Federal EPA grant will pay for Union St. parking lot beautification

The Union Street parking lot will get a face lift with an emphasis on green. (Courtesy photo)

ROCHESTER - The city of Rochester announced today that it has been chosen to take part in the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's Greening America's Communities program.
Rochester is one of just three cities nationwide to be chosen for the program this year, and will have a design process completed and paid for by the EPA that will result in the beautification of the Union Street parking lot and a portion of North Main Street.
"This is a spectacular opportunity for design professionals to put a new set of eyes on Rochester's downtown, and provide some great feedback and innovative design recommendations," City Manager Daniel Fitzpatrick said. "I'm confident that this collaborative effort will have a lasting positive impact on our community."
Greening America's Communities is an EPA program designed to help cities and towns implement environmentally friendly neighborhoods that incorporate green infrastructure and other sustainable design strategies.
A team of designers will visit Rochester and, with community input, craft a strategy to overhaul the chosen areas in a way that's both sustainable and modern.
Members of the public are invited to learn more about the program at two upcoming open houses:
Tuesday, July 10, from 7-9 p.m. at the Rochester Performing Arts Space at 32 North Main St.
Thursday, July 12, from 12-1 p.m. at the City Hall Annex.
Those who would like to attend are asked to RSVP to Assistant City Engineer Owen Friend-Gray at owen.friend-gray@rochesternh.net.