The Work We Do

We’re Activating Neighborhoods

Rochester, like many cities across the country, has public spaces that are poorly designed, poorly maintained, and inequitably distributed. Many people in our community live with little-to-no access to services such as laundromats or grocery stores. Green space does not exist. Affordable housing is lacking. Public maintenance is dismal. Access to arts and cultural activities is limited.

We are working to change that.

Hinge’s Impact

In 1959, Rochester targeted the 16th Ward to get rid of the blight to create a barrier to the more affluent city center. The goal of the Inner Loop was to move automobiles through the city. It resulted in streets and buildings being demolished, displacing 262 people and businesses.

No new housing was created for the displaced individuals, nor was there assistance in moving to new areas. Instead of new opportunities and better roads, our neighbors were left with the loss of friends, neighborhood amenities, and isolation. Gone was the community they loved, and all rebuilding efforts have struggled in its wake.

We have seen the continued stress that our neighbors have suffered and the distrust with which new city projects are greeted. We created Hinge Neighbors to help our neighbors build a community in which we had a say in the changes.

Community Building

The Historic Resources Survey

The Inner Loop North Project is what spurred Hinge Neighbors into action. We worried that this community would have no say in what was happening with the construction and transportation project, despite being in the middle of it.

We are focused on getting neighbors from both sides of the Inner Loop North to meet and work together to influence the ongoing street planning. We have done this by:

● Activating the neighborhood and finding champions

● Painting the mural on the Lewis Street YMCA

● Providing sanitization stations at the bus station, along Main Street, and at the corner of Main and Scio Street

● Working with students from School 58, New Bethel Church, and the Lewis Street Committee to develop presentations for the City of Rochester, City Council, and the Mayor of Rochester

And while our work has only just begun, the neighbors are continuing to come together to learn about zoning, the City’s comprehensive plan, and to influence neighborhood improvement.

Learn more about our events and where we’ll be meeting next!

Inner Loop North Transformation Project

The Historic Resources Survey

As the City’s report to fill in the Inner Loop North unfolded, Hinge Neighbors conducted four workshops to better educate the neighborhood about the Transformation Project – including comprehensive planning, zoning, housing types, streetscapes, and transportation.

Learn more about our workshops and what we’ve achieved during this process!

The Historic Resources Survey for Hinge Neighbors has been prepared by The Landmark Society of Western New York, with funding provided by ESL Charitable Foundation and AARP.

Oral history interviews and documentation courtesy of Hannah Davis.

Special thanks to the Lewis Street YMCA Neighborhood Center and the community members that participated in this process.