Follow along during our six week series that introduces you to a new face in a different Rochester neighborhood each week.
“Most developers in the Rochester area are not willing to take risks. We’ve been seeing the same boring renditions of the same boring designs for decades. It’s like factory production and it insults the intelligence of our citizens.”
That is Jason Longo’s take on the state of Rochester architecture and public design.
I recently met Jason through his neighbor and my best friend, Shanna. She told me, “you are going to love Jason, and he is perfect for the blog.” As usual, she was right. Jason is no bull-shit, straight-talking, and driven. He’s just like me, except male, gay, bald.
Shanna introduced me to Jason at his home that sits at the crossroads of the Beechwood and Homestead Heights neighborhoods. I was immediately struck by the stunning landscaping in his front yard, which is far superior to that of his neighbor’s yards. He takes just as much pride in his home as he does in his micro-neighborhood, stating that he loves that it has a diverse group of residents who also care about their homes and the neighborhood. Like other parts of the city there are issues of slum-lords and petty crime, but the residents are invested in their community and work to keep it a safe and beautiful area.
Speaking of “living at a crossroads,” Jason is quick to point out that he has led a bit of a double life. The first, is as the owner of JDL Design Group, a multiple service interior design firm. The second is as a superhero! Ok, technically its as a First Responder (EMT and Firefighter) and now as a part-time farmer, but those are superheroes in my book, anyways.
Design Life
Stemming from a border-line childhood obsession with legos, Jason dreamed of becoming an architect, and though that is not where his path led, it did lay the foundation for his design career . So when his family moved from their historical Lake Avenue home to a “cookie-cutter” track home in Greece, Jason found that he couldn’t control his design urges and styled the interior of his family’s home in the aim of giving it the character and depth of their previous home. This was the beginning of his business, which he launched at age 16 doing custom wallpapering and faux paint work. Painting, led to interiors, which led to more in depth design, and after working at Thomasville, Arhaus and Arenas, Jason moved to New York in 2003 to study Interior Design at FIT.
Superhero Persona
In his “other” life, Jason was a boy scout, became a volunteer fireman and eventually an EMT. He attended MCC the first time to receive an Associates degree in Fire Protection and then went back to earn a second degree in Communications & Marketing. Through his work at the Pittsford Volunteer Firehouse he connected with Charlie Rogers (CEO of CAR Engineering & Manufacturing), who led him to his son Art who was just about to open a little “slow food-esque” restaurant in Village Gate, called Lento. Jason helped Art open the restaurant, designing and installing the initial interior on a shoe-string budget and then went on to serve as the restaurant’s first General Manager. (Six Degree of Separation note is that our Week 3 feature, Stephen, immediately succeeded Jason in this position).
Jason has retired from his life-saving days as an EMT, and is now focused on the broader goal of saving the “Face of Rochester”. He has a vision for what this city’s visual impact should be, and I’m pretty convinced that isn’t going to stop at anything until the job is done, and done right.
I couldn’t help but ask Jason, “what are you favorite and least favorite Rochester buildings?”
His least favorites:
Corn Hill Landing, the new East Avenue Wegmans and the newly proposed 933 University Avenue apartment project. He said that the original concept for 933 was amazing, but then the project got dumbed down, which is disappointing. The modern style of the 1980’s era Eastman House addition to the existing historic building serves as a prime example of how 933 could be better with a more modern design and resort back to the original design plan. He’s also fairly disgusted with both the City Gate and Reserve Projects and has been weighing in on ROCville blog posts. “There is no inspiration or interest in making it look architecturally amazing or a destination in the slightest. It just looks so boring and safe and its a HUGE project that could be revolutionary to the way we live. Also there is limited to no green or sustainable focus on this project in the slightest. GROSS!”
His favorites:
The new Erie Harbor Apartment complex on Mount Hope (you know, the colorful ones), ROC City Brewing, the new Art Walk and Strong’s Museum of Play-especially the butterfly wing.
“These buildings are great examples of what Rochester could and should be building. We need to be building for the future. Our city is already behind trend and it’s only going to get worse if we don’t look and build forward.”
So how does he think that change is going to happen? “Our citizens need to get more involved with city government, especially our young professionals and urban business owners.” Jason knows that this is where he is going to need to focus his efforts in the coming years, if he wants to make a difference. Will you see Jason on a ballot sometime soon? It’s certainly a possibility.
When I asked Jason what he likes to do in his spare time around the city. He was quick to remind met that he owns a business, a house and is a part-time farmer (he farms at a friend’s land in Penfield with three huge gardens as well as chickens).
So, realistically most evenings, the extent to his social life is walking his Boston Terrier, Winnie through the neighborhood and then he’s in for the night.
But, don’t let him fool you, he’s hardly a hermit. Jason tries to stay active with RYP, he works out at Boom Town Cross Fit, and definitely enjoys the Rochester food and drink scene.
In the neighborhood his favorite are the Winfield and the Wintonaire.
Around town, he enjoys
Cheshire — ( I discovered that Jason and I both share an affinity for the Stormy Morning and the “snack”)
And after a long day you might find Jason lounging in the reclining chairs at the AMC movie theatre in Webster, even though he loves The Little, as well. But he really does love those reclining seats.
If you see Jason around town, don’t be surprised if he’s moving quickly and on his phone. He’s a busy guy. But if you get an opportunity to see him out an about, be sure to chat with him about his vision for the city, it’s as focused, creative and no-nonsense as he his.
Also, if you want to see Jason in action, check out this video of a 2003 episode from E!’s “Guess Who’s Coming to Decorate.”
Read other featured People in Our Neighborhoods:
Week One: Alyssa of North Winton Village
No Comment