ROCHESTER DOWNTOWN ALLIANCE
Non-Profit Spotlight
Non-Profit Spotlight: Rochester Downtown Alliance Taking an in-depth look at a local non-profit, Rochester Downtown Alliance and their community impact Tell us about Rochester Downtown Alliance. The Rochester Downtown Alliance (RDA) is a nonprofit organization dedicated to creating a vibrant, welcoming, fun and connected Downtown for all. We lead placemaking efforts, produce signature events, and drive marketing that showcases Downtown Rochester
For example, one of their early initiatives was Here Comes
Thursdays Downtown
Santa Clause in which Santa is rescued from the top of City Hall and children could have their photo
taken with Santa for free. He’s now been rescued for 51 straight years in Downtown! The
founding belief of our organizations, still true today, was simple: a strong Downtown strengthens the entire city.
How has your organization
evolved over the years? In our early years, RDA focused primarily on large events and attracting foot traffic. Today, our work is more layered, but all still designed to increase foot traffic and increase the pedestrian experience: we offer wellness programming like Fresh Air Fitness, support local creators through vendor opportunities, fund grassroots events with Startup Event Grants, and enhance public space with interactive art, music, and décor. We produce iconic Rochester events like Thursdays Downtown, Social Ice, Dogs Downtown and more. Our Clean & Safe Ambassadors now care for public areas year-round, reinforcing Downtown as a clean, welcoming place. Coming out of the pandemic, Downtown stakeholders said there’s a need to increase the marketing of businesses and the Downtown experience. So we’ve shifted to increase our marketing efforts, helping to fill the void between all the incredible things that happen Downtown to those in the community that are looking for things to do, incredible restaurants to experience, and unique shops to explore! Please share a highlight of how your organization has impacted the region. One standout example is Thursdays Downtown. What started as a modest weekly summer event has grown into a 9-week community celebration that draws nearly 100,000 attendees annually. It creates significant economic benefit for Downtown businesses and vendors
Dancing Downtown
as a destination for locals, regional visitors and Mayo Clinic guests. Our work spans four pillars: marketing & promotion, events & activation, placemaking & experience, and our Clean & Safe Ambassador Program - all focused on enhancing the vitality of the 44-block Special Service District (SSD) we serve. What inspired the founding of Rochester Downtown Alliance in 2005? The RDA was formed when Rochester leaders recognized that Downtown needed renewed energy to remain a vital part of the city’s identity and economy. As suburban malls drew businesses away from the urban core (a common story throughout our nation), a volunteer Downtown Business Association evolved into a formal organization of Downtown stakeholders to help draw people into the center of our city.
14 | ROCHESTER AREA CHAMBER OF COMMERCE ADVANTAGE MAGAZINE — APRIL 2026
Made with FlippingBook Annual report maker