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Posted at: 11/12/2009 11:30 AM | WHEC.com Webster unveils proposed plans for RBTL performing arts center
Webster says its plan would be to build a performing arts center on Salt Road but now the City of Rochester is preparing to throw its hat back into the ring. Officials from Webster made their pitch today but after the presentation, the talk was about the City of Rochester’s continued interest in keeping RBTL downtown either by renovating the Auditorium Theatre or building a new theatre at Midtown. RBTL Chairman Arnie Rothschild said, “I got a phone call from the mayor late yesterday and he was drafting a letter to send over to RBTL. We have not received it, hopefully we'll receive it soon.” Late this afternoon, the mayor's office confirmed that a letter has been written and it echoes what Mayor Duffy told News 10NBC in September. “RBTL asked me about Midtown and I said if the Auditorium was not a viable site, I certainly would look at Midtown.” But the city is not making any formal proposal for a theatre at Midtown, at least not yet. The RBTL says if the city wants to be considered, serious conversations need to start very soon. Five suburban sites are already under consideration. Rothschild said, “I explained to the mayor yesterday, and he agreed that it can't change our process. What we have to do is go through the process that we told everyone we would go through and we will.” Today that meant hearing what Webster has on the table. The town wants to renovate a former Xerox office and storage facility on Salt Road, currently owned by E.J. Delmonte Corporation. If a performing arts center goes here, it will be right off of Route 104. Webster Town Supervisor Ronald Nesbitt said, “It has the parking and it has the access, you don't have to go through a whole bunch of traffic to get there. You can get on, you can get off easily.” Currently, RBTL plans to hear just one more proposal, from the town of Irondequoit next week. Rothschild said the site selection committee will move on to its next phase in early December. For more Rochester, N.Y. news go to our website www.whec.com.
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The town of Webster made its proposal today to become the new home to the Rochester Broadway Theatre League. 