Monroe County Fair Association begins master plan

Work on the Monroe County Fair and Recreation Association's master plan for the fair grounds is scheduled to being this month. Two firms, considered to be the premier fair planners in the country, have been retained to do the work. Markin Consulting, a firm from Minnesota, will do the market analysis, feasibility study and business plan which will start on January 7 and be ready in mid-April. The site plan will then be designed by Bullock Smith and Partners, from Knoxville, Tennessee. The study is scheduled to be completed by September 2003.

To begin the study, the consultant will meet with different community groups on January 7 and 8 to establish what needs to be on the Fairgrounds in order to meet the needs of the community. Groups include people from the Henrietta neighborhood, town and county officials, equestrian groups, agriculturists, promoters, Cooperative Extension, the Greater Rochester Visitor's Association, Fair superintendents and Fair board members. Anyone wishing to participate in these group discussions should contact the fairground for times and dates.

"We have worked for 10 years to get to this point, and we are very excited about the redevelopment of the Fairgrounds into a community center. Using input from the community as our blueprint for the future, we will plan for new buildings, paved areas and green spaces," said Fran Tepper, Executive Director of the Monroe County Fair and Recreation Association. "This will have the positive effect of attracting new and bigger shows, which will stimulate the economy, and will provide a meeting place for community groups as well as an up-to-date and pleasing venue for our annual fair."