The City of Rochester and Roc Holiday Village announce plans to install 25 Winter Greenhouses at restaurants in the City for the winter season!
Restaurants Can Apply Now to be Entered into a Lottery to Receive a Free Greenhouse Rental for up to Four Months
The Winter Greenhouses project is a part of the City of Rochester’s Jumpstarting ROC reopening plan.
Restaurants can apply now to have a freestanding Winter Greenhouse installed at their location to use at no cost* throughout the cold-weather season.
*Restaurants are responsible for heat, electricity, furnishing, and outfitting the greenhouses, and securing them from damage/ vandalism.
The deadline for applications is Monday, January 11 by 5 PM.
The Winter Greenhouses provide restaurants an opportunity to extend their business space outside and remain compliant with State coronavirus guidelines, including those in Orange Zones. The City is waiving outdoor dining permit fees during the pandemic and has developed a streamlined permitting process to facilitate a fast and safe opening.
The initiative allows a greenhouse to be in place on private property, a sidewalk or a portion of the street for up to four months. Restaurants would have up to three weeks to begin operating greenhouses, which could push the opening to a time when the city is not in an Orange Zone.
The greenhouses will be distributed among city Neighborhood Service Center quadrants. Once an application has been received, the team from Roc Holiday Village will conduct an initial site visit to determine if the space will accommodate the greenhouse. If there are more eligible applicants in a quadrant than available greenhouses, a lottery will be held online to determine the award on Wednesday, January 13 followed by an announcement to the public.
About the Greenhouses
- Each greenhouse measures 8-feet high and 8-feet wide and is made with aluminum framing and clear crystal polycarbonate built to withstand snow and wind.
- Capacity will be from four to ten people pending restrictions and in accordance with public health and safety guidelines.
More Information
The team from Roc Holiday Village will work hand-in-hand with the restaurants selected from the lottery to help create a way to integrate the greenhouse structure into your existing business to maximize the restaurant’s profits. They will share their experiences and expertise from the popular Winter Igloos that sold out during the Roc Holiday Village festivals in 2018 and 2019.
Restaurants selected to participate will be also be required to apply for a City of Rochester permit via the Flower City Winter Sidewalks Program (permit fees are currently being waived), sign a contractual agreement with Roc Holiday Village, and provide additional insurance rider and waiver to Roc Holiday Village.
