The proposed redevelopment of the Marketplace Mall took a few steps forward, gaining critical approvals from the Town of Henrietta.
The town board unanimously approved the environmental review, special use permits and incentive zoning designation for the proposed Mary Cariola Center and University of Rochester Medical Center Golisano Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities Institute. The passage came despite some concerns from URMC officials on the nature of a community benefit agreement, which has not been specified but would dictate how much of the former mall could become a medical center.
The special use permit included details on the creation of a roughly 8-acre public park with walking trails on land adjacent to the Marketplace Senior Apartments, which will lose access to the interior of the mall as walking space for its residents. The park would be situated on the southwest corner of the property, behind the apartments and Sportsman’s Warehouse.
In addition to the park, the permit approval for both projects came with conditions that included the removal of all way-finding signs on public roads and highways identifying the Marketplace Mall.
The community benefit agreement would dictate how much of the former mall property could be used for industrial use, which the medical center falls under, and would need to be approved by the end of the year. The permit reduces the amount of retail space required under the overlay district.
While he made it clear there was no indication the two tenants are going anywhere, Henrietta Supervisor Steve Schultz said Mary Cariola Center would have rights of first refusal on the JC Penney and URMC would have the same for the Dave and Buster’s space.
The project would call for phased development and Mary Cariola Center would demolish existing space in the mall, then build a new structure in the same footprint. The first phase includes building a new 60,000-square-foot building along with full demolition of the entire 190,000 square feet of mall space the school is looking to acquire
URMC plans to renovate the existing mall for its 170,000-square-foot facility but could demolish all or part of it as needed. The footprint will include 100,000 square feet for clinical space and 70,000 square feet for the Intellectual Developmental Disabilities Institute.
Wilmorite would retain ownership of outlying parcels and big box storefronts. Even though the mall closed at the end of 2025, businesses with exterior entrances — Dave & Buster’s, IndyKart Raceway, Floor & Décor, JCPenney, Lands’ End and Sportsman’s Warehouse — remain open.
Billionaire Paychex founder and philanthropist Tom Golisano — who made a $25 million donation to the Mary Cariola Foundation — suggested the space and co-location. The center’s relocation will also be supported by $4 million in state funding.
— Steve Howe reports on suburban growth, development and environment for the Democrat and Chronicle. An RIT graduate, he has covered myriad topics over the years, including public safety, local government, national politics and economic development in New York and Utah.
This article originally appeared on Rochester Democrat and Chronicle: Marketplace Mall project steps advance Henrietta transformation
Reporting by Steve Howe, Rochester Democrat and Chronicle / Rochester Democrat and Chronicle
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