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Could a Ridge apartment complex be in the cards?

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Phase 2, located south of Market Basket on Route 11, extends to behind Rochester Toyota. (Courtesy image)

ROCHESTER - The feasibility of an apartment complex at The Ridge will be part of a rezoning study conducted by Rochester's Bureau of Economic and Community Development, the bureau's chief Karen Pollard said on Tuesday.

The potential area of construction would be behind any business portion of Phase II, which is earmarked for retail, entertainment and restaurant development, Pollard told The Rochester Voice.

"This is just a feasibility study," Pollard said. "Nothing is being proposed."

The impetus for such a study is that much of the space behind the retail development of Phase II had been designated as office space, which Pollard said may not be as marketable as previously thought.

"We have plenty of existing office space, including at the former Cabletron complex," Pollard reasoned. "So we're looking at the possibility of taking out office space and putting in apartments instead."

Pollard noted that the area behind Phase I at The Ridge is not being eyed for any further development as it is designated as conservation land.

Pollard stressed that what her department is doing right now is just trying to glean facts and potential for such use, so the planning board and City Council could then make a decision on what might be best for the city.

Pollard added it was all about looking forward instead of catching up.

"We have to then think if we had housing at the back of the parcel behind the retail, 'what would that do to our plan for Route 11?'" she noted.

Pollard said any apartments would likely be in high demand by residents looking to have a plethora of amenities at their doorstep and within walking distance.

"These apartments would have it all, they'd be close to a major highway, shopping, entertainment and restaurants," Pollard said, adding that they would likely be higher end, market rate type apartments rather than low-income units.

She said after her department does a financials and feasibility report, engineers will then look at the current infrastructure and determine its capabilities for such use.

Pollard said the infrastructure improvements already destined for Phase II could support office space behind the retail portion, but engineers would be able to ascertain whether that would be enough to handle apartment complexes, which might carry a high demand.

"Water infrastructure engineers will have to look at that," she said.

Pollard said she hoped to have a report for the city by June.

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