Rochester is making a historic investment in its future by modernizing one of the city's most important economic engines. The Joseph A. Floreano Rochester Riverside Convention Center is set to undergo a $59.6 million modernization project that will refresh its aging infrastructure and position the facility to compete with convention centers across the Northeast. This investment reflects Rochester's commitment to revitalizing downtown and attracting major conventions, conferences, and events that bring thousands of visitors and millions in spending to the community.
The City of Rochester has secured $59.6 million in state funding to completely modernize the Joseph A. Floreano Rochester Riverside Convention Center, located at 123 East Main Street along the Genesee River in downtown Rochester. According to the Rochester Business Journal (December 19, 2025), the facility, which originally opened in August 1985, requires significant upgrades to compete with peer convention centers in Buffalo, Albany, Cleveland, Hartford, and Pittsburgh.
Kelly Carr, executive director of the convention center, explained the urgency: \"It's really important to bring the facility into the modern era. It has great bones, it was very well designed, but it needs a facelift. We have to modernize if we're going to get peoples' attention.\"
The convention center is a critical catalyst for Rochester's economy, hosting approximately 110 conventions, trade shows, and meetings annually. These events draw thousands of visitors who spend money at local hotels, restaurants, and shops—bringing new revenue into the community rather than recycling existing dollars locally.
The modernization project follows a structured timeline designed to maximize stakeholder input and careful planning:
The modernization plan includes comprehensive upgrades across multiple building systems:
The $59.6 million state investment demonstrates Rochester's growing importance as a destination for regional and national conventions. Don Jeffries, Visit Rochester president and CEO, emphasized the economic impact: \"Not all of the events are at the convention center, but a lot of them are. This brings new money into the community... People coming to town for conventions and meetings bring in new money. They're staying in our hotels, eating in our restaurants and shopping in our shops.\"
The modernization project is particularly important because visitor expectations for convention facilities have risen significantly. Event organizers and planners now expect modern amenities, updated technology, efficient layouts, and contemporary design—qualities that Rochester's 40-year-old facility currently lacks.
The Skyways Initiative: As part of the broader modernization vision, the project will reimagine the skyways connecting the convention center to nearby hotels and parking facilities. One skyway currently connects to the Hyatt Hotel. However, another skyway crosses Main Street but leads nowhere—a relic of the former Rochester Riverside Hotel, which has been shuttered since 2020 and remains a downtown eyesore. City officials are exploring how to integrate this skyway into the overall downtown convention center district vision, potentially partnering with private developers on the adjacent property.
City Engineer Holly Barrett stated: \"We can do better than what's there now. We want to take something that works and make a better version of itself.\"
The RFP process requires extensive input from key stakeholders, including:
Kelly Carr explained the importance of learning from peer institutions: \"I want to ask, 'Now that it's completed, what do you wish you had done that you didn't do, or what was done that maybe didn't need to be done.' This is a once-in-a-generation opportunity, so we want to make sure we do it right.\"
This $59.6 million investment is part of Rochester's broader strategy to revitalize downtown and remain competitive in the regional convention market. The facility's modernization could serve as a catalyst for additional development downtown—especially when combined with efforts to rehabilitate other landmarks like the former Riverside Hotel.
The loss of the Rochester Riverside Hotel's 480+ guest rooms in 2020 was a significant setback for downtown hospitality. Business leaders are hopeful that convention center modernization and potential hotel redevelopment will enable Rochester to bid on larger convention groups, increase visitor spending, and strengthen the downtown district as a whole.
The City of Rochester's modernization plan represents a major commitment to the future of its downtown and economy. With consultant selection expected by June 2026 and construction bids anticipated by March 2028, the project is on track for completion by 2033. As the planning process unfolds, Rochester businesses, hospitality providers, and downtown stakeholders will benefit from the influx of convention visitors and the regional recognition that comes with a world-class convention facility.
For more information about Rochester development initiatives and infrastructure investments, visit the City of Rochester website.
Interested in learning more about major infrastructure projects? See our coverage of New York's recent water infrastructure funding and other Rochester economic development stories.
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