Many "Who Knew?" and "Wow!" moments await you at the 2009 INSIDE DOWNTOWN TOUR

Mark Twain famously said something like "the reports of my death have been greatly exaggerated" after his obituary was erroneously published in the New York Journal in 1897. This quotation has enjoyed wide usage in the ensuing century, employed by those needing to express that a certain expire did not actually transpire.

I succumb to the temptation to use this famous quote to describe downtown Rochester, to point out that in fact downtown is not only alive, but kicking rather auspiciously and enthusiastically. I must add that these are not the kickings of something clinging to life, but those of a group of energetic, enthusiastic, talented, and dedicated people responsible for downtown's progress and potential!

One great way to disavow any of your own grim notions of downtown's state--or similar notions planted into your head by others--is to join our upcoming, exciting INSIDE DOWNTOWN TOUR.

This annual tour, with tour opportunities on both Sept. 25 and 26, will be sure to provoke "Who Knew?" moments, and (re) invigorate your opinions and feelings about the present and future of our downtown.

This year, the tour focuses on the High Falls and Cascade Districts, where excellent urban living/working/playing is taking place within an array of beautiful renovated spaces and places, such as the Parry and Parazin Buildings, the Daily Record Building, and Buckingham Commons (whose rooftop terrace is by itself worth the price of the tour ticket). In addition, the tour will include a look at the Mills at High Falls, a handsome, brand-new residential development-- featuring 17 different floor plans--that's risen on the site of an old surface parking lot. The tour also includes a rare, behind-the-scenes look at the Frontier Field complex, a marquee piece of the High Falls and Cascade Districts!

On the evening on Friday, September 25, the tour invites you to High Falls to see fabulous office spaces of several firms that have made High Falls their home.

Some of you might remember that we featured High Falls just three years ago on our Inside Downtown Tour. Why do it again, you might wonder? Well, so much remarkable new development has occurred in just that time, that we felt strongly behooved to invite you back for another inspiring inside look at our impressive downtown.

Downtown is the core of the city that is the core of our region. It is an important place, and an increasingly interesting and exciting place to live, work, and play. Join us September 25 and 26 to witness the important and inspirational development ongoing in this core of the core!

by Evan Lowenstein

Evan is Coordinator of RochesterCityLiving at the Landmark Society.