Rochester BID change: Mayor's new outreach proposal ditches downtown ambassador program

Mayor Malik Evans is proposing a pilot ambassador program that would provide community outreach on Jefferson and North Clinton Avenue.

A similar effort was proposed earlier this year that included a downtown ambassador program that would direct people to events, restaurants and attractions, but community voices rushed to City Hall urging the council to "split the bill."

Opponents of the initial legislation objected to linking resources for North Clinton and Jefferson Avenue with the downtown ambassador pilot programs. They expressed concerns that a connection could merge with endeavors to create a Business Improvement District in downtown Rochester.

More: Friendly faces or security team? Why hiring city ambassadors is so divisive in Rochester

"This will enhance the overall downtown experience for residents, visitors and wanderers," Rochester Downtown Development Corporation President and CEO Galin Brooks said about the potential impact of downtown ambassadors at a speak-to-council session on Sep. 19.

At the same session, Alice Carli, president of the grassroots social justice organization Metro Justice, said she didn't want her tax dollars spent to "make wealthy people more comfortable."

Evans initially requested $125,000 in city tax funds for the downtown program and $250,000 from opioid settlement dollars for the North Clinton and Jefferson pilot programs.

City council will vote on the current proposed legislation, which doesn't include downtown ambassadors, on Nov. 14.

Contact Robert Bell at: rlbell@gannett.com. Follow him on Twitter: @byrobbell & Instagram: @byrobbell. This coverage is only possible with support from our readers.

This article originally appeared on Rochester Democrat and Chronicle: Downtown Rochester ambassador program ditched from latest legislation