Speaking Out Essay: Hojack Bridge has a vibrant waterfront future!

By Christopher Burns, Rochester Young Professionals

3/3/03

 Rick Armon’s most recent article on Rochester’s historical Hojack Bridge (“Hojack span nears demise”) brought to the fore a number of issues that face our community and the future of Rochester’s waterfront. Apparently there are some who consider the Hojack bridge has outlived its useful life and that it now serves merely as an unsightly obstacle to traffic in the Genesee River. Nothing could be further from the truth.

 As a recreational boater, the Hojack Bridge provides an important divider on the River, one that helps establish flows of traffic on the Genesee. For people who launch their boats from the City’s boat launch in Charlotte, the Hojack Bridge provides a comforting buffer against bi-directional river traffic. To those who allege Hojack is an obstruction to navigation, I would argue that the Hojack Bridge is akin to the grassy, tree-lined malls that divide the flow of traffic on streets on such Oxford in Rochester’s well-regarded Park Ave. / East Ave. area. Some could say those malls needlessly obstruct the flow of traffic—imagine the public outcry you would hear over plans to remove those “obstructions”!

 As a community supporter and proponent of a renewed Charlotte Harbor waterfront destination, the Hojack Bridge can and should serve a significant role. Credible artist’s renderings have already been presented to local officials depicting Hojack as an art-deco retail island of sorts—providing a restaurant, entertainment and tourist destination. Imagine the splendor of a waterfront dining experience literally in the middle of our storied Genesee River! From a tourism and recreational revenue standpoint, we can dismiss the suggestion that Hojack is obsolete. We have many exciting options available for integrating Hojack into the new Charlotte waterfront.

 From a transportation standpoint, Hojack still has years of life left—consider the plans for light rail transit in Greater Rochester. How better to transport tourists and visitors across the river in a scenic trolley than by using a historically-significant swing bridge, one that comes complete with existing rail-bed access and rights-of-way? Alternatively, we can use Hojack for vehicular traffic, or even pedestrian access across the river—we clearly have plenty of ways to use Hojack as a bridge.

 From a historical perspective, Hojack’s value cannot be overestimated—as one of only two King swing bridges left standing, it is a national gem. Hojack is truly irreplaceable, and at 98 years old, has been a part of Rochester’s history for longer than most of our residents. Let’s not lose yet another sign of Rochester’s uniqueness through an irreversible demolition by neglect.

 Having been around boats and Lake Ontario all my life, Hojack was an iconic staple of my formative years. Whenever my waterborne travels took me through the Genesee, Hojack was a familiar and impressive structure that stood tall and proud. I truly hope that when I have children, I’ll be able to revel in this turn-of-the-century engineering marvel with them—I cringe at the thought of the mindless destruction of so important a Rochester landmark. We must not destroy so visible an icon of our past, our present, and a key part of even our future.

 Please join us in our efforts to save Hojack and put it to a use befitting its history and significance to Rochester. Help us secure the time needed to fully explore all the wonderful ways we can make the Hojack Bridge part of the new Rochester Waterfront, and please offer your suggestions on how best to celebrate this historical icon. You can learn more and download petitions at www.TheBridgeProject.com and www.RochesterYoungProfessionals.org/savehojack .

 P.O. Box 92207

Rochester, New York 14692-0207

(585) 234-3524