City eyes old Hoffman's building for next revitalization project

The former Hoffman's Furniture could be acquired by city tonight. (Courtesy photo)

ROCHESTER - The next puzzle piece that is hoped to further push forward Rochester's downtown resurgence could be acquired tonight when the City Council votes on whether to buy the old Hoffman's Furniture building on North Main Street for $350,000.

The owner of the building at 55 North Main, which has been vacant for more than 30 years, had neither marketed the building nor expressed an interest to sell until just recently, according to City Manager Blaine Cox.

"He came out of the blue and said he was ready to sell right now," said Cox, adding that the city had been looking to buy it from him for a long time.

Cox said the $350,000 price tag is well within its appraised value; the money will come from city's unassigned fund balance. He said if the purchase goes through the city will be seeking Requests for Proposals from developers.

The move to buy and then actively market the old Hoffman's Furniture building follows a successful buyout of the Salinger Block and Scenic Theater buildings on South Main Street two years ago.

With part of a $300,000 downtown revitalization fund earmarked for the project, the City Council met last year to amend zoning regulations to allow for commercial space. In early March, the city signed an agreement with Chinburg Development which allowed them to acquire and develop the properties under a community revitalization tax relief program. The acquisition was contingent upon the $8 million redevelopment project pledged by Chinburg.

The two new buildings will also include two 1,000-square-foot commercial spaces. The apartments will consist of studio, one-bedroom and two-bedroom units.

The project is slated to be completed by October 2021.