ROCHESTER, N.Y. — Mayor Malik Evans and other city leaders officially declared Parcel 5 a permanent green space on Tuesday.

It comes as the space along East Main Street in downtown Rochester is gearing up to host free headline acts at the CGI Rochester International Jazz Festival.

Mayor Evans spoke about the city’s plans for Parcel 5. Those plans include increased access to electricity and water for vendors, better Wi-Fi, installing low fencing for ticketed events, adding bike racks, and creating a designated dog area.

The original plan was to develop the spot after Midtown Plaza was torn down. In 2021, the city temporarily converted the land into an outdoor entertainment space featuring wide lawns, a walking path, and room for pop-up retail.

Since then, Parcel 5 has held outdoor concerts for the jazz festival and the Rochester Fringe Festival which have drawn thousands. That includes an electric performance from Trombone Shorty & Orleans Avenue last year. There have also been food trucks and festivities at Parcel 5 for the Midday Bash and film screenings for Movies with a Downtown View.