University Officials
Provide Updates to Neighbors

In response to concerns of neighborhood residents, University of Rochester officials met with area citizens on Monday evening, January 28th. A brief summary of the meeting follows:

• Teri D’Agostino, Director of Public Relations & Communications for the Medical Center, updated us on the UofR Non-Smoking Policy. Changes have been made to the non-smoking perimeter and a 2nd smoking area has been designated on the Elmwood Avenue side. The site on Castleman Road, where smoking is allowed, has been moved to the inside of the berm (on the side of the parking lot). Neighbors are reminded that signs (which read: Please respect our neighborhood; no loitering, no littering.) are still available by calling the PR office, 275-3676. Installation is provided. See smoke map.
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• Mary Ockenden, Director of Medical Center Space Planning, reported that the new Wilmot Cancer Center will open in May. To support the Cancer Center with chilled water, the new Chiller Plant, in the parking lot along Kendrick Road, will begin operations at the same time. The new Ambulatory Surgery Center, on Westfall Road near the Veterans Outreach Center, will break ground in April and will open in June 2009. The Clinical Translational Sciences Building (CTSB), one of twelve in the U.S., will be built adjacent to Helenwood Hall. This building is in the design stage now. More information will be provided at the May 5th meeting.
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• Parking issues in our neighborhood seem to be a constant complaint. University officials continue to work with us to
  resolve problems. We were advised to get license plate IDs if you believe a contractor’s truck is parking on your
  street. They are supposed to be parking at the Genesee Valley Ice Rink lot. Call the parking office at 275-1533 to
  report problems.
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• And finally, the PRISM (Pediatric Replacement and Imaging Sciences Modernization) project. The proposed expansion would increase Strong’s licensed bed capacity by 126 beds (53 pediatric, 53 adult). Two floors in the tower
  would be used for imaging sciences (radiology), plus there would be an expanded pharmacy and other support space.
  Construction is slated to begin in March 2009.

There were inquiries from neighbors about the proposed “College Town” along Mt. Hope Avenue. Officials explained that the details for this site are still in a planning phase, and are not yet available. They were hopeful that some of the details could be shared at our Spring General Meeting, to be held on Monday, May 5th.