Fairport Forward Tue, 09 Jun 2026 13:04:47 -0400 https://fairportforward.buzzsprout.com en-us © 2026 Fairport Forward yes Fairport, NY, USA c0ee6723-1cad-5a8b-af64-5b5cced0ed8a 7be5d0ab-ccd7-4b14-a683-8dfc3038a990 Fairport Office of Community and Economic Development (OCED) episodic false Fairport Forward explores what the Village can become, how it can grow, and how the community can help shape its future. Each episode takes a deeper look at the ideas, values, and opportunities that can move Fairport forward while staying true to the spirit that defines it. 

]]> Buzzsprout (https://www.buzzsprout.com) fairport, economic development, finger lakes, DRI, downtown revitalization Fairport Office of Community and Economic Development (OCED) https://storage.buzzsprout.com/ipve21c5rnqo9h5izawuy500ykqx?.jpg Fairport Forward https://fairportforward.buzzsprout.com Johnna McCooey Amy Olds Return on Experience: Investing in Public Art Return on Experience: Investing in Public Art In this episode of Fairport Forward, we explore how art shapes everyday life in Fairport and why that matters for the Village’s future. From benches, banners, and streetscape details to live music, seasonal events, and local maker spaces, creativity is woven into how Fairport looks, sounds, and feels. Joined by guest Pat Rapp, we discuss how art influences behavior downtown, strengthens community identity, and supports the local economy by increasing foot traffic, encouraging exploration, and signaling quality to businesses and investors. The conversation also looks ahead to opportunities like the proposed Public Art Trail and how Fairport can invest in art strategically as “soft infrastructure” that supports long-term growth.

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]]> In this episode of Fairport Forward, we explore how art shapes everyday life in Fairport and why that matters for the Village’s future. From benches, banners, and streetscape details to live music, seasonal events, and local maker spaces, creativity is woven into how Fairport looks, sounds, and feels. Joined by guest Pat Rapp, we discuss how art influences behavior downtown, strengthens community identity, and supports the local economy by increasing foot traffic, encouraging exploration, and signaling quality to businesses and investors. The conversation also looks ahead to opportunities like the proposed Public Art Trail and how Fairport can invest in art strategically as “soft infrastructure” that supports long-term growth.

Mentioned in this episode:


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]]> Fairport Office of Community and Economic Development (OCED) Buzzsprout-18755893 Tue, 03 Mar 2026 07:00:00 -0500 1456 1 9 full false Pat Rapp Johnna McCooey Amy Olds Meet the Projects: Part 2 Meet the Projects: Part 2 What public projects could shape the future of downtown Fairport? In Meet the Projects, Part 2, we’re joined by Fairport Village Manager Bryan White to break down the conceptual public projects included in the Village’s Downtown Revitalization Initiative application and the vision behind them. 

Contact Bryan White, Fairport's Village Manager

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]]> What public projects could shape the future of downtown Fairport? In Meet the Projects, Part 2, we’re joined by Fairport Village Manager Bryan White to break down the conceptual public projects included in the Village’s Downtown Revitalization Initiative application and the vision behind them. 

Contact Bryan White, Fairport's Village Manager

Find Fairport OCED Online:

]]> Fairport Office of Community and Economic Development (OCED) Buzzsprout-18676930 Tue, 17 Feb 2026 07:00:00 -0500 1470 1 8 full false Bryan White Johnna McCooey Amy Olds Meet the Projects: Part 1 Meet the Projects: Part 1 In this episode, we take a step back to refresh listeners on the conceptual private projects included in the Village of Fairport’s Downtown Revitalization Initiative (DRI) application, reconnecting them to the community priorities we’ve been exploring this season.

From new housing and mixed-use development to canal frontage enhancements, historic preservation, and expanded arts, cultural, and educational spaces, this episode highlights how private investments support goals like walkability, economic vitality, and an active downtown.

Download Full Project Descriptions (PDF)

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]]> In this episode, we take a step back to refresh listeners on the conceptual private projects included in the Village of Fairport’s Downtown Revitalization Initiative (DRI) application, reconnecting them to the community priorities we’ve been exploring this season.

From new housing and mixed-use development to canal frontage enhancements, historic preservation, and expanded arts, cultural, and educational spaces, this episode highlights how private investments support goals like walkability, economic vitality, and an active downtown.

Download Full Project Descriptions (PDF)

Find Fairport OCED Online:

]]> Fairport Office of Community and Economic Development (OCED) Buzzsprout-18611620 Tue, 03 Feb 2026 06:00:00 -0500 1383 1 7 full false Moving at Village Speed Moving at Village Speed In this episode of Fairport Forward, we explore how the way people move through Fairport shapes how the Village feels and why that matters for the local economy. Drawing from our community survey feedback, we talk about how Fairport is at its best when it’s experienced at human scale: walking along Main Street, biking into town, docking along the canal, and lingering a little longer.

We discuss why walkability is one of Fairport’s core strengths, how calm and predictable movement supports local businesses, and how different modes of transportation can work together. Joined by urbanist Arian Horbovetz, we look at what works in other village-scale communities and how Fairport can build on what already makes it special.

The Urban Phoenix Blog: https://theurbanphoenix.com/

Find Fairport OCED Online:

]]> In this episode of Fairport Forward, we explore how the way people move through Fairport shapes how the Village feels and why that matters for the local economy. Drawing from our community survey feedback, we talk about how Fairport is at its best when it’s experienced at human scale: walking along Main Street, biking into town, docking along the canal, and lingering a little longer.

We discuss why walkability is one of Fairport’s core strengths, how calm and predictable movement supports local businesses, and how different modes of transportation can work together. Joined by urbanist Arian Horbovetz, we look at what works in other village-scale communities and how Fairport can build on what already makes it special.

The Urban Phoenix Blog: https://theurbanphoenix.com/

Find Fairport OCED Online:

]]> Fairport Office of Community and Economic Development (OCED) Buzzsprout-18571865 Tue, 27 Jan 2026 06:00:00 -0500 2004 1 6 full false Arian Horbovetz Johnna McCooey Amy Olds Loved by Visitors, Built for Residents Loved by Visitors, Built for Residents Today we’re talking about tourism in Fairport - why we’re proud that people want to visit, and why balancing that popularity with everyday life can sometimes be challenging. We’ll explore what tourism means for our local economy, how it affects residents, and how communities can manage growth intentionally. To help ground the conversation, we’re joined by Katie Dee from Visit Rochester, the official tourism promotion agency for Monroe County and the Finger Lakes region.

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]]> Today we’re talking about tourism in Fairport - why we’re proud that people want to visit, and why balancing that popularity with everyday life can sometimes be challenging. We’ll explore what tourism means for our local economy, how it affects residents, and how communities can manage growth intentionally. To help ground the conversation, we’re joined by Katie Dee from Visit Rochester, the official tourism promotion agency for Monroe County and the Finger Lakes region.

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]]> Fairport Office of Community & Economic Development Buzzsprout-18469867 Tue, 13 Jan 2026 08:00:00 -0500 1403 1 5 full false Katie Dee Johnna McCooey Amy Olds Room to Stay: Housing Options for a Thriving Fairport Room to Stay: Housing Options for a Thriving Fairport Today we’re talking about something that’s become impossible to ignore: housing in the Village and why it matters for everyone, even if you’re not looking to move.

A healthy village needs enough homes for the people who want to live here...at different ages, different incomes, and different stages of life.

In this conversation, we’re digging into what kinds of housing fit a village like ours. We’ll talk about what we heard from you, and what practical steps could help us create more homes so more people who love our Village have room to stay.

Find Fairport OCED Online:

]]> Today we’re talking about something that’s become impossible to ignore: housing in the Village and why it matters for everyone, even if you’re not looking to move.

A healthy village needs enough homes for the people who want to live here...at different ages, different incomes, and different stages of life.

In this conversation, we’re digging into what kinds of housing fit a village like ours. We’ll talk about what we heard from you, and what practical steps could help us create more homes so more people who love our Village have room to stay.

Find Fairport OCED Online:

]]> Fairport OCED Buzzsprout-18455610 Tue, 06 Jan 2026 07:00:00 -0500 1304 1 4 full false Village Vibes: Protecting Our Charm Village Vibes: Protecting Our Charm What gives Fairport its "village charm?" In this episode, we talk about the small details and shared experiences that make our village feel special. From walkable streets, local shops, and historic character to canal views, community events, and everyday moments of connection. We also discuss how thoughtful planning and intentional choices can help protect what residents love while supporting a vibrant, welcoming Main Street. Charm isn’t accidental...it’s something we choose together as Fairport moves forward.

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]]> What gives Fairport its "village charm?" In this episode, we talk about the small details and shared experiences that make our village feel special. From walkable streets, local shops, and historic character to canal views, community events, and everyday moments of connection. We also discuss how thoughtful planning and intentional choices can help protect what residents love while supporting a vibrant, welcoming Main Street. Charm isn’t accidental...it’s something we choose together as Fairport moves forward.

Find Fairport OCED Online:

]]> Fairport OCED Buzzsprout-18379391 Tue, 30 Dec 2025 06:00:00 -0500 1540 1 3 full false Smarter Parking for a Stronger Village Smarter Parking for a Stronger Village In this episode of Fairport Forward, we dig into one of the most talked about topics from our community survey: parking. Residents told us it’s a top concern — and we explore why. Johnna, Amy, and guest Jill Wiedrick (Village Planner for the Village of Fairport) unpack the strong feelings around parking, then compare those perceptions with the findings of recent parking studies.

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]]> In this episode of Fairport Forward, we dig into one of the most talked about topics from our community survey: parking. Residents told us it’s a top concern — and we explore why. Johnna, Amy, and guest Jill Wiedrick (Village Planner for the Village of Fairport) unpack the strong feelings around parking, then compare those perceptions with the findings of recent parking studies.

Find Fairport OCED Online:

]]> Fairport Office of Community & Economic Development Buzzsprout-18338998 Tue, 16 Dec 2025 06:00:00 -0500 2861 1 2 full false Jill Wiedrick Johnna McCooey Amy Olds What Makes Fairport, Fairport? What Makes Fairport, Fairport? In our first episode of Fairport Forward, hosts Johnna McCooey and Amy Olds introduce the podcast and explain why they wanted to start this series now —before any grant decision — so the community’s ideas and feedback don’t stay buried in a spreadsheet. This episode highlights key themes that emerged from public engagement events, including what people love most about Fairport, what’s behind the “Fairport Feeling,” and how we can honor what people love while planning responsibly for the future.

Find Fairport OCED Online:

]]> In our first episode of Fairport Forward, hosts Johnna McCooey and Amy Olds introduce the podcast and explain why they wanted to start this series now —before any grant decision — so the community’s ideas and feedback don’t stay buried in a spreadsheet. This episode highlights key themes that emerged from public engagement events, including what people love most about Fairport, what’s behind the “Fairport Feeling,” and how we can honor what people love while planning responsibly for the future.

Find Fairport OCED Online:

]]> Fairport Office of Community & Economic Development Buzzsprout-18286439 Tue, 02 Dec 2025 13:00:00 -0500 1373 1 1 full false