$685 / 1br - 800ft² - Quiet One Bedroom Apartment (Penfield, NY/Panorama Plaza)

Quiet and spacious first floor one bedroom apartment available near Panorama Plaza. Great location--near schools, expressway, shopping and parks. Ample parking available, plus one garage space. December rent FREE.  $685 + utilities.


Livingroom looking out on porch




porch overlooking park-like setting


Large bedroom.


Good sized kitchen with lots of storage space (fridge and lots more cabinets on right out of photo range.  Sorry)


If interested, contact me at: MikeKKraus@gmail.com

Panorama Valley: Part II

Continued from Panorama Valley: Part I

The Panorama Valley redevelopment creates a traditional Upstate New York neighborhood while preserving and enhancing current green space.

Today, there is abundant open space between the strip mall and Irondequoit Creek that is underutilized.  This area is ignored and neglected as no windows view this space and it is lined with dumpsters, used tires, and other refuse.  New and refurbished buildings will be designed to face both the street and the new Panorama Park.

Current view of open space behind strip malls

New buildings will be designed to face both the street and the park.  Along the park is a promenade to encourage foot traffic and restaurants.  The lawn area provides ample space for personal recreation and community activities with the stage for theater, concerts, etc.

This aeriel view of the Irondequoit Creek area shows its underuse.  The side facing the creek of all the buildings are windowless and used for loading docks and dumpsters.  

Current view of Irondequoit Creek between Panorama Plaza and Panorama Creek Drive

With a few changes, this area could be a great asset.  Rebuilding the dilapidated structures to the north to face the park and street would be valuable spaces for restaurants, boutiques, and a hotel.   A tree-lined promenade would link businesses to the creek and parking.  Existing trails along the creek should be preserved and connected to a community garden in the western portion and a lawn with a stage in the eastern portion.  Inviting gateways along Panorama Trail and an improved connection to the trails that follow the creek toward Linear/Channing Park.

Example of an entrance to Panorama Valley Park from Panorama Trail.

Irondequoit Creek

To see more about the Panorama Valley redevelopment, please visit:
Panorama Valley: Part I

Panorama Valley

The Panorama Valley redevelopment is designed to restore a worn out strip mall into a vibrant mixed-use neighborhood.  This regional destination will have housing, offices, shops, entertainment, parks, and civic centers within easy walking distance.  A traditional Upstate community with contemporary amenities.

The town center (Panorama Trail and Penfield Road) will be a gathering spot for friends and families to enjoy a meal, relax, and participate in retail activities.  From there, you can go in any direction to visit one of the many fine cafes, restaurants, or boutiques.  Perhaps catch a movie at the theater or find a gift before you leave the hotel. 

Current satellite view of Panorama Plaza and surrounding development

Structure redevelopment for Panorama Valley with green space preserves surrounding the area
to protect Irondequoit and Allens Creeks watershed leading into the Irondequoit Bay.

Panorama Valley will be an inviting place by using quality design, renewable materials, and environmentally sensitive to the nearby creek watersheds.  Pedestrian and bike use will be encouraged to improve the quality of life for residents and business owners.  

Current situation of Panorama Trail

Redevelopment of Panorama Trail

Green space and historic preservation are vital to this area.  Irondequoit Creek and Allens Creek are home to rainbow trout and spawning salmon along with various kinds of amphibians and reptiles.  The old growth forests contain a variety of songbirds, owls, deer, and other woodland creatures.  Wildflowers and several protected classes of flora make this area unique.  This land is of historic significance to the Iroquois Native Americans and site of early industrial development of European settlers.

One of the many unique water features found nearby

Panorama Valley continues the Upstate New York tradition of village living and an entrepreneurial business climate.   Plenty of activities and parks for families to enjoy.  And ways to celebrate the natural and cultural heritage that defines the region.

To see more about the Panorama Valley redevelopment, please visit:
Panorama Valley: Part II

The Classy Kraus' of Rochester

This is Air Bud.  Who's Air Bud?  We didn't know either.  We just tried to play basketball at Cobbles Elementary and he'd steal the ball...



Genesee Waterways Center in Genesee Valley Park in Rochester.  Megan's work helped fund a regatta called the Diversity Invitational.



While we were waiting for the regatta to start, I saw this crazy tree in the park.  A bit tropical looking for this area.



Crew racing!






Here's my crew boat.















I believe this is the boat Megan's work bought.  I could be wrong though...


 









First of all, there's a "Professional Disc Golf Association."  Second, the "World Championship" was going on.  Third, this guy had a disc golf cart.  If I were in Buffalo I'd say "For Realz?"



We're still celebrating our first wedding anniversary.  This time, we had a free night stay at the Hyatt Rochester because that's where our reception was (if you remember).  We didn't get the Presidential Suite this time, but we still managed to have a good time...



It's amazingly difficult to take a picture of downtown Rochester without getting it full of empty parking spaces.  It's the difficult position many mid-sized cities have.  People won't come downtown unless there is more parking than in the suburbs.  But, people don't want to come downtown because it is boring since they bulldozed all the retail space to make parking lots.  



Thanks Lindsay!  If you ever get the opportunity to work with her, you are very lucky!



Champagne and chocolate covered strawberries.  Oh la la!



Take note, to the Hyatt Corporation this is our official name.  



Goodbye Midtown Plaza.  This was a urban renewal project in the 60s that closed off a bunch of streets and made a huge, windowless superblock indoor mall.  For my Michigan folk, think the old malls in downtown Muskegon and Grand Rapids which met the same fate.  



Despite the whole Paetec situation, I think downtown is still heading in a much more stable and sustainable direction.  



Goodbye Robocop Architecture.



The old Sibley Department Store.  This reminds me of the Merchandise Mart building in Chicago.  Under the right management, this place could be the crown jewel of Rochester.



Dinner at Scene on Main in the Hyatt.  Since we got married, they renovated the first few floors of the Hyatt and it's pretty swanky (and "IT'S OUR WEDDING COLORS!" as Megan pointed out immediately).  I believe this was called "Scene Snax"


 
This is the flatbread 



The filet and fingerling fries.  I know it's in a hotel, but it is really super good food and you should go to it.  And, we happened to be there when the Tall Club had their convention, which meant that Megan and I were the shortest people there.


NOW FOR SOME BUSINESS:
BARKTOBER FEST 2011 is on September 24th in Egypt Park (next to Lollypop Farm) and I'm on The Dirty Dogs team.  So, please support me (and the homeless and abused animals of Lollypop Farm) by going to http://lollypop.kintera.org/ba​rktoberfest/mike to make a donation!


That's it for now.  Megan's trying to make a cake with Rachel...

It Isn't X-Mas Until They Light the Liberty Pole

In Rochestarian tradition, they lit the Liberty Pole for x-mas.  If you are like me, you ask "what does a pole have to do with liberty?"  Apparently, during the American Revolution cities that supported the cause would erect a wooden pole in their main squares.  Before this pole, there were two wooden ones at this site.  Here is a link to an overly exaggerated history: http://www.thelibertypole.org/history/history.htm


Here comes the tuba!



Festivities inside the warm Sibley Department Store Building



COUNTDOWN TO LIGHTING THE LIBERTY POLE!



TA-DA!






Megan and I's first Liberty Pole lighting together



The snow looks like stars



The parade to Manhattan Square Park



Rochester Mayor (Lieutenant Governor Elect of New York State) Bob Duffy (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Robert_Duffy_(politician)) with Megan's friend Erica and her son Noah.  It's really nice to talk with a mayor of a city and he thanks you for moving to his town.  Well, you are welcome.  



Western New York is a lot like western Michigan.  I forgot what it was like to never see the snow stop falling...



Megan and I looking for the perfect Christmas Wreath for our little home at the Public Market






MEGAN FOUND IT!


Other than a couple of job interviews and finding out Megan is directly related to William the Conqueror, that's about it.  Now to watch the Bills...