It wasn't the answer they wanted to hear. Last night, the City of Rochester's Environmental Commission told representatives of North American Breweries that they have to do more to preserve the facade of the old brew house at 13 Cataract Street and work it into the design of their new project.

NAB wants to transform the 110-year-old, two-story warehouse at 25 Cataract into a brewery visitors' center, museum, and restaurant with outdoor seating. There would be a microbrewery on the first floor, and an ale house with a bar on the second. The second story would also have a deck overlooking Upper Falls, and there would be a rooftop garden.

The project would include an outdoor festival site.

But the proposal calls for the demolition of the old brew house at 13 Cataract Street: a visually impressive, historically significant building. The possibility of losing the building has prompted an outcry from the Landmark Society, the Rochester Regional Design Center, and other groups and individuals.

Members of the Environmental Commission said that while they support NAB's development plan, they couldn't ignore the "emotional tug" of the brew house. The commission's opinion is not binding, but it could trigger a full environmental review of NAB's plans - a decision that will be made by Marcia Barry, the city's planning and zoning director. Barry says her decision will be made prior to the January 19 Zoning Board of Appeals meeting. The Zoning Board is supposed to decide whether or not to allow the demolition at that meeting.

NAB representatives at last night's meeting said a delay could mean that investors decide to put their money somewhere other than the Rochester project.

NAB Vice President John Henderson told commission members that the company "explored the idea" of selling 13 Cataract and had "a few" local developers tour the site. When those developers failed to show interest, Henderson said the property was listed with a brokerage firm, but the building's odd layout and deteriorated condition were serious drawbacks. It was eventually pulled off the market.

"We never got any viable offers," Henderson said.

There is heavy truck traffic across the street from 13 Cataract - about 15,000 trucks a year, Henderson said - so converting the building into residential units isn't practical.