City of Rochester issued requests for proposals for possible sales of Court Street, Washington Square parking garages

The City of Rochester has put out two Requests for Proposals (RFP), one for the Court Street parking garage and the other for the Washington Square parking garage.

“We are moving forward with divesting ourselves of the business of owning and operating parking garages,” said Mayor Malik D. Evans. “Selling these garages and getting them back on the tax rolls allows us to direct our resources to other projects in the community.”

The request for proposals (RFP) for the prospective sale of the East End and Mortimer garages was released by the City in June 2022, and the City is presently working to pick a bid. The sale of more garages might result in the issuance of others as well. All final sales agreements need the approval of the City Council.

One of the prerequisites for the sale of the two city-owned garages is the presentation of a comprehensive long-term plan for both the garages’ rates of parking and their upkeep. This prerequisite is in place until June of 2025.

The Court Street Parking Garage was constructed in 1996 and has a six-story parking structure with 1,001 parking spots and four electric vehicle charging ports, or stations. The Garage can be found on a lot that spans 1.13 acres and is situated in the heart of downtown Rochester.

Parking is available in the Washington Square Parking Garage, which can be found at 250 S. The parking structure at Clinton Avenue was constructed in 1989 and has a total of six floors, 1,253 parking spots, and four charging stations for electric vehicles (EVs). The Geva Theater, St. Mary’s Church, Manhattan Square Park, The Rochester Model Railroad Club, and the headquarters building of ESL Federal Credit Union are all within walking distance from the property.

The department of Neighborhood and Business Development will accept offers from prospective purchasers up to November 29. The deadline for submitting ideas has been set. In the event that any sales agreements are proposed to the City Council and receive their approval, the transfer would not take place until the end of 2022 or the beginning of 2023.