South Wedge

Historically, the South Wedge has been a working class area and remains so today. It is one of Rochester's long standing neighborhoods, home to two preservation districts and some of the oldest houses in the city. Even today, many residents of the Wedge can trace their families' arrival in the neighborhood to the late 19th and early 20th centuries.

In a Landmark Society survey of a portion of the neighborhood, over 200 homes were noted to have historical significance. On most South Wedge neighborhood streets, you will find an eclectic mixture of housing styles and a diversity of people, young and old and of several racial backgrounds. Most of the neighborhood's buildings and homes are either mid-19th century vernacular or one of the many Victorian era variations. In the recent years, several new buildings have been erected that are architecturally compatible with the pre-existing structures. Adjacent to South Wedge is one of the Rochester's finest elementary schools as well as Highland Park, Highland Hospital and the Genesee River .

This neighborhood has maintained much of its skilled craftworker-artisan background, resisting the pull of gentrification. South Avenue and Clinton Ave, with its urban mixture of small, independently owned shops, quality restaurants, and neighborhood services, have remained the neighborhood's central business districts for many years. While a few wholesale and manufacturing enterprises are located here, most of the shops are retail, offering everything from basic needs to luxury items and services.

The South Wedge Planning Committee is the neighborhood organization for the geographical region of urban Rochester bordered by the Inner Loop (north), the Genesee river (west), South Clinton Avenue to Gregory Street (east), Gregory Street to South, and South Avenue from Gregory to Highland Park.