Age restrictions, traffic closures announced for Rochester’s East & Alexander area

ROCHESTER, N.Y. (WROC) — The City of Rochester is limiting access to the East Avenue and Alexander Street area on Saturday nights until further notice.

The city declared the area a “Special Event Zone” in order to enact the restrictions under Mayor Malik Evans’ Gun Violence State of Emergency, which has been in place since July, 2022. The state of emergency gives the mayor broader powers to “protect life and property and to bring the emergency under control.”

Starting Saturday and each Saturday until further notice, from 10:00 p.m. to 3:00 a.m., pedestrians will only be allowed into the zone at four checkpoints:

• Chapman Alley and Alexander Street
• East Avenue and Alexander Street
• East Avenue and South Union Street
• Lawrence and Charlotte Streets

Pedestrians must show photo ID at the checkpoints. Those 21 and above will be allowed in and given an access wristband. Backpacks and large bags will be prohibited.

The following streets will be closed to traffic:

• Alexander Street from Chapman Alley to East Avenue
• Gardiner Park
• Dryer Alley
• Lawrence Street
• Shuart Street
• East Avenue, between Alexander Street and South Union Street

Residents and employees working in the area will be allowed to drive on the closed streets.

Parking will be open at the lot on South Union Street at East Avenue, but will only be accessible from South Union Street. No other parking will be open within the zone.

“One or two people who choose to bring a weapon to a Saturday night out should not be allowed to impact the hundreds of people who want to enjoy themselves at a local establishment,” Evans said in a statement released Friday. One day earlier, Evans announced gun violence in the city was at its lowest level since before the pandemic.

“We’ve had too many violent incidents down there and we have to take steps to keep our community safe,” Captain Greg Bello with the Rochester Police Department told News 8.

Captain Bello said this is being done to only allow bar patrons in the area.

“One of the big issues that we’ve been having is a lot of people that are loitering outside of the bars in the parking lots and in the street,” Captain Bello said.

Veneto Gourmet Pizza and Pasta is in the restricted area. While the restaurant closes when the restrictions start at 10 p.m., Owner Donald Swartz said his team has been meeting with the city as a business organization for years. One constant topic of conversation: crime.

“Most of the businesses are on the same page,” Swartz said. “We do what we need to do to secure our customers, to check ID. Some choose to want people as they come, and it’s their choice. I think most of the problems are not coming from the business. It’s not coming from the patrons that are spending money in the businesses.”

He said Saturday’s plan is a starting point.

“We got to have a balance between having people freely being able to move in public and also have the bars and restaurants also be able to run their businesses,” Swartz said.

Swartz added he and other businesses will continue conversation with Rochester Police. They are set to have a meeting on Monday to talk about how the first weekend of the checkpoints went.

This is a developing story. Check back for updates.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to RochesterFirst.