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City of Rome Waterfront Downtown Revitalization Initiative (DRI) Survey

Welcome!

For community members who were unable to attend the in-person Open House on August 12th, the aim of this survey is to:

1. Share information about the DRI planning process currently underway, and

2. Collect input on the community's vision and goals for the Downtown Revitalization Area (DRI Area) .

Please share your thoughts below. Thank you!
Overview of the Downtown Revitalization Initiative
DRI Area:

The boundary below denotes the DRI area. DRI areas should encompass a well-defined downtown that is compact and easily walkable. DRI funds can only be used for projects within the final DRI area. As part of the DRI planning process, MINOR boundary changes to this DRI area may be considered by the Local Planning Committee (LPC), with justification. (View a bigger image at this link)
Map of the DRI area
1.Do you have any comments on the draft boundary?
Downtown Assessment
2.What is working well in Rome’s Waterfront district today?
What assets, features, or resources should be preserved or strengthened?

Let us know your thoughts below:
3.What places or conditions need improvement?
What barriers are holding the waterfront district back?

Let us know your thoughts below:
4.What would you like the waterfront district to be known for?
How should the district feel ten years from now?

Let us know your thoughts below:
5.What activities, destinations, or improvements would bring you to the waterfront more often?
What is one big idea you would like to see pursued?

Let us know your thoughts below:
Draft Vision for the DRI Area:
"Rome’s Waterfront District is transforming into a vibrant and welcoming, mixed-use destination. Building on its Erie Canal, Mohawk River, and industrial heritage, the district will connect recreation, housing, businesses, dining, and public spaces to support residents, employees, and visitors. By offering places to gather, live, work, and play year-round for all ages and abilities, the district will enhance community pride, quality of life, and Rome’s appeal as a regional destination.”
6.Do you like the Draft Vision?
7.What do you think about the Vision? Is anything missing? Does anything not belong?
Revitalization Goals
8.Please indicate whether you like or do not like each of the draft revitalization goals below.
I like this goal
Not for me
1. Create a safe, welcoming, and active waterfront district for all ages and abilities. Improve safety, lighting, cleanliness, accessibility, comfort, and year-round activity so the Waterfront District becomes a place residents, workers, families, seniors, trail users, boaters, and visitors want to spend time regularly throughout the year.
2. Grow multimodal connections between the waterfront and surrounding neighborhoods and destinations. Improve pedestrian, bicycle, vehicle, transit, and wayfinding connections so the canal front, Mohawk River, Bellamy Harbor, East Rome neighborhoods, East Dominick Street, and nearby destinations function as one connected district.
3. Transform underutilized industrial and waterfront properties into catalytic mixed-use destinations. Advance adaptive reuse, infill development, brownfield redevelopment, and site readiness projects that convert vacant, blighted, or underused properties into active places for recreation, housing, business, tourism, and community use.
4. Expand housing options and strengthen nearby neighborhoods. Support new housing, rehabilitation of existing units, and mixed-use development that helps meet local housing needs, supports the growth of Rome’s workforce, and strengthen East Rome as a livable neighborhood connected to the waterfront.
5. Build on Rome’s canal, river, trail, and recreation assets to grow tourism and improve quality of life. Enhance Bellamy Harbor, waterfront access, boating facilities, trails, public spaces, recreation amenities, and visitor services to make the waterfront a stronger regional recreation destination and a more useful everyday amenity for residents.
6. Support local businesses, job growth, and private investment. Encourage projects that activate storefronts, attract restaurants and small businesses, support existing employers, create foot traffic, and leverage public investment to attract private development.
7. Celebrate Rome’s waterfront, industrial, canal, and immigrant heritage through placemaking. Use public art, signage, gateways, building reuse, historic interpretation, and high-quality design to create a distinct sense of place that reflects Rome’s past while supporting a more vibrant future.
9.Do you have any comments on the above? Are there any other goals or ideas you’d like to see included?
Bellamy Harbor Park – Share your ideas!

The City of Rome is seeking to enhance Bellamy Harbor Park. Potential improvements include better docking facilities, an amphitheater and band shell, and a welcome center in the historic Terminal Building. Tell us your ideas for the park!
10.What amenities and programs would you like to see in the park? What features would encourage you to spend more time here? What other suggestions or ideas do you have?
11.How do you currently use the Park? Do you spend time here? Why or why not? How do you get around? What do you do here
Waterfront Connectivity – Share your ideas!

The City of Rome is seeking to create a vibrant waterfront district for all ages and abilities that is well-connected to surrounding neighborhoods and destinations. Help us design a waterfront that is welcoming for all users.
12.
  • How do you travel to or within the canal waterfront area?
  • How would you like to travel to or within the area in the future?
  • What do you do here?
  • What would you like to do here in the future?
Pinti Field Clubhouse – Share your ideas!

The City of Rome is seeking to improve recreational facilities at Pinti Field. The City currently operates Pinti Field Clubhouse as a year-round, indoor playground for ages 6 and under. There is potential to expand this facility to serve a broader range of ages and interests.
13.What year-round, indoor amenities or programs would you like to see at Pinti Field? (e.g., pickleball, golf simulator, rock wall…)
Do you currently use any of the facilities at Pinti Field? Might you in the future? Why or why not?
Conclusion
14.Do you have any further comments to share?
Where can I learn more?

Please visit the Waterfront DRI website https://www.romenydri.com for information and updates on the program. You can also submit comments through the website and subscribe to the mailing list.
Thank you!

When ready, please click "Done" below to submit your answers.