The City of Rochester is seeking public feedback on the future of the former School Street School and former William Allen School properties.

In 2025, the Rochester School Department closed the two aging schools to reduce costs and consolidate students and staff into other elementary schools throughout the city. Following the closures, ownership of both properties was transferred back to the City of Rochester. To help guide future use of the sites, the City is gathering community input through a public survey.

Ultimately, the City plans to issue Requests for Proposals to local developers that could potentially incorporate community feedback. The survey invites residents to share information about their neighborhoods, including concerns related to safety, traffic, parking, and other impacts. It also asks for input on the types of redevelopment or adaptive reuse residents would like to see on the properties.

According to the City’s Planning and Development Department, both the William Allen School and School Street School parcels are currently zoned Residential-2.

Permitted uses within this district include accessory apartments, such as in-law and security units; multifamily, two-family, and single-family dwellings and multifamily development; home occupations at Levels 1 through 3 as accessory uses; senior housing; temporary structures; resident day care; small wind energy systems; and recreation or park uses.

Conditional uses may include assisted living facilities; conservation subdivisions, flag lots, and zero lot line development; reuse of existing agricultural buildings; antique shops, artist studios, convenience stores, and houses of worship; laundry establishments, libraries, and museums; schools serving kindergarten through grade 12 or other educational purposes; second-hand shops; parking lots; and bed-and-breakfast lodging.

Special exceptions may allow community residences, adult day care or family day care, accessory commercial or industrial solar installations, utility substations, and crop farming. Electric vehicle charging stations are permitted as an accessory use for personal use, and accessory residential solar installations may be permitted or allowed by special exception.

Click here to take the survey.