Brian Sharp

@SharpRoc

From his California Rollin' sushi bar at the Port of Rochester terminal building, Tom Beaman Jr. looks out on a sprawling construction site and "a 14-foot hole right out in front."

The outline of a new marina is taking shape. Light poles line the route of the future North River Street. Plans for a hotel, condominiums and, eventually, a plaza, townhouses and more condos are coming into focus.

In all, the city and private developers expect to spend more than $100 million over the next decade — transforming what has been acres of mostly parking between the terminal building and Lake Avenue, into a destination.

For now, all Beaman sees is a wide expanse of dirt encircled by a chain-link fence.

"What keeps us here is I'm optimistic," he said.

City Council could receive legislation as soon as next month authorizing sale of the first private development parcel. The property would be the northern portion of an area bordered by Lake, Corrigan, Portside and North River. Closing would remain some time off, as Michigan-based Edgewater Resources is the city's preferred but not yet contracted developer. The purchase agreement would allow Edgewater to assemble financing and work on other details as negotiations with the city continue.

Critics, meanwhile, are raising questions — fueled recently by the city and Pike Co.'s decision to part ways on a $13 million marina and infrastructure construction contract without the marina being built. The Democrat and Chronicle has filed an open records request seeking city officials' correspondence on the matter. The marina and infrastructure work are public projects financed through various federal, state and city sources.

The city expects to put the remaining marina and dock work out to bid in December. Pike should be off the site by year's end.

"We've been telling folks we hope to have water in the marina by fall (2015), and have a couple of docks up," City Engineer Jim McIntosh said. "Our target still is to ... have that facility open by spring 2016."

The marina and private development could be a boost for Beaman. Anything would be better than right now.

It's the worst he has seen it in his 10 years at the port, he said, explaining he is battling not just construction but a public misconception that the terminal building is closed. If you call the restaurant at off times, the answering message states the hours and ends: "Yes, we are open. We are not closed."

California Rollin' was one of the early buy-ins to the promise of the high-speed ferry. The ferry left eight years ago. Yet Beaman stayed, and recently signed another five-year lease.

There is again reason for optimism. But Beaman's optimism is tempered with a healthy degree of doubt.

"I'm not doubtful about the whole project," Beaman said. "I'm doubtful about the hotel being booked year-around. No matter what goes on down here, it is going to be a seasonal spot."

As the marina is opening, Edgewater hopes to start building on the northwest corner of the site.

The firm has a rough construction timetable for the multi-phased development that eyes completion in 2025. Edgewater proposes three buildings, each rising up to 10 stories, housing a 52-room hotel, restaurants and shops, 116 condominiums and 34 townhouses. A civic square or green would mirror the Pearl Street pedestrian mall in Boulder, Colo., with farmers markets and art fairs in the summertime and ice skating and holiday markets during the winter.

City plans show more building on the southern end of the site, and a private second phase of the marina once the public boat launch and a maintenance facility are relocated. The idea is that this initial investment will trigger others to follow suit, more people will make Charlotte their home, and that increased density will support more unique retail shops.

"We are just a part of it," said Edgewater president and principal Greg Weykamp. "We are not the entire solution, but we feel we are going to be a big part of helping that get off the ground."

All this has Clare Stortini and others with the citizens group Charlotte Strong concerned.

They have spoken out at City Council meetings, contacted state and federal officials, raised objections to the developer selection process and, most recently, questioned whether the land on which the marina is being dug and buildings are to be built is stable.

"We take this project very seriously, and I want to be very clear," Stortini said. "Charlotte Strong is not against development. We want to make sure there is proper development on the proper parcel, and we are very concerned about the sale of public land."

The city has met with consistent pushback for years in its efforts to develop the port.

Said Stortini: "We are doing this to make sure — and ensure — that this is a long-term success for everybody. We want to be part of the process, and there needs to be more community input."

The city and Weykamp insist they have studied the conditions, have elaborate environmental management plans and experience building in far worse conditions that those at the port.

"We know the soil is junk," Weykamp said, adding that is common when building in port and other water areas. "From our perspective, it is not a big deal."

This project is another life cycle for a port that has served as a base for trade, manufacturing, even a resort area.

Weykamp and residents point to places like Skaneateles, Chautauqua, Niagara-on-the-Lake, Sackets Harbor. It is that uniqueness and authenticity that many see in and envision for Charlotte. There are just varying viewpoints of how to achieve it.

"Charlotte, in the past, was the Coney Island of the West," Weykamp said. "It has a history of being a resort destination. There have been a lot of places across the Great Lakes and the Midwest that were, at one time, resort destinations that became more industrial-type destinations."

Then the industry left, taking with it the jobs. "That type of manufacturing is not coming back. But we can't export the lakes or the beaches, so we fall back on what we have ... the lake, the river, the beaches — all those activities are going to be there. They are never going to leave, and that's what people are looking for."

BDSHARP@DemocratandChronicle.com

Twitter.com/sharproc

About this series

Each Friday, the Democrat and Chronicle will highlight projects that are transforming Rochester. The 10-week series will focus on big developments, from College Town to Midtown and the Inner Loop. But transformation takes many forms, large and small. Share pictures of how you see your city changing on Twitter or Instagram, and tag them #transformroc, or email bdsharp@DemocratandChronicle.com.

Coming next week: A look at the CityGate project.