ROCHESTER, N.Y. – Today, after helping secure at least $27 billion in funding for New York State through the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY) brought White House Infrastructure Coordinator and Senior Advisor to the President Mitch Landrieu to the Prayer House Church of God by Faith to discuss the Rochester Inner Loop project. They were joined by U.S. Congressman Joe Morelle (D-NY-25), Rochester Mayor Malik Evans, County Executive Adam Bello, and local community leaders. When it was built, the Inner Loop cut through a thriving, predominantly African American neighborhood in Rochester, destroying many businesses and leaving behind a legacy of segregated communities. The new Inner Loop North project aims to fully reconnect underserved communities with downtown Rochester, creating new green spaces and providing direct links to the High Falls District.
“After helping to secure $27 billion in federal funding to help revitalize New York’s aging infrastructure, I am so proud to bring White House Infrastructure Coordinator Mitch Landrieu to the great city of Rochester to see how these federal dollars can be put to use. Rochester is set to be the prime model for how our nation can repair vital infrastructure while correcting the wrongs of the past,” said Senator Gillibrand. “For far too long, the Inner Loop in Rochester has divided communities of color and limited their economic opportunities. Forward-thinking projects like the Inner Loop North project will help transform Downtown Rochester and build a more resilient and equitable economy. With a great partner in the Biden administration, I know we will never stop fighting against injustice in all forms and lay the foundation for a brighter future.”
“President Biden’s Bipartisan Infrastructure Law is a once-in-a-generation opportunity to invest in communities in every corner of the country, repair our nation’s infrastructure, and address mistakes of the past that disconnected communities from opportunities. I’ve been proud to stand with Senator Gillibrand York to share firsthand how these critical federal dollars are reshaping the future of this nation,” White House Infrastructure Coordinator Mitch Landrieu said. “That includes $1 billion to help reconnect communities, funding that Senator Gillibrand helped secure through her advocacy. I look forward to continuing our partnership with local and state government to advance equity and opportunity – here in Rochester and across the entire state.”
“The Inner Loop North project is about taking steps to right a long-standing wrong that server only to further marginalize underserved communities,” said Congressman Joe Morelle. “We’re delivering a transformational investment that will help unite Downtown Rochester and reconnect neighborhoods. I’m grateful to Senator Gillibrand and White House Senior Advisor & Infrastructure Coordinator Mitch Landrieu for hosting this community conversation and look forward to our continued work together to build a more equitable and inclusive future for the city of Rochester.”
Since her previous visit to Rochester to discuss the Inner Loop in 2021, Senator Gillibrand delivered on getting the Reconnecting Communities Pilot Program funded, which provides $1 billion in grants over five fiscal years for projects that restore community connectivity through the removal of legacy infrastructure projects, specifically those that were erected to divide primarily poor, minority communities. Sen. Gillibrand also got language to support local labor preferences in the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, allowing recipients of infrastructure money to implement local hiring and economically disadvantaged hiring preferences on federally funded construction projects. Governor Kathy Hochul has also committed $100 million to support the historic revitalization of the Inner Loop.