The Landmark Society has lost its final bid to save a historic mail chute factory on Anderson Avenue. The building's owner, however, promised to consult neighbors before moving forward with any changes.
The preservation group sued the City of Rochester last year after it denied an application to designate the former Cutler Mail Chute Co. building a historical landmark. A State Supreme Court justice dismissed the lawsuit July 7, ruling the city's planning commission acted within its authority to deny the proposal.
In an Aug. 19 Facebook post, the Landmark Society of Western New York said it was disappointed by the decision.
"We remain firm in our belief that the building is an important part of Rochester's industrial and architectural heritage,"
the post said. "Our effort was never about opposing thoughtful redevelopment or growth in the city, but about ensuring that historically significant places receive meaningful consideration as part of those processes."
Fate of Cutler Mail Chute Co. building unknown
The Cutler Mail Chute Co. building dates back to 1908. It once produced thousands of mail chutes designed by James Goold Cutler, a Rochester architect and former mayor of the city. The boxes created a central depository for mail collection in iconic skyscrapers across the world, including the Chrysler Building and Empire State Building in New York City.
The factory closed in 1970 and has sat vacant for several years. The dispute over the building has become a flashpoint in Rochester's long-running debates over redevelopment and historic preservation.
The Landmark Society and residents from the Neighborhood of the Arts wanted to protect the exterior of the building, which includes a rare, intact sawtooth roof and a glazed terracotta Cutler emblem that capture the industrial charm of that era. They said a historical landmark designation would not impose restrictions on changes to the inside of the building at 76-94 Anderson Ave. And, pointing to a real estate listing for the address, the Landmark Society worried the structure would be torn down if they didn't act.
The building's owner, however, told the planning commission he would abandon efforts to redevelop the property if it were landmarked. During a 2025 public hearing, developer Fred Rinaldi Jr. said he needed flexibility to make structural design changes ― to things like doors, windows and elevators ― in order to make the property attractive and accessible for modern tenants.
Still, Rinaldi said he recognized the value of the building and wanted to work with the community.
"I've made a promise to the neighborhood association ... that I would not submit an application to the city until the neighborhood has had every minute to sit with me, review, understand where my head and my heart are as it relates to this application," he told the commission. "And I have not stepped away from that promise, and I will not step away from that promise."
In a follow up letter to the court, Rinaldi said the online mockup was a marketing tool and did not represent his true plans for the space. Rinaldi could not immediately be reached for comment.
— Kayla Canne covers community safety for the Democrat and Chronicle with a focus on immigration, police accountability, government surveillance and how people are impacted by violence. Follow her on Instagram @bykaylacanne. Get in touch at kcanne@gannett.com.
This article originally appeared on Rochester Democrat and Chronicle: Historic Rochester factory loses landmark fight | Exclusive
