City of Rochester officials have approved steering $150,000 in federal COVID-19 relief funds toward a new sight-seeing boat on the Genesee River.
The boat would be operated by Corn Hill Navigation, a Pittsford-based non-profit which also operates the Sam Patch Erie Canal Tours out of Fairport. The company has been awarded a 20-year contract with the city to operate a ticket booth, visitor center, shower and bathroom facilities, and a small watercraft launch. That contract is set to begin on March 1, 2022, and end on Dec. 31, 2041.
The agreement and the use of COVID relief funds for the boat were approved unanimously by the Rochester City Council Tuesday evening. Both pieces of legislation were submitted by former Mayor Lovely Warren as she neared her last day in office.