Planning and Operations for the San Diego Metropolitan Transit Development Board, and Tom Shrout, Executive Director of the Citizens for Modern Transit of St. Louis. The emphasis will be on real-life experiences with new light rail lines, especially the experience in using rail transit as a tool for urban revitalization and land use planning. There will be ample time for questions and answers.

The City of Rochester is underwriting the event in order to kick off discussion on rail transit in conjunction with the City's Light Rail and Economic Development Study. The study, funded by a State grant obtained by Assemblyman David Gantt, will focus on gauging the potential economic development and job-access impacts of a proposed LRT line from Charlotte through downtown to the University of Rochester. The study should begin in November and last 6 months.

The Symposium will consist of two portions. The main presentations (with Q&A) will be held from 12:00 - 1:30. After a brief break, the speakers will lead a seminar on the topics of livable cities and transit funding from 1:45 - 2:45. All are invited to attend the entire symposium, but those with time constraints may wish to only attend the main portion.

The event is free of charge and open to the public. Lunches may either be brown-bagged or purchased from the Downtown Community Forum catering. Those wishing to purchase a lunch through the DCF should reserve in advance. For additional information, please contact DeWain Feller (RRTC Chair) at 716 527-9619.

 
Date:     Friday, November 8 
Time:     12 Noon - 2:45 PM 
          12:00 - 1:30 Main presentations, Q&A 
          1:45 -2:45   Seminar (additional presentations and discussion) 

Location: Dugan Center St. Mary's Church 15 St. Mary's Place Rochester, New York 14607-1789