economic growth. Two key areas exemplify how thoughtful infrastructure investments can transform commercial potential and attract diverse enterprises. “Canal Ponds Business Park is a couple hundred acres that the Town’s Development Corporation purchased from Eastman Kodak in the nineties,” Copey says.“It’s a good-sized business park with a mix of office use, a BJ’s Wholesale Club, and a couple of hotels. Ortho Clinical has their headquarters there, and IBM had a major data center there which was later purchased by the University of Rochester.” Despite these successes, Canal Ponds faces infrastructure challenges that have limited its full potential. The business park adjoins the New York State Route 390 Highway with an interchange at Lexington Avenue but lacks the direct highway access it was originally intended to have. Recognizing this barrier to growth, the town secured funding to address the issue. “We got a grant from the Metropolitan Planning Organization last year and finished a study on how best to make that highway connection,” 34 CIVIL AND MUNICIPAL VOLUME 06, ISSUE 06
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