Ontario County has issued a Request for Expressions of Interest (RFEI) for the remediation and redevelopment of the historic Manchester Roundhouse site in the Village of Manchester. Developers have until June 2 to submit proposals for the long-vacant property, which local officials see as key to economic revitalization efforts.
Built in 1916 by the Lehigh Valley Railroad, the Manchester Roundhouse is one of the last remaining structures of its kind in the eastern United States. Its historical significance has earned it recognition from preservation groups, including the Landmark Society of Western NY’s “Five to Revive” list and the Preservation League of NYS’s “Seven to Save” designation. However, the site has been abandoned, fallen into tax delinquency, and is classified as a brownfield due to contamination.
Ontario County, in collaboration with the Town and Village of Manchester and Finger Lakes Railway, has spent over a decade compiling data on the property’s condition. Officials now hope to find a developer to spearhead the long-awaited remediation and transformation of the site.
“This Request for Expressions of Interest signifies a culmination of efforts among multiple partners with a common goal to remediate and redevelop the Roundhouse site,” said Town of Manchester Supervisor Dave Phillips. “We look forward to hearing from prospective developers on their visions for revitalization.”
Village of Manchester Mayor Michael Buttaccio emphasized the economic importance of the project. “The Manchester Roundhouse was once the economic backbone of our community,” he said. “Because the property has sat dormant for so long, it has negatively impacted our local economy and quality of life among residents. Investment in the Roundhouse site would be a game-changer for the village.”
Ontario County Economic Developer Ryan Davis echoed that sentiment, noting that the project aligns with broader countywide goals. “The successful remediation and redevelopment of the Roundhouse site would be transformational for the village and the broader region,” Davis said. “It would fulfill multiple countywide goals in terms of putting vacant properties back on the tax rolls, stimulating economic growth, and attracting new people to the area.”
Developers and development teams interested in reviewing the RFEI can visit the Ontario County website at ontariocountyny.gov/1205/Manchester-Roundhouse-Site-Remediation-a. For further inquiries, contact the Ontario County Planning Department at 585-396-4455.
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