GROVE PLACE ASSOCIATION                                                                                    Sept. 23, 2001    4:00 PM

General Meeting                                                                                                                   YMCA

 

Present:  D. & P. Moonan, L. Garrenton, M. Buonocore, M. & D. Klass, J. Gregory, J. Lovenheim, S. Bovay, H. & K. McDonald, B. Keck, G. Weyerts, J. Mason, S. & M.L. Schwartzberg, V. Davidson, J. Davis, C. Jensen, S. & S. Levinson, M. Powell, M. Burgeson, P. & S. Pineo, B. Strasenburg, E. VanVoorhis, G. Radtke, M. &  S. Shapiro, T. Belcher

 

1.                    President Sue Bovay welcomed the group and thanked YMCA Director Jonathan Davis for accommodating us while construction is going on in the building.  Sue also thanked Jonathan for the use of tables and chairs from the Y at our recent GPA picnic.  Additionally, Cindy Martin and her crew were applauded for doing a wonderful job of running the picnic, and Diane Moonan was thanked for her contributions to the GPA Minutes in the Secretary’s absence.  Sue also wished Cindy well as she prepares for her move to San Francisco.

 

2.                    The minutes of the last General Meeting were read by Secretary Judy Gregory and approved with the correction of Karen Noble Hansen’s name in item # 11.

 

3.                    In lieu of Treasurer Elta Green’s absence, Sue reported a balance of about $10,000 in the GPA account.

 

4.                    Sue also updated the group for Art Committee Chair Roz Goldman, stating that another RIT student-designed bench will be installed on Grove St.  Another proposed RIT competition for artwork for the Scio St. East End Garage did not get funded.

 

5.                    Marilyn Klass, Beautification Chair, entered Symphony Terrace in this year’s City garden competition.  The site achieved a third place finish.

 

6.                    Sue reported that new paver replacements will be added to neighborhood sidewalks this fall.

 

7.                    Mary Lou Schwartzberg, Membership Chair, asked that any corrections to the newly printed GPA Membership List be passed along to her.  She also asked for volunteers to sign up for receptions following upcoming meetings.

 

8.                    John Lovenheim updated everyone on Sector V activities.  The Sector will be applying for money from the City’s $100,000 Sector Targeted Initiative Program, probably in conjunction with the Grove/Gibbs Townhouse Project.  He announced that the Temple Building will be converted to lofts, as will the upper floors of the Michaels Sterns Building which will also be housing the Catholic Family Services organization.  The Downstairs Cabaret has purchased its building from the Cathay Pagoda owner, and “Max’s” is the name of a new restaurant going into the Eastman Place space formerly occupied by the “Brasserie”.  Another new Chinese restaurant is occupying the site at the corner of East Main and Richmond Sts.  Pyramid Art Center, soon to become known as the Rochester Contemporary will move into space at 137 East Avenue.  Finally, John reported that a Buffalo firm has been hired to work with the Urban Design Committee on the new City zoning project which will shift zoning codes from a use focus to a design focus.

 

9.                    Sue announced that the first GPA (Great Person Award) has been presented to Bob Keck for donating his skills as the GPA Webmaster.

 

10.                 Officer Tom Belcher read the crime report for the downtown area within the Inner Loop for the time span of 9/2 to 9/18.  Nothing serious has occurred in the GP neighborhood, but the Klasses reported having some porch furniture stolen recently.  Paul Pineo, Sue Bovay and Miriam Shapiro have met with local Police to address concerns and perceptions about crime in our area.  Sue reported that as a result of that meeting, a Neighborhood Watch-type program is being considered.

 

11.                 John introduced speaker Craig Jensen, GPA neighbor and partner in Macon, Chaintreuil, Jensen & Stark Architects, who presented current plans for the Grove/Gibbs St. Townhouse Development.  Using architectural renderings, Craig presented the plans for nine new townhomes to be built on the site of the vacant Craig Autometrics building.  A joint venture agreement has been worked out with property owner Jean Casey and a builder has been identified to construct the homes which will range in size from 2000 sq. feet to 2500 sq. feet and will each have two-car garages.  Two of the residences will be constructed on Gibbs St. and the remaining seven will be on the Grove St. side of the property, with a common space/courtyard in between.

 

12.                 Sue introduced Neighborhood Conservation Officer Mike Powell who will replace Dave Hershkowitz.  Mike defined his job as dealing with residential code enforcement and quality of life issues.

 

13.                 The group’s attention was called to a number of upcoming events of interest to GPA attendees.  Additionally, Jonathan Davis offered interested parties a tour of the newly redone areas of the YMCA, and Sandy Shapiro reminded the group that the “Books Sandwiched In” series begins at the Library on Tuesday.

 

14.                 Our next meeting will be on October 28^th, and our speaker will be Margaret Wuerstle, Director of Zoning for the City.

 

 

 

The meeting was adjourned at 5:00 PM.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Respectfully submitted,

 

 

 

 

Judy Gregory, Secretary