Mayor Malik Evans Joins East Market Neighborhood To Unveil New Mural

Rochester, N.Y. — Mayor Malik Evans will join residents of the East Market Neighborhood on Saturday, October 25, 2025, for the unveiling of a new community mural located near the Rochester Public Market. The event will take place at 11:00 a.m. at 183 Hayward Avenue, a two-story building visible from the intersection of Railroad Street and Fourth Street near the Market’s entrance.

The mural was created through a partnership between local artists, community volunteers, and neighborhood organizations. It was funded by a $7,500 grant from the Neighbors in Action program, which is co-sponsored by the City of Rochester, the Rochester Area Community Foundation, and ESL Federal Credit Union.

Those expected to attend include neighborhood residents, mural artists, and volunteers, along with community leaders such as Mayor Malik Evans and City Council Member Mitch Gruber.

The East Market Neighborhood, located just east of the Rochester Public Market, includes sections of Hayward Avenue, Garson Avenue, Peck Street, Fourth Street, and Fair Place. The area’s history is closely tied to the Market’s development. Most of the homes were constructed between 1905 and 1920, following the Market’s relocation from its original site on the Genesee River to its current location on Union Street. Early residents often worked at the Market or nearby businesses along Railroad Street.

In recent years, the East Market Neighborhood has experienced renewed growth, attracting new homeowners seeking affordable housing and proximity to the city’s cultural and commercial districts. The community is known for its diversity, active engagement, and convenient access to restaurants and amenities within walking distance.

The neighborhood association, active for more than five decades, recently voted to adopt the East Market Neighborhood name to emphasize its historic connection to the Public Market. Previously known as the GP4H Neighborhood — representing Garson, Peck, Fourth, and Hayward — the group continues its mission to build community, beautify public spaces, and encourage homeownership.

The mural project was developed as part of the neighborhood’s rebranding initiative. The East Market Neighborhood Association collaborated with The Yards Collective, a community arts organization based at the Public Market, and Taproot Collective, a local nonprofit dedicated to creative place and community development. Together, the organizations worked with residents and volunteers to design and paint the mural, which serves as a welcoming landmark at the neighborhood’s main entrance.

According to the association, the project represents both a celebration of the area’s history and a symbol of its ongoing revitalization. The mural’s location — at the gateway between Railroad Street and the Market — highlights the neighborhood’s deep cultural and economic connection to one of Rochester’s most recognizable landmarks.

More information about the East Market Neighborhood, including maps, photographs, and updates on community projects, is available at www.eastmarketneighborhood.org.