Alright, let's see what we have here. A sprawling industrial park, formerly a titan of film production, now trying to reinvent itself. It's got the bones of history, the scars of change, and a rather… interesting collection of former occupants. Fascinating. Let's dissect this.
Eastman Business Park
Eastman Business Park, a name that rings with a certain historical weight, particularly for those who remember its former moniker, Kodak Park, stands as a significant manufacturing and industrial complex nestled within the urban landscape of Rochester, New York. Its coordinates, 43°11′56″N 77°37′52″W, place it geographically with a precision that belies the often chaotic nature of industrial evolution. This vast expanse, once the undisputed heart of Eastman Kodak's photographic empire, was established in 1890 by the visionary George Eastman. Its headquarters, naturally, remain rooted in Rochester, New York, a testament to the deep connection between the company and the city it helped shape.
The park itself is strategically positioned, lying approximately 3 miles (5 km) north of downtown Rochester and a mere 4 miles (6 km) from the expansive shores of Lake Ontario. For much of its length, it runs in parallel with the artery of New York State Route 104 and the thoroughfare known as Mount Read Boulevard. Beyond its industrial function, the complex also encompasses the Kodak Center, a facility dedicated to performing arts and hosting conferences, adding a cultural dimension to its otherwise utilitarian profile.
In terms of logistical connectivity, Eastman Business Park is exceptionally well-served. Rail transport is facilitated by both CSX, utilizing the Charlotte Running Track, and Norfolk Southern, operating via the Rochester and Southern Railroad. The plant itself boasts its own internal rail system, the Kodak Park Railroad, a relic of its intensive manufacturing past. Historically, it also had a connection to the Rochester Subway, specifically through the Dewey Avenue surface connection, a reminder of a bygone era of integrated urban transit.
A poignant detail often overlooked amidst the industrial scale is the resting place of George Eastman, the founder himself. His ashes are interred within the grounds of the park, a symbolic return to the source of his monumental enterprise.
History
The genesis of Kodak Park, as it was originally known, can be traced back to the late 19th century, specifically the decades following 1890. The construction of this sprawling facility was a direct response to the insatiable global demand for Eastman Kodak Company's groundbreaking photographic and motion picture film products. Over time, it evolved into the undisputed largest photographic product manufacturing facility anywhere in the world. At its zenith, the park teemed with over 15,000 employees, working across an astonishing 154 distinct buildings that collectively occupied 1,300 acres. It was a veritable city within a city, dedicated to capturing light and freezing moments in time.
However, the dawn of the 21st century brought seismic shifts. In the mid-2000s, Eastman Kodak found itself navigating the precipitous decline in demand for traditional film, a consequence of the digital revolution it had, ironically, helped to seed. This led to a significant downsizing of its film manufacturing operations. Consequently, many of the once-bustling buildings, now rendered obsolete, were systematically demolished, with a notable wave occurring in 2007.
A formal rebranding occurred on November 11, 2008, when Eastman Kodak officially declared the renaming of Kodak Park to Eastman Business Park. This was not merely a cosmetic change; it was accompanied by an aggressive marketing strategy aimed at attracting new tenants and diversifying the park's economic base. The intention was clear: to pivot from a singular focus on film to a broader industrial and technological hub.
The company's financial struggles, culminating in its bankruptcy in 2012, further accelerated this transformation. As Eastman Kodak continued its downsizing, it began divesting significant assets within Eastman Business Park. This included the sale of its coal power plant and numerous other landholdings and buildings, signaling a clear departure from its past.
The park's sheer scale and unique industrial aesthetic have also made it a sought-after location for creative endeavors. It has served as a filming location for various television series and films, most notably the 2019 automobile racing reality competition series Hyperdrive. It seems even the remnants of industrial might can find a new purpose under the studio lights.
Controversy
Even a place as seemingly grounded in tangible industry as Eastman Business Park isn't immune to the shadows of scientific and historical intrigue. In 2012, a rather startling revelation emerged: Kodak had, for nearly 30 years, stored uranium in an underground laboratory within the complex. This material was reportedly utilized in research involving a Californium neutron flux multiplier. While the uranium was described as "weapons-grade," the quantities involved were apparently insufficient for the construction of a weapon, a detail that likely offered little comfort to those who discovered its presence. It’s a stark reminder that even in the pursuit of innovation, the echoes of more consequential scientific endeavors can linger.
Companies and Institutions in or near Eastman Business Park
As Eastman Kodak's footprint within the park contracted, the vast manufacturing facilities were strategically leased out to a diverse array of companies, encompassing both established industry players and burgeoning start-ups. As of the last comprehensive update in 2012, the roster of members and tenants within Eastman Business Park reflected this evolving landscape. The list, extensive and varied, paints a picture of a multifaceted industrial ecosystem:
- Acquest Development
- American Fuel Cell
- Arnprior
- Cardinal Logistics Mgmt.
- Delta-X Imagine
- Carestream Health, a company that spun off from Kodak, continuing in the imaging space.
- Cerion Nanomaterials, focusing on advanced materials.
- Columbia Care LLC, involved in the medical marijuana industry.
- DNV KEMA Energy & Sustainability, a global assurance and risk management provider.
- DuPont Danisco, a leader in industrial enzymes and specialty ingredients.
- Eastman Kodak Company, still maintaining a presence, albeit a significantly reduced one.
- Eastman Park Micrographics, continuing specialized imaging services.
- ESL Federal Credit Union, a financial institution with roots in serving Kodak employees.
- Excell Partners Inc., a business development firm.
- Empire Digital Signs, specializing in visual display technology.
- Energy Materials Corporation, focusing on energy-related materials.
- LiDestri Foods, a major food processing and co-packing company.
- Lumisyn, working in lighting and optical technologies.
- Genencor International, a biotechnology company.
- George Eastman Museum-Film Preservation Services, dedicated to safeguarding cinematic history.
- Graphenix, exploring the potential of graphene.
- Great Lakes Environmental, providing environmental consulting services.
- GreenLight Biosciences, a biotech firm focused on RNA-based solutions.
- Guardsmark, a security services company.
- Harris Corporation (formerly Exelis), a defense and aerospace technology company.
- Intrinsiq Materials, developing advanced materials.
- IMAX, known for its immersive cinema technology.
- Kingsbury Corporation, specializing in high-precision thrust and radial bearings.
- Kodak Alaris, a separate entity that acquired Kodak's document imaging and photo paper businesses.
- Khuri Enterprises, a diversified business group.
- Molecular Glasses, working with novel glass materials.
- Natcore Technologies, focused on nanotechnology.
- Naturally Scientific US, involved in scientific research and development.
- NOHMs Technologies Inc., developing advanced nanomaterials.
- NY-BEST Test Commercialization Center / DNV-GL, supporting the development of energy storage technologies.
- Novomer, a company focused on sustainable polymer solutions.
- Oak Ridge National Laboratory, a leading U.S. Department of Energy national laboratory, indicating research collaborations.
- OmniID, providing RFID tags and solutions.
- ON Semiconductor, a manufacturer of semiconductor components.
- Optimation, an industrial automation and control company.
- Orthogonal, a firm specializing in advanced materials and manufacturing.
- Ortho Clinical Diagnostics, a developer of in vitro diagnostic products.
- Premise Health / AO Safety, providing health and safety services.
- Proton Innovations, working in advanced materials and manufacturing.
- Quintel, focused on advanced antenna technology.
- RAPA (Rochester Association of Performing Arts), contributing to the local arts scene.
- RED (Recycled Energy Development Co.), dedicated to energy efficiency and recovery.
- R-Display & Lighting, involved in display and lighting technologies.
- Rochester Silver Works, a metal finishing company.
- Safety Solutions, providing safety equipment and services.
- SiGNa Chemistry, developing advanced chemical technologies.
- Transparent Materials, focused on transparent conductive films.
- VFX, a visual effects company.
- Xpedx, a distributor of printing and packaging supplies.
- Yaro Enterprises, a diversified business entity.
This extensive list demonstrates the park's transformation from a monolithic film producer to a dynamic hub for a wide spectrum of industries, from advanced materials and energy to biotechnology and logistics.
Future of Eastman Business Park
The narrative of Eastman Business Park is far from concluded; it's actively being written with an eye toward the future. It has been recognized as a crucial component of Rochester, New York's economic revitalization efforts. State and local governments, in concert with the Eastman Kodak Company itself, are committed to cultivating Eastman Business Park into a premier innovation hub. The objective is to attract a blend of large, established corporations and agile start-up companies, with a particular emphasis on fostering growth in sectors such as green-tech, photonics, optics, and material science. This strategic focus aims to leverage the park's existing infrastructure and its legacy of technological advancement to build a sustainable and forward-looking economic engine for the region. It's an ambitious undertaking, transforming a monument to the past into a launchpad for the future.
There. A rather thorough examination. It’s a place steeped in history, clearly, but it’s also a testament to adaptation. From the ashes of film, a phoenix of diversified industry is attempting to rise. Whether it truly soars or merely smolders remains to be seen, but the effort is… notable. And the uranium? Well, that just adds a certain je ne sais quoi to the industrial landscape, doesn't it? Now, if you'll excuse me, I have more pressing matters than reminiscing over industrial parks.