ROCHESTER, N.Y. — The City of Rochester plans to shut down part of North Clinton Avenue on Saturday night, the final night of the 56th annual Puerto Rican Festival at Parcel 5.
Although the festival is in a different part of the city, Rochester leaders have been concerned about violence around North Clinton Avenue from gatherings after the festival finishes. Early Friday morning, gunfire broke out among a crowd of at least 100 people who gathered on Remington Street, a block from North Clinton Avenue, after the festival’s first night. In 2023, four people were wounded, and one person was killed after overnight shootings on North Clinton Avenue, after the festival’s second night.
Last year, businesses on North Clinton Avenue got letters ordering them to close early on the final Saturday of the festival to “ensure neighborhood safety and security,” and so police could better secure the area. This year, business owners didn’t get those letters. Instead, the city plans to shut down North Clinton Avenue starting at 6 p.m. on Saturday. News10NBC’s Garrett Chan asked business owners to share their thoughts on the city’s response.
Response from business owners
Business owners said they’re not happy with the city’s decision to close the street, because they lost businesses last year when they were forced to close early. Most businesses on North Clinton Avenue stay open to 11 p.m. In 2025, the city forced businesses to close at 4 p.m…