ROCHESTER, NY — The City of Rochester implemented new changes to the East End Entertainment District Thursday night, rolling back some restrictions implemented when the “Special Event District” was established a month ago.

The initial restrictions banned certain bags, cars on some streets and 18-year-olds from entering the entire area.

But after Mayor Malik Evans said the last four weeks had been successful with no violence or gunfire on the East Side, the city decided to allow 18-year-olds back to the area.

“Overnight, public drinking, hanging out, parking and general browsing in the area has completely disappeared,” said East End property owner Blake Gianniny.

Gianniny says most people he talks to think the change is positive, and he thinks so too.

“Everyone who’s been here for the last four weeks has enjoyed the quiet. There are no cars passing us. You can walk across the street to another bar or restaurant. You can talk on the sidewalk and no cars will pass you. You can hear the atmosphere in every bar. It’s been very positive,” he said.

But not everyone enjoys the silence. Donald Schwartz, who owns two businesses on East Ave., says his tequila bar Aqua Vitae is feeling the effects of the restrictions.

“Over the past four weeks our sales have plummeted, and that’s with many businesses in the corridor stuck in this safety zone,” Schwartz said.

He added: “I know some businesses don’t want to talk about it. But I know some sales have dropped as much as 50 percent or even 60 percent in four-week totals. Our house next door has been in the 40th percentile for four weeks. I don’t know how many businesses can operate at a 40 percent loss every week. “It’s not a sustainable situation for a long time.”

Schwartz appreciates that the city is aware of his concerns, but he thinks what’s being done is too much and is pushing people and problems elsewhere in Rochester.

“The bar owners we spoke to said they closed Park Ave, let people in because of overcapacity and were too busy. So, you know, this had a negative impact on us. “And there were problems outside of this region as well,” he said.

Evans says they will continue to maintain the balance and change things along the way as the area recovers. He doesn’t want the good-time atmosphere of the East Coast to disappear.

The municipality says they have a lot planned for this area. The first thing they’re going to do is turn the corner of East and Alexander into a Bills viewing party this Sunday.

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