The Nazarian For Penfield campaign is pleased to announce the opening of our Campaign Headquarters in the heart of the Penfield Four Corners. More than nine years ago, in September 2000, the Penfield Town Board adopted the Four Corners Plan.
The town spent tens-of-thousands of tax dollars, and hundreds of hours researching and developing the 76 page plan. The plan contains a wealth of history, challenges and ideas for moving the center of our town forward. 
I have spent some time reading and reviewing this plan and in a word, it is GOOD.
The question then is why, after more than nine years, we’ve seen little progress towards implementation? Compared to other towns around us, the center of Penfield is shabby, unimpressive and peppered with vacant storefronts.
Early on, I decided to commit more than $1,000 of our campaign funds to putting our headquarters in an empty space in the Four Corners for the month of October. This will allow me to see first-hand, the challenges and opportunities we face in making the center of our town something to be proud of.
Starting this week, I will be in the headquarters many evenings from 7:00pm to 9:00pm. Click Here for a schedule. Come on down for a cup of coffee, a snack and some good conversation about Penfield. Copies of the Four Corners Plan will be available for review.
In the in the next few days I will be posting a new video about the Four Corners and what we can do to make it better.
- Steve Nazarian's blog
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Focusing on the Four Corners
Steve - I bring an interesting perspective (although probably not an uncommon one) in that I am new to the area (2 years) but my wife grew up and has lived in penfield with-in walking distance to 4 corners so I see it in both lights. We have had several discussions about 4 corners over the years and now that I have spent time here I have some thoughts. I think we are a pretty typical family that should be drawn to 4 Corners for business and we spend a fair amount of time avoiding the area for a couple of reasons. First and foremost is access. It is simply not condusive to get in and out of any of the businesses quickly. We love Guida's pizza for instance but have been going to other locations in Webster instead of the penfield location. The 5 oclock hour is terrible. We would even like to try the los amigos but haven't. A direct correlation to this is pedestrician access. We have 2 young kids and we feel unsafe to walk across those streets alone much less with the kids. This is in stark contrast to the village of Webster, Fairport, Pittsford all of which have very pedestrian friendly main streets. As opposed to these other towns Penfield seems to have no identity. The post offices, library, town hall - all miles apart from each other - none of them near the "center of town". I know this is a lot to tackle for anyone but I would be interested in hearing what your thoughts are and how you can start addressing these issues.
Embarassment or opportunity?
Steve -
I am in full agreement that more can be done at Four Corners. Rather than creating a social and business focus for the town, we seem to have a revolving door of businesses that come and go. The master-plan may be a start, but it is only that. Much more is required to turn this intersection into a true destination within our town.
There are other opportunities for public-private partnerships to create unique destinations in Penfield. Four Corners is one - LaSalle's Landing is another. I am sure that there are more. Perhaps one goal for the new administration could be to pursue such partnerships to foster positive development of these resources in Penfield.
Embarrassment?
Hi Steve,
I am the owner of Enchanted Rose Garden and the property at 1850 Penfield Rd. located in the Four corners. I am a little surprised at your wording of your poll. Although yes as a business owner I would like to see more sucessful ventures at the 4 corners I would never call it embarrassing to be located here.
There have been many improvements over the last 6 years that we have been here, many businesses have moved here and succeded. My business is doing quite well and our tenant Delicously Different is doing well also.
Maybe that poll should be reworded to ask if we feel more should be done to implement positive changes, not are we embarrassed.
Have you visited any of the businesses located here? you might be surprised. I do love your location, hopefully if you are elected you will continue to occupy that space.
Enchanted Rose Garden
Eileen,