Posted by A news article about a recently-closed bar in Rochester, New York featured a quote from the owner that caught my attention. While I can’t recall the quote exactly, it implied that all of the young people were spending their Fridays and Saturdays in Fairport, New York, a nearby suburb to the Southeast.
And who could blame them. The Cannery in Fairport, featuring a plethora of bars, restaurants, breweries, and a distillery, is the shining example of what is possible when former industrial space is re-imagined for the purpose of entertainment and retail. The stretch of long-vacant, blue collar infrastructure turned walkable social destination has yielded over $14 million in private investment and has become THE place to be on any given evening.
But even before the Cannery became a thriving center of activity, Main Street Fairport always struck me as a place where people were out and about, walking and biking around, engaging the community and local businesses. More than any other local community, including Park Ave. in Rochester, people young and old walk the streets, enjoying shops, ice cream, food and drink, and street-level social connection.
So why is this area so popular, and why have businesses in this area thrived as much as they have? There are likely many answers, including a forward-thinking development team, but one of the likely unappreciated factors is the slowing of traffic due to three key factors in the heart Fairport’s downtown. Studies show us that slowing vehicle speed increases vibrancy and economic stability, as it encourages people to explore their community and spend their money on foot without the unappreciated fear of fast moving automobile traffic. Let’s look at the three factors that create this dynamic in Fairport.
CSX Railroad Crossing
Main Street in Fairport is bisected by the CSX Railroad main line, which not only hosts dozens of freight trains per day from two routes (the main line and the “West Shore” line), it also plays host to 10 Amtrak trains each day. Train traffic is tremendously frequent, causing the slowing and stoppage of traffic for minutes, and sometimes longer.
In addition to slowing car traffic, train frequency has made Fairport a popular destination for rail fans such as myself. People used to trespass on CSX property to watch trains and take pictures. Instead of condemning this activity, Fairport identified this as a draw and built a viewing platform where enthusiasts could safely and legally watch trains.
The Lift Bridge
Fairport’s Main Street also features a lift bridge that raises and lowers to accommodate boat traffic on the historic Erie Canal. It is yet another element that stops traffic in the village.
The Empire State Trail
Paralleling the Erie Canal, the Empire State Trail also crosses Main Street Fairport at grade. Nestled between the aforementioned lift bridge and the CSX crossing, an RRFB-controlled crosswalk exists here, slowing and stopping traffic. Respect for pedestrians and cyclists in this space is in part the result of the slowing of traffic by the other two traffic elements mentioned above. Utilization of this path is particularly robust this area, as Fairport has invested heavily in creating an inviting “station” for trail users. Amenities such as beautification, clean public restrooms for trail users, bike racks and prioritized infrastructure are all present along this section of the trail.
The Net Effect
With these three barriers to vehicle velocity in downtown Fairport, there simply can be no expectation of speed when drivers choose this path. As a result of the slowing of traffic, people unknowingly feel more comfortable to traverse the area on foot and by bike. This seldom-appreciated dynamic is likely a major contributing factor that fuels Fairport’s success. When traffic is slowed and people are prioritized, good things happen. Fairport is a tremendous example of this kind of an environment.
***I am an urbanist influencer and do not have a formal degree in urban planning. While I am deeply passionate about urban design, trends, issues and topics, I believe in this time of undisciplined media to be honest and transparent regarding my lack of any kind of formal journalism or urban planning education. I still believe in my ability to present my viewpoints on interesting topics, but I fully admit that I have not been trained in the higher-educational rigors of expertise on such perspectives. My goal is to challenge people to think differently, not to be the the cited source of unquestionable truth. This footer will now accompany every Urban Phoenix piece, and I am proud to offer this transparency in a time when opinion is often coveted over rigorously-tested fact.***