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Politics & Government

Downtown Batavia Needs to Evolve More, Streetscape Group Says

The committee on Thursday night worked on plans to improve the area surrounding the river downtown. Options include a large City Hall plaza and the intentional slowdown of traffic.

Members of Batavia's Streetscape Committee on Thursday night envisioned a downtown that welcomes pedestrians and bikers.

The meeting was the second out of five different gatherings where the committee discusses one downtown area. Thursday’s meeting focused on Houston Street from Batavia Avenue to North Island Avenue and North Island Avenue form Wilson Street to Houston Street.

The committee hopes a revitalized downtown will bring new business to the city.

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“I think Streetscape is nice," Committee Members Susan Stark and Britta McKenna said. "(We're) very hopeful it will attract merchants. This is a chance to establish a foundation. (Batavia) needs to evolve more.”

The Streetscape Committee began to form last year in an effort to change the image of downtown. The Batavia City Council-approved  committee will review different sections of downtown to see how to bring out the best of each area.

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Just Bump It

John MacManus, design consultant of Altamanu, Inc., pointed out ways the Island Street-Wilson Avenue intersection could be improved. MacManus suggested a bump out for the intersection to create a reception area for pedestrians and bikers to stand, meet people and see the city.  

Property owner Wendy Lee agreed that there should be a bump out between the strip mall and the professional office buildings.  The bump outs could give drivers more room to creep up to the shops, increasing their visibility.

“We bike through here all the time," Streetscape Committee Member Susan Stark said. "You take your life into your own hands when you’re crossing or walking to . Anything to fix that would be important to pedestrians. You still have people whipping around the corner.”

Altamanu consultants said the bump outs and trees along the street calm traffic down, preventing cars from turning off the street.

Changing Culture of Downtown

There has to be a culture change and attitude adjustment when thinking about balancing different forms of transportation, including pedestrians and cars. The traffic will slow down, Consultant Josie Bellalta said.

Adding a speed table, a speed hump with a flat section in the middle of the intersection of Island and Houston Avenue can slow down traffic, MacManus said.

Not everyone was convinced the bumps would be a positive change. 

The speed table can hinder emergency vehicles from moving rapidly through the intersection, said Michael O'Brien, committee member and alderman.

Uncovering the River

When Bellalta and MacManus first came to Batavia, they were unaware of the city’s beautiful . It’s hidden away with no direct access to view on streets such as Houston Avenue, Alderman Garran Sparks said.

To open up the river MacManus proposed creating a bigger City Hall plaza. Opening up the river would mean cutting down some of the vegetation along the river, he said.

Committee Member Doris Sherer feared cutting down some of the vegetation along the river would eliminate the heron’s habitat.  MacManus ensured Sherer they wouldn’t be cutting down their home.

Goodbye Downtown Parking?

There’s a tremendous amount of parking throughout downtown, MacManus said. Streetscape Committee Member Chris Herman agreed with MacManus and proposed property owners could share parking lots.

With the extra room the city can widen sidewalks, add fencing and trees, MacManus said.

Next Up: Wilson Street

The Streetscape group's next meeting, to be held March 8, will focus on Wilson Street. Residents are invited to attend the discussion, which will begin at 7 p.m. in the City Council Chambers at , 100 N. Island Ave.

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