Downtown ROCs

Downtown ROCs To see the impact we're making, visit us at DowntownROCs.org Get Involved TODAY at http://DowntownRocs.com

Downtown ROCs is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization that creates economic and artistic opportunities through projects that add beauty and energy to downtown Rochester. Downtown ROCs is a 501(c)(3) Community Development Corporation that creates economic opportunities for youth through projects & programs that add beauty and energy to Downtown Rochester.

Took a lunchtime stroll today to enjoy some of our Spring work... the recent rain providing a happy respite from the usu...
06/23/2026

Took a lunchtime stroll today to enjoy some of our Spring work... the recent rain providing a happy respite from the usual watering duties.

One of the most frequent questions we hear is whether we're worried that the flowers we plant will be stolen or vandalized. But the truth is that this almost never happens. And when it does, we replace them as quickly as possible, sending a clear message that someone cares for this place.

We can all be stewards of our public spaces. We can invest in and nurture them, clean them and beautify them. And by doing so, we encourage others to do the same.

It's a simple idea, but one we think really matters.

No, you're not seeing double! Today we partnered with RTS - Regional Transit Service & RTS Transit Center to landscape b...
06/18/2026

No, you're not seeing double! Today we partnered with RTS - Regional Transit Service & RTS Transit Center to landscape both sides of the St. Paul Street entrance to the downtown Transit Center. Special thanks to their Building & Grounds team for persevering through rain and 50 mph wind gusts!

Our goal with this project was not only to beautify a key downtown gateway, but also to enhance the public transit experience for riders.

Both gardens contain 18 unique native perennial species, intentionally selected to help strengthen our local bird, insect and pollinator ecosystems.

If all goes well with this collaboration, we hope to landscape the Clinton Ave entrance next year!

Off we go! Today we are partnering with RTS - Regional Transit Service & RTS Transit Center to landscape the St. Paul en...
06/18/2026

Off we go! Today we are partnering with RTS - Regional Transit Service & RTS Transit Center to landscape the St. Paul entrance to the downtown Transit Center. Check back later for the exciting results… rain or shine 😎

Yesterday, we completed our 35th potter of the season!!! Every flower planted adds more color, charm, and life to the he...
06/16/2026

Yesterday, we completed our 35th potter of the season!!! Every flower planted adds more color, charm, and life to the heart of Rochester creating spaces that everyone can enjoy and take pride in.

Yesterday we added two new planters outside of 413 Church’s new home in the historic Temple Theater.We’re excited to hel...
06/14/2026

Yesterday we added two new planters outside of 413 Church’s new home in the historic Temple Theater.

We’re excited to help welcome 413 Church to downtown and add a little more beauty to Liberty Pole Way.

In 1989, Margaret "Midge" Thomas commissioned a 3-headed brass water fountain for The City of Rochester to represent lib...
06/11/2026

In 1989, Margaret "Midge" Thomas commissioned a 3-headed brass water fountain for The City of Rochester to represent liberty, equality and humanity.

Inspired by a personal experience in which she was charged 10 cents for a cup of water to take medication, Midge wanted to make sure that anyone who needed a drink of water downtown could have one.

Several thousand people attended the original ceremony, and the fountain has been installed at Liberty Pole Plaza every Spring since. This week City crews placed the newly-repainted Jane Pittman Fountain in its rightful position, albeit for the first time without Midge in attendance💔.

Here it will stand through the heat of summer as a legacy to Midge's generosity and humanity.

Better?
06/10/2026

Better?

There's a special satisfaction we get when we can rescue unwanted items and reimagine their use to beautify downtown Roc...
06/08/2026

There's a special satisfaction we get when we can rescue unwanted items and reimagine their use to beautify downtown Rochester.

So we are particularly thrilled about this past weekend's project in which we repurposed 6 concrete planters to dramatically enhance the streetscape in downtown's St. Paul Quarter.

The planters, over 1,000 pounds each, were recently decommissioned by the City and destined for the scrap heap. However, in the spirit of collaboration, the dedicated team from the Department of Environmental Services graciously agreed to recover and move the planters to their new homes, where we will care for them moving forward.

Special thanks to John, Chris, Angel and Renata from DES for truly going above and beyond to make this happen for the betterment of the downtown community. It shows what is possible when the City of Rochester, NY and its advocates work together!

06/08/2026

This post deserves more love folks! Walking For Rochester is making a real difference throughout the city, not only tangibly with the amount of trash they are clearing from our neighborhoods, but also by changing the conversation around litter in our community overall.

(They’re also making us look bad… we only just crossed the one ton threshold downtown this season. But hey, we do flowers too 😎)

We were at it again!!!For the second year in a row, Downtown ROCs partnered with the RIT Center for Urban Entrepreneursh...
06/07/2026

We were at it again!!!

For the second year in a row, Downtown ROCs partnered with the RIT Center for Urban Entrepreneurship at 40 Franklin Street to plant flowers in their potters—18 flowers in each one!

Projects like this help make downtown Rochester welcoming for everyone.

Address

318 Main Street E
Rochester, NY
14604

Telephone

+15853705919

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