Passero-designed Erie Harbor and Bridge Sq. honored by ACEC NY

Passero Associates, along with its clients Conifer Realty and Bridge Sq. LLC, is honored to have two projects, Erie Harbor and Bridge Sq., selected to win 2014 Engineering Excellence Awards from the American Council of Engineering Companies New York (ACEC NY). Erie Harbor, engineered by Passero for Conifer Realty, will be awarded an ACEC NY Gold Award in the Special Projects category. Bridge Square, engineered by Passero for Bridge Square LLC, will be awarded an ACEC NY Platinum Award in the Buildings category. The presentation of the awards will be made at a black tie gala on March 29th in the Grand Ballroom of The Waldorf Astoria, Park Avenue at 50th St. Erie Harbor, located at 275 MT Hope Ave., is a multifamily apartment project located on the Genesee River in Downtown. Conifer Realty, in conjunction with the city of Rochester, identified the property as a potential redevelopment opportunity for revitalizing the Genesee River corridor and South Wedge neighborhood. Erie Harbor is a successful redevelopment and re-use of a site which was previously an eyesore for the city of Rochester. Innovative engineering, support from the city and community involvement combined to allow project sponsors to clean up a Brownfield, enhance the gateway to Downtown, and connect neighborhood residents to the Genesee Riverway, all while maintaining a feasible and sustainable project solution and budget. Bridge Square, located at 242 West Main St., is an 111-year old, trapezoidal, five-story brick building, formerly used as a factory, adjunct City Hall, and as a trade and high school, was an empty eyesore at the western edge of downtown Rochester. It has been transformed into a mixed-use, sustainable, urban structure with modern office space, retail, and loft-style residential living. This historic building, artfully renovated and designed, now serves as an anchor for this vibrant downtown neighborhood, bringing over 100 professionals to the area to live and work. The area has been designated as an historic district and the Bridge Square Building was carefully renovated and restored in accordance with the National Park Service Historic preservation guidelines. LEED Gold certification has been awarded for the Core and Shell. This successful renovation honors the past, present and future of a vital urban area.