Brooks Landing Wins 2016 APWA Project of the Year Award

T.Y. Lin International (TYLI), a globally recognized full-service infrastructure consulting firm, announces that the Brooks Landing project designed for the City of Rochester, New York, by T.Y. Lin International (TYLI) has been named the 2016 Project of the Year in the Historical Restoration/Preservation category by the Genesee Valley Chapter of the American Public Works Association (APWA).

The state and locally-funded Brooks Landing project encompassed the design and construction of a park gateway, a roadway, and trail improvements to a portion of the Genesee Valley Park at Brooks Landing. The project served as an opportunity to further rejuvenate the City’s 19th Ward neighborhood and strengthen public access to the waterfront, park, and trail system from this district, as well as the University of Rochester and the Brooks Landing private development. The APWA Project of the Year Award recognizes excellence in the management and administration of public works projects and is a testament to the partnership between TYLI, Ramsey Constructors, Inc., and the City of Rochester.

The Brooks Landing project stands out for its historical component. The Genesee Valley Park is one of the oldest parks in the area and was designed by Frederick Law Olmsted, the famed landscape architect most notably known as the co-designer of New York City’s Central Park. Considering the historical significance of this Olmsted-designed landscape, a major focus of the project centered on enhancing and restoring its features, while respecting its history and mitigating the impacts of development. TYLI provided site planning and design and landscape architecture for the park, as well as transportation and traffic engineering services for the reconfiguration of the former South Plymouth Avenue at the intersection of Elmwood Avenue. The team developed park and trail signage; designed landscape and viewshed improvements; and envisioned and prepared a juried public art competition. Additional public enhancements were woven into the final design through decorative seating, lighting, and a reconstructed river overlook with decorative railings. Given the project’s proximity to a residential neighborhood, the University of Rochester, and private development, TYLI’s work involved significant public involvement initiatives which enabled area residents to contribute input to the final design.

The City of Rochester accepted the award on behalf of the entire project team on January 28, 2016.