Rochester Reporter

Mayor Malik D. Evans was joined today by Lieutenant Governor Antonio Delgado and other officials to cut a ribbon celebrating the dedication of Austin Steward Plaza and the completion of a major renovation at the site.

Located in Downtown along the west bank of the Genesee River between Main and Andrews Streets, the more than $20 million renovation project (formerly Major Charles Carroll Plaza) is the largest of the 13 ROC the Riverway projects that began with a visionary investment of $50 million from New York State.

The redesigned plaza maximizes visibility and scenic views of the Genesee River and improves linkages through the plaza to create a dynamic pedestrian network. The plaza is an essential link in the Genesee Riverway Trail system, a designated National Recreation Trail that provides pedestrian access along the river. With its unique “river flow” design concept based on the movement of the Genesee River, the plaza improvements create a new riverfront public urban space with park seating, a public promenade, green space, and opportunities for public art. Safety and accessibility upgrades were completed. The plaza sits atop the 658-space Genesee Crossroads parking garage, which received structural repairs and roof waterproofing.

“This site was not just in need of repair; it was crying out for revitalization,” said Mayor Malik D. Evans. “Today, we stand on more than three acres of redesigned public space, meticulously crafted to mirror the graceful flow of the Genesee River itself. I extend my gratitude to Governor Kathy Hochul for investing in our city. Austin Steward Plaza isn’t just a place; it’s a testament to our city’s resilience and ambition.”

Austin Steward was one of Rochester’s first prominent Black business owners, an entrepreneur who not only gained freedom from slavery but opened a successful business, operated the first school for black children in Rochester, and wrote his memoir “22 Years a Slave and 40 Years a Freeman.”

A City Council resolution was adopted in December 2021 to encourage surveying public places that commemorate slaveholders, and the Council approved renaming the plaza at its June 18, 2024 meeting.