Downtown Definitely’s Programming at Austin Steward Plaza Draws Residents, Workers and Visitors to Rochester’s Newest Riverfront Destination

Sep 16

Two more Downtown Definitely Events Still to Come This Season

ROCHESTER, N.Y.—September 16, 2025—Leaders from the City of Rochester, Monroe County and New York State agencies joined the Rochester Downtown Development Corporation on Tuesday afternoon at Austin Steward Plaza to celebrate the success of the Downtown Definitely Events held at the riverfront space in 2025.

The brief remarks followed Yoga on the Riverway, a free outdoor yoga session featuring friendly goats and smoothies, which drew more than 100 participants to Austin Steward Plaza along the Genesee River. The event marked the second-to-last program of the season at the plaza and was part of RDDC’s four-month Downtown Definitely Events series. This year’s series has included Midday Bash, Movies With a Downtown View, RPO Under the Stars and MVP Fall Fest. RPO Under the Stars and MVP Fall Fest are co-produced with the city of Rochester.

Austin Steward Plaza, located along the Genesee Riverway Trail on State St. between E. Main and Andrews streets, hosted two recurring Downtown Definitely programs in 2025, Yoga on the Riverway and Sunset Sips. Both events were designed to activate the downtown riverfront and offer welcoming, accessible programming as part of the ongoing ROC the Riverway initiative.

"It has been an incredible summer on the Riverway. We are thrilled to reactivate riverfront spaces as the City of Rochester and New York State continue their work to revitalize the Genesee riverfront, an incredible downtown asset," said Galin Brooks, president and CEO of the Rochester Downtown Development Corporation.

"None of this is possible without the leadership and vision of our partners and supporters at Empire State Development, COMIDA, OneROC, the University of Rochester, and the 80-plus small and local businesses, nonprofits and community leaders who support Rochester Downtown Development Corporation's work every day," Brooks said.

Representatives from state and local government emphasized the power of partnerships in transforming Rochester’s riverfront into an active, welcoming destination for residents and visitors alike. Deputy Mayor Michael Burns spoke on behalf of Mayor Malik D. Evans.

“The first season of events at Austin Steward Plaza helped bring a new energy to the Rochester riverfront. A vibrant downtown is the heart of a city, and these kinds of events bring people together and enhance the downtown experience,” said Josie McClary, Monroe County’s Chief Community Engagement Officer. “I want to thank Galin Brooks and her team at Rochester Downtown Development Corporation for helping to revitalize the Genesee Riverway.”

“This season of Downtown Definitely Events at Austin Steward Plaza has successfully achieved the City’s goal of turning our face back to the river,” said Mayor Malik D. Evans. “This is a testament to what happens when public servants, private partners, and residents unite around a common goal: inevitable progress. I look forward to another engaging season of Rochester Downtown Development Corporation's programming next year, which will help keep our downtown public spaces vibrant and celebratory throughout the summer.”

"OneROC is proud to support Downtown Definitely, not only because these events are so fun but because we know how important they are to the strategy of growing economic vitality in our downtown," said Joseph Stefko, president and CEO of OneROC. "Year after year, this series shows that downtown is the place where creativity and community meet. Congratulations to the Rochester Downtown Development Corporation on another incredibly successful season."

The season of activation at Austin Steward Plaza is part of the broader ROC the Riverway initiative, which aims to reconnect downtown Rochester with its riverfront through infrastructure investment, placemaking and community events. To learn more about ROC the Riverway and the upcoming ROC the Riverway Weekend from September 26 to 28, visit: cityofrochester.gov/roc-riverway-weekend.

For more information about Downtown Definitely Events, visit downtownrochesterny.com.

2025 Downtown Definitely Events Coming Up

MVP Fall Fest

Saturday, September 27

11 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Parcel 5, 285 E. Main St., Rochester

Free!

A seasonal celebration featuring pumpkin decorating, giant inflatables, petting zoo, games, crafts, giveaways, and the City of Rochester’s “Little Kids and Big Rigs” program, where children can explore police cars, fire trucks, SWAT vehicles, construction equipment, and more.

MVP Fall Fest is produced in partnership with the City of Rochester. To learn more, visit: rochesterdowntown.com/fall-fest.

Yoga on the Riverway

Tuesday, September 30

Noon to 1 p.m.

Austin Steward Plaza, Genesee Riverway Trail

Rochester

Free!

Yoga on the Riverway, a new addition to Downtown Definitely Events, offers a rejuvenating outdoor yoga session in the heart of downtown featuring friendly goats. Healthy grab-and-go refreshments will be available. Sign-ups are encouraged in advance. To learn more, visit: rochesterdowntown.com/yoga-on-the-riverway.

The 2025 Downtown Definitely Events series is supported by University of Rochester, Rochester Gas and Electric, MVP Health Care, Buckingham Properties, VIDA, Partners + Napier, Tipping Point Communications, with support from media partners 13WHAM, CITY Magazine, WXXI, The Little Theatre, News8 WROC, Democrat & Chronicle, News10NBC and iHeartMedia. Two of the events are co-produced with the City of Rochester.

Getting to Parcel 5

Bike Racks - Bicycle racks are available near Parcel 5. Attendees are encouraged to secure their bikes with a lock.

E-bike and Scooter Share - Veo’s shared micromobility program offers e-bikes and scooters for easy travel throughout downtown. To download the Veo app and for more information, visit: veoride.com/riding-in-rochester.

Bus Routes - Regional Transit Service - Parcel 5 is accessible via multiple RTS routes. The RTS Transit Center on St. Paul St. is a short walk from the event space. Visit myRTS.com for schedules and real-time bus tracking.

Parking - There are several surface lots and parking garages near Parcel 5. Metered on-street parking is enforced weekdays from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Drivers can use the Flowbird app to pay for on-street metered parking via mobile app. Midtown Garage (Clinton and Broad St.) offers convenient access with a stairwell leading to Parcel 5. Parking rates for Midday Bash events are $2 for the first two hours and $2 for each additional hour or fraction. Evening event rates are a flat $7. All major credit cards accepted.

Getting to Austin Steward Plaza

Austin Steward Plaza is located along the Genesee Riverway Trail in downtown Rochester. The plaza sits on the west bank of the Genesee River, between Main and Andrews streets. Visitors can access the plaza from entrances near the riverfront at Main and Andrews streets, as well as from State St. The site is part of the broader ROC the Riverway initiative and offers scenic river views, pedestrian pathways and public gathering spaces.

Bike Racks - Bicycle racks are available near Austin Steward Plaza. Attendees are encouraged to secure their bikes with a lock.

Bus Routes - Austin Steward Plaza is accessible via multiple RTS routes, with a stop at State and Church. The RTS Transit Center on St. Paul Street is a short walk from the event space via the Sister Cities Bridge. Visit myRTS.com for schedules and real-time bus tracking.

Parking - There are several surface lots and parking garages near Austin Steward Plaza. The closest garage is the Genesee Crossroads Garage, with an entrance on Andrews Street, offering rates of $2 for the first hour and $2 for each additional hour. Additional nearby options include the Sister Cities Garage at 28 N. Fitzhugh St., also with rates of $2 for the first hour and $2 for each additional hour. Other privately operated surface lots are also available; rates vary. Metered on-street parking is enforced weekdays from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Drivers can use the Flowbird app to pay for metered parking from a mobile device.

For more information, visit downtowndefinitely.com, email info@downtowndefinitely.com, or call 585-546-6920.

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About Downtown Definitely Events

Downtown Definitely Events is a series of free events and activities launched in 2022 and produced by the Rochester Downtown Development Corporation (RDDC). Downtown Definitely Events take place in downtown Rochester from June through September 2025 and include food, festivals, music, movies, and more, shining a light on downtown to create new experiences and help bring the community together. Downtown Definitely is a joint initiative of NYS Empire State Development, OneROC, Greater ROC, Rochester Downtown Development Corporation and the City of Rochester. Their shared mission is to grow economic vitality in downtown Rochester by bringing the community together and improving its street-level and riverfront experience.

About Rochester Downtown Development Corporation (RDDC)

RDDC is a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit organization founded in 1977. Its mission is to drive economic vitality in downtown Rochester. RDDC accelerates downtown development by positioning and marketing assets that attract businesses and investment, and it catalyzes innovative ideas that make downtown a more vibrant and inclusive community. In 2020, RDDC built The Commissary, the region’s first and only food business incubator and shared kitchen.

Amanda Antinore