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15 BIG THINGS THAT MADE GREATER ROC EVEN GREATER IN 2025

  • emmaalexander2
  • Dec 19, 2025
  • 3 min read

New spaces. Big ideas. Real momentum. Here’s what made this year one to remember for our nine-county region.


Jimmie Highsmith, Jr. playing the saxophone

New year, new energy. Bring on 2026.

 

But before we charge ahead, let’s pause and look at where we’ve been.

 

That’s the thing about getting comfortable where you live. It’s easy to stop noticing it. The progress made. The new places to go. The little upgrades and big ideas that make life here special.

 

So grab a hot chocolate or your favorite local beer (shameless plug, this one’s ours) and take a look at what came together in 2025. Because all of it adds up to one thing: Life in Greater ROC keeps getting greater.

 


Downtown’s got a fresh look

If things seem a little brighter and easier to get around, you weren’t imagining it.

 

  1. Batavia wrapped up major downtown streetscape upgrades, complete with new lighting and reimagined sidewalks that make the city feel welcoming and easier to walk around day or night.

  2. Canandaigua’s Route 5 & 20 corridor got a refresh, smoothing traffic flow and better connecting downtown with lakeside recreation.

  3. Penn Yan’s Downtown Revitalization Initiative also included sidewalk improvements and progress on its Lake Street Park project.

  4. Nunda rolled out its Active Transportation Plan, making it easier and more accessible for walkers, bikers and wheelchair riders. A nice win for Livingston County.



More homes, more opportunities

Housing progress took center stage, especially projects designed to support long-term stability.

 

  1. The $28 million Beechwood Family apartments project broke ground, providing affordable and supportive options for households earning up to 60% of the area median income.

 

  1. Wayne County’s Canal Street Redevelopment Project will bring new opportunities to the village of Lyons. Phase one is underway, with plans to continue the work in 2026.

 

 

Innovation is in our DNA

Greater ROC continued to flex its innovation muscles this year.

 

  1. The Revitalize & Innovate Symposium brought together changemakers for two days of conversation about community-centered development, capped off by a keynote from former Washington, DC, Mayor Anthony A. Williams.

 

  1. Cornell’s Tech Farm II opened its doors—a 20,000-square-foot expansion at the Agriculture and Food Technology Park that doubles the facility’s size and boosts research, product development and small-scale manufacturing.

 

Translation: big ideas = real-world impact.

 

 

Community spaces got a major boost

Projects designed to support people and families moved forward in a big way.

 

  1. The Bull’s Head Empowerment Center broke ground on a $23.6 million transformation that will adapt and expand into a mixed-use center to bring workforce development, nonprofit services and local businesses together under one roof.

 

These are the kinds of investments that strengthen our neighborhoods and communities from the inside out.

 

 

Sports, fun and local pride

Progress isn’t just about living and working here—it’s also about playing here.

 

  1. ROC City Skate Park’s phase two was approved, expanding one of the largest skate parks in the Northeast. We love a good outdoor space that doubles down on youth recreation and city pride.

 

  1. Some people call it the Grand Canyon of the East, and we can see why. Letchworth State Park had a record year for visitors and earned the title of the Best State Park by USA Today

 


Waterfronts and natural gems moved closer to reality

Just curious: How many downtown areas do you know have a waterfall in the center?

 

  1. The High Falls State Park plan was released, laying out a vision for a community-driven park featuring 40 acres of trails, green space and gorgeous views of the 80-foot waterfall.

 

  1. Seneca Falls advanced its Local Waterfront Revitalization Program, focusing on protecting and enhancing its iconic waterfront for future generations.


 

Culture, art & local flavor

Creativity stays strong across our region.

 

  1. The arts community remains a staple, and Greater ROC proved it with $100,000 being awarded to eight artists and arts organizations from ArtsBloom.  

 

  1. GO ART! announced plans for its GO BARN! initiative in Orleans County, a new community hub for arts, agricultural education and entrepreneurship. The project also received Capital Projects funding from the New York State Council on the Arts.

 

So what’s next?

 

A lot.

 

It’s been an incredible year for our nine-county region, and we have a lot to look forward to in 2026.

 

With High Falls State Park moving closer to reality, more skate park expansion, lakefront improvements and innovations we haven’t even imagined yet, plenty of boundaries remain to be pushed.

 

And we’re ready to push them all.

 

For more stories on our region’s progress, follow us on Instagram, Facebook and LinkedIn.

 

Want to connect with us and share your story? We’re always looking to partner with locals. Send us a note at begreaterroc@gmail.com.



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