

By this time next year, Rochester’s cool retro-style bus shelters could be history. When the RTS Transit Center opens in November, RTS buses that currently wait for passengers along Main Street will instead turn into the new facility on Mortimer Street. And after 25 years of service, six shelters from the Genesee River to Chestnut Street will be removed.

There is one thing that could save these iconic structures from the scrap yard: Your creativity.



The City of Rochester, in partnership with Reconnect Rochester, has agreed to consider any serious proposal to adapt or use these bus shelters in some way. The only limitation is the imagination of the people of Rochester. So grab a pencil and sketch up your idea. Here are a few thoughts to get the juices flowing…

These shelters have power, are lighted, and at one time were even heated. They could make the perfect location for a coffee & newsstand, or some other type of street vendor. Check out this former bus shelter turned coffee kiosk in Portland…



[see in Google streetview ]

OR… perhaps a covered bike corral? These shelters could provide a place to lock up a dozen (or more) bikes.

How about a little green along Main Street… Can you see urban greenhouses, lush arbors, or maybe a flower shop?

Or a little free library?

A visitor information booth?

A little art gallery?

Perhaps you just want to turn one into a sculpture or public artwork?

Whatever your idea, write it up, include a drawing or two, and send it to info@reconnectrochester.org along with your contact information and a brief explanation. And if you have an idea but can’t draw—no problem—contact us anyway or drop a comment below. No idea is too crazy!

• • •

You might ask, “Why not move these to other bus stops around the city that could use shelters?”

Reconnect Rochester did meet with the City of Rochester about this. It was our first thought too. But because of the way these shelters are built and their physical size, they would be very difficult (and very expensive) to relocate. And there’d be no guarantee that they’d be able to be put back together. These shelters were designed specifically for these sites and are sunk into concrete below the sidewalk pavers. So we determined the best thing to do would be to leave them in place, and find new uses for them.

• • •

About the Bus Shelters



These Main Street shelters were designed by the firm Johnson, Johnson and Roy (Detroit) as part of the Main Street Improvement Project c.1986-1989. The 26 Million dollar project was a complete reconstruction and included new streets, sewers, filling old vaults beneath the sidewalk, construction of new sidewalks, and the installation of a transit mall. The Main Street transit mall was loosely modeled after the Nicollet pedestrian mall in Minneapolis, MN. According to the Rochester Times-Union (4/15/1985), Rochester Transit Corporation unveiled the first drawings of a “transit mall” concept in 1959.

Since 1989 the shelters have kept millions of people protected from the wind, rain, snow, sleet, and anything else nature could throw at them. One shelter (in front of the Liberty Pole) has already been removed, but there are six left…

Main Street at Radisson

Approximate Dimensions: 30′ L x 9′ W x 11′ H

Big Doorway: 7′ W x 7′ 3″ H

Small Doorway: 3′ W x 7′ 3″ H

Main Street at Riverside Convention Center

Approximate Dimensions: 30′ L x 9′ W x 11′ H

Big Doorway: 7′ W x 7′ 3″ H

Small Doorway: 3′ W x 7′ 3″ H

Main Street at Chase Tower

Approximate Dimensions: 40′ L x 13′ W x 13′ H

Big Doorway: 7′ W x 7′ 3″ H

Small Doorway: 3′ W x 7′ 3″ H

Main Street at Maint & Clinton

Approximate Dimensions: 40′ L x 13′ W x 13′ H

Big Doorway: 7′ W x 7′ 3″ H

Small Doorway: 3′ W x 7′ 3″ H

Main Street at Sibley Building

(this one has already been removed)

Main Street at University Place

Approximate Dimensions: 30′ L x 9′ W x 11′ H

Big Doorway: 7′ W x 7′ 3″ H

Small Doorway: 3′ W x 7′ 3″ H

Main Street at Stillson Street

Approximate Dimensions: 30′ L x 9′ W x 11′ H

Big Doorway: 7′ W x 7′ 3″ H

Small Doorway: 3′ W x 7′ 3″ H

If it helps, here’s a drawing of one of the larger shelters.

(right-click and save to your computer)…

• • •

Submit Your Idea

Write up your idea, include a drawing or two, and send it to info@reconnectrochester.org along with your contact information and a brief explanation. And if you have an idea but can’t draw—no problem—contact us anyway. No idea is too crazy.

There’s not a specific deadline, but these shelters will most likely be gone by the end of the year if we don’t act very quickly.

Your proposal should include some basic information: