Schumer, Clinton Announce Key Senate Panel Approves Federal Funding For Rochester Area Projects

U.S. Senators Charles E. Schumer and Hillary Rodham Clinton today announced that the full Senate Appropriations Committee has approved the Transportation, Housing and Urban Development, and Related Agencies (TTHUD) FY08 Appropriations Bill, which includes $200,000 for the City of Rochester's Lead Hazard Prevention Program.   The bill also includes language that extends the discretionary funds already allocated for the Renaissance Square Project. The bill will now proceed to the Senate Floor as the next step in the appropriations process.  Schumer and Clinton worked closely with members of the Appropriations Committee to include funding for the project in this year's spending bill.

"This is great news for Rochester and all of Monroe County," said Schumer. "Lead poisoning is a scourge that robs our children of their future - yet it is the most preventable public health threat we face.  These funds will help make a big difference by removing lead hazards from area homes and preventing more kids from getting lead poisoning.  Renaissance Square is a shot in the arm for Rochester's downtown, and this extension is just the green light that project mangers need to get the job done right - and to get the job done on time," said Senator Schumer.

"The City of Rochester and Mayor Duffy are at the forefront of efforts to combat the threat of lead to our children's health so I am very pleased that we can support their efforts in this way. Even one child with lead poisoning is one too many and these funds are just a part of our commitment to helping the City deal with the problem of lead," Senator Clinton said. "I am also very pleased that we have secured this extension of discretionary funds to continue the progress on Renaissance Square. We are all keen to see Rochester's downtown area reap the benefits of this development and this extension will ensure that the funding we have already secured will not be lost."

The City of Rochester's Lead Hazard Prevention Program will receive $200,000 of federal funds to enhance lead hazard assessments, inspections, remediation training and outreach to expedite lead hazard remediation in public housing.  

Rochester's Renaissance Square project will receive an extension of discretionary funds which were set to expire at the end of fiscal year 2007.  Funds will go to design and build a transit center that contains a performing arts center and a Monroe Community College campus in downtown Rochester. Renaissance Square is a vital part of the redevelopment of the downtown area. The FY05 TTHUD conference report included a total of $12.1 million for Renaissance Square in the FTA discretionary bus funds account.  This extension should give sufficient time to complete the work for which the money was originally intended.

Now that the bill has been approved by the full Senate Appropriations Committee, it will be sent to the Senate floor. Following approval by the Senate, the bill will move towards Conference with the House and then to the President for signature.