The Rochester City Council on Tuesday unanimously approved $20 million in state funding to demolish the Terrence Building, the former home of the Rochester Psychiatric Center.
Originally opened in 1959, the Terrence Building, located on Elmwood Avenue, served as a state psychiatric hospital until its closure in 1995. The building has remained vacant since then.
The building suffered substantial damage in a 2019 arson fire that drew a response from 60 firefighters.
The council's approval comes after Gov. Kathy Hochul announced earlier this year that $20 million in state funding will go toward advancing the demolition. The funding is expected to advance a multiphase, mixed-use redevelopment of the site that calls for more than 500 housing units.
— Kerria Weaver works as the Government and You reporter for the Democrat and Chronicle, with a focus on how government actions affect communities and neighborhoods in Rochester and in Monroe County. Get in touch at kweaver@gannett.com.
This article originally appeared on Rochester Democrat and Chronicle: Terrence Building demolition moves forward in Rochester
