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JANUARY 29, 2026 • Vol. 22, No. 2
Group to pitch community center plan for old RCS admin building BY MARY BETH ALMOND malmond@candgnews.com
ROCHESTER — A group of constituents hoping to repurpose the Rochester Community School District’s historical administration building will soon reveal their
plans to the Board of Education and the public. Robert Bloomingdale, the founder and president of Bloomingdale Construction Co., is leading the charge of the new project, dubbed “The Harrison Center.” He visited the Rochester City Council earlier
this month to introduce the idea to council members. Back in November, Bloomingdale asked the Board of Education to table any action on the district’s currently vacant building at 501 W. University Drive until he had an opportunity to make a full and comprehensive
proposal Feb. 23. “Our intent for the building is to create a community center — a building, a facility, that would be available to the community at large,” he said. Since then, Bloomingdale has been See PLAN on page 22A
ROCHESTER SERVES UP FOODIE FEBRUARY TO SUPPORT LOCAL EATERIES BY MARY BETH ALMOND
R
malmond@candgnews.com
OCHESTER — In an effort to help boost sales for local restaurants, the Rochester Downtown Development Authority is once again hosting Foodie February. The promotion, which begins Feb. 1 and runs through the end of the month, encourages patrons to dine in or carry out from any downtown Rochester restaurant, cafe, bakery or bar, and save their receipts for a chance to win prizes. Foodie February, Rochester DDA Events Coordinator Jenna O’Dell said, allows the community to support the downtown restaurants and get rewarded in the process. “We’ve had winners in the past who bought a coffee at Bean & Leaf for under $6, so you don’t have to spend a lot of money to win, which is great for a lot of people,” she said. “Just one receipt could get you a grand-prize winning.” Throughout February, patrons simply purchase an item, a meal or carryout from
ABOVE: Escape the winter blue with a Caribbean jerk chicken sandwich at Rochester Mills Beer Co. Photo provided by Rochester Mills Beer Co.
RIGHT: A package of bon bons from Asterism Artisan Chocolate includes space-themed treats alongside a heart-shaped bon bon.
See FOODIE on page 14A
Photo by Charlie Scott, of Asterism Artisan Chocolate
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