19th ward
19th ward info
The 19th Ward Neighborhood’s motto - “Urban by Choice” - says it all.
Overview of the 19th Ward
With around 22,000 residents, the 19th Ward in the Southwest quadrant is the largest neighborhood of the city. The 19th Ward is bordered, clockwise from its northern edge, by West Avenue, Genesee Street, Scottsville Road and the Erie Canal.
The 19th Ward is an area of many tree-lined streets filled with one and two family homes and a scattering of small apartment complexes. The neighborhood's motto, Urban by Choice, prides itself on its racial, ethnic and economic diversity; university professors, students, city officials and some of the cities poorest families all live in the 19th Ward.
As with the other major living areas in Rochester, the 19th Ward area is well serviced by the city bus system and comprises three exits on Interstate 390 (17, 18B and 19). It is close to RIT, the University of Rochester, University of Rochester Medical Center and the Greater Rochester International Airport. It is also bordered, at least in part, by Genesee Valley Park, the Erie Canal and Genesee River.
For University of Rochester Students
Anywhere you live in the 19th Ward area will be a short walk to a bus running directly to campus. In a car, the commute to campus would be between 5 and 15 minutes depending on which area you are coming from. The key to walking or riding a bike to campus from the 19th Ward area lies in the pedestrian bridge across the Genesee located at the end of Brooks Landing at the corner of Brooks Avenue and Genesee Street. This bridge runs directly into campus and makes many places in the 19th Ward within a few minutes walk to campus.
While looking for a place to live in the 19th Ward area, keep in mind the location of the pedestrian bridge crossing over the Genesee, as this will be the key to your commute to campus.
A Changing Neighborhood
The neighborhood has historically had a bad reputation through much of Rochester and particularly on the River Campus of the University of Rochester. Much of this stems from gangs that claimed territory on Thurston Road, Genesee Street, Chili Avenue and Arnett Boulevard in the 1980's and 90's. However, the Rochester Police Department cracked down on them and all of the major gang violence ended in 1997 with a series of high profile arrests.
Investments by the City of Rochester, Staybridge Suites, Boulder Coffee and particularly the University of Rochester have helped increase the value of real estate spurring additional improvements, particularly on Brooks Avenue, Genesee Street and Plymouth Avenue.
Some Points of Interest
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The Brooks Landing Project is a redevelopment project located at the Brooks and Genesee intersection.
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Ant Hill Cooperative is in the nearby Plymouth-Exchange Neighborhood
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http://www.rochestercityliving.com/neighborhoods/19thward/19thward.html
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Public library on Arnett Boulevard