Brian Sharp

@SharpRoc

First on D&C Digital: Seneca Nation of Indians did not submit a proposal for Parcel 5 at Midtown.

Fourth proposal is from owner of Hart's Local Grocers for a downtown retail center.

Also proposed: A performing arts center and Visionary Square, which mixes open space and retail.

The Seneca Nation of Indians did not submit a proposal for Parcel 5 at Midtown, and none of the proposals that the city of Rochester received by last week's deadline include a slot parlor or casino.

The city said it received four proposals for the undeveloped lot that extends from Tower280, the former Midtown Tower, to East Main Street. Three had previously been confirmed, including Visionary Square, a minimalist retail and open space proposal; Rochester Broadway Theatre League with a 3,000-seat auditorium concept; and one involving developers Andrew Gallina and Patrick Dutton, who have yet to reveal details. The fourth proposal, confirmed by the Democrat and Chronicle on Monday, came from Glenn Kellogg, president of Hart's Local Grocers, who submitted under Rochester Local Capital.

Kellogg's plan would divide the center Midtown lot into 15 "bite-sized" parcels for smaller developers to build a more traditional downtown retail center.

Five lots would front East Main Street, where Kellogg envisions three- and four-story buildings with first-floor retail. Two lots each would be on Cortland Street and Andrew Langston Way, likely catering to office users. And six lots would run the back of the parcel for live-work row houses fronting an existing open space and Tower280 across Elm Street. The interior would be set aside for parking.

Working with Plan Architectural Studio and Highland Planning, Kellogg said he would act as the master developer for the site to be built "one inexpensive building at a time, much like Main Streets were put up years ago."

Local retail is the goal,Kellogg said, but don't expect Hart's to be in the mix because Midtown would be too close to the existing grocery. The retail potential is one reason Kellogg was "floored" some weeks ago when it appeared a slot parlor or auditorium were the only ideas for the lot.

Midtown offers "one of the few locations to get retail on both sides of the street," he said. "That is one of the things great Main Streets share, and shopping malls try to emulate."

The city released its request for development proposals on June 17, setting a July 15 deadline that since was extended to this past Friday. The city wants to sell the East Main Street lot for $1 million, have development begin Jan. 1, and says it would favor a mixed-use project; but that any proposal should not rely on or expect city or state grants or subsidies. Discussion about the parcel has been controversial as the Senecas had been in talks with the city to build and pay for a combined casino and performing arts center.

It was not immediately known why the Senecas ultimately decided to pass on the project. The city was not told in advance of their decision, said city spokesman James Smith.

"This mayor and her administration have said repeatedly that no one was wedded to the idea of a casino. Nor was that necessarily the objective," Smith said, pointing instead to the priorities of creating jobs and energy at the city center. "This is an exciting time for downtown Rochester. The possibilities there are really intriguing."

BDSHARP@Gannett.com

RBTL proposes theater without casino at Midtown parcel