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6.0 Overview of the Economy

6.2 Strengths and Weaknesses

6.2.1 Village of Pittsford

A number of initiatives were conducted to understand specific strengths that can be built upon as economic policy is created for the Village. This included discussions with the Comprehensive Planning Committee, the charrette findings, the Comprehensive Plan Discovery Session, Community Survey and Focus Group meetings. A brief summary of strengths in the Village include:

• Vibrant and active Central Business District

• High profile of the Village because of the State routes through the Village

• Unique mix of shops, restaurants and other services along the Erie Canal

• Strong presence of retail/commercial services in the Village

• Regional reputation for successful preservation of historic character and commercial uniqueness

• Marketing of the Village on a County, Regional and State level

• Identification of the Village as a vibrant "destination" (lack of signage, or colorful banners.)

• Control and volume of through traffic

• Full utilization of the Canal area, for commercial and recreational opportunities, has not occurred

• Setbacks and gaps for current commercial property detract from pedestrian character of business district

• Lack of public facilities, such as public bathrooms, in the Central Business District

• Perception of parking shortage and poor signage indicating location of existing parking

• Communication between businesses and the Village of Pittsford

• Perception that the Village leadership makes the community a difficult place to do business

• No visual and physical linkage between the Central Business District and the commercial development along the Erie Canal

• Existing pedestrian walkways on the bridges are too narrow and perceived to be unsafe.

6.2.2 Regional Advantages and Disadvantages

An understanding of the broader perspective of the region's economy is also important when looking at the Village economy. The general concept of a metropolitan area is an area that has a large population nucleus along with the adjacent communities that combined has a high degree of social and economic integration with that core. Metropolitan areas comprise one or more entire counties. This Regional examination will provide a context of strengths and weaknesses on a macro level, with particular focus on the Greater Rochester area. This will influence several other local economies on a micro scale, with particular focus on the Village and Town of Pittsford. A brief summary of strengths in the Greater Rochester area includes:

• Good access to the international and national markets via the Rochester International Airport, Amtrak and Conrail and the New York State Thruway

• Proximity (within a 400 mile radius) to other major urban marketplaces such as New York City, Boston, Philadelphia, Pittsburgh, Cleveland, Washington D.C. Toronto, Montreal, and Ottawa.

• National reputation as a leader in advanced optics and imaging industries

• Strong presence of very highly regarded institutions of higher education

• Diverse offering of cultural and recreational opportunities

• Low cost of housing

• Highly educated workforce

Weaknesses within the Greater Rochester area include:

• Loss of industry, resulting in the decrease of a major source of employment in the region

• Population loss

• Perceived poor climate

• Tax burden

• Lack of employment opportunities for the highly educated workforce in the region

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