http://www.postbulletin.com/news/local/ ... 4db93.html
The miracle mile development was approved last night despite many well-reasoned arguments against it. I can't help but feel this was primarily a result of it only being brought to the council once, rather than as a two-step approval. The developers never revealed whether or not they would consider revising the project if it was denied by the council. Listening to both sides, it seems clear that the developers never made urban design a priority of the development. As a result, this will likely remain a suburban development facing the highway, in what should have been a town center style neighborhood. If they ever build a sound wall along that section of the highway, then every argument for the development facing the highway falls apart. This project clearly would never have been approved if it was located just slightly closer to downtown and therefore within DMC boundaries. Obviously, this is an improvement over the current situation, but that's not saying much. The city council ignored so many neighborhood concerns and missed out on an opportunity to start redevelopment in this area with strong urban design principles that fit into the neighborhood, rather than taking the easy route and building a slightly nicer strip mall.
It should be so obvious that people would much rather live in an apartment that faces the beautiful skyline of downtown Rochester rather than a busy 6-lane highway. And who's to say that part of the grocery store can't face the highway as well as 16th for visibility both directions.
Sorry for my little rant, but that's just my two cents after listening to much of the three-hour debate last night.