Streetscape Committee Holds 1st Neighborhood Plan Meeting

A meeting of the Downtown Streetscape Commitee Tuesday night buzzed with vibrant ideas to beautify downtown.

The meeting was the first of five gatherings, each to be devoted to a different downtown area and its future potential. Tuesday’s meeting focused on improving Batavia Avenue from Main Street to Houston Street.

Tonight's meeting, Thursday, Feb. 24, will focus on Island Avenue and Houston Street. Residents are invited to attend the discussion, which will begin at 7 p.m. in the City Council Chambers at Batavia City Hall, 100 N. Island Ave.

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

“I can see each of the five designated areas with their own unique designs and place,” said Streetscape Committee Member Doris Sherer.

Decorative Decisions

John MacManus, design consultant of Altamanu, Inc., took committee members on a journey down Batavia Avenue highlighting possible improvements that should be made. Moving down the street creates a series of different room views, which are interconnected and have unique traits that can be enhanced, MacManus pointed out.

To signify Batavia, MacManus asked the committee about marking the entryway with a sign. Committee Member Chris Nyborg liked the idea and suggested they try to get a sponsor for the sign.

MacManus envisions Batavia’s streets as stages where events can be marked with items, including a large sculpture.

Doris Sherer suggested placing a sculpture based on the picture in Batavia Revisited on the southwest corner of Main Street and Batavia Avenue.

A Need to Notice

Slowing down traffic on Batavia Avenue will ensure motorists don't just fly by the city's art. MacManus recommended bumped-out corners for the intersection that will, in effect, remove a lane and concentrate traffic.

Downtown needs crosswalks, which are great calming devices, Committee Member Forrest Nelson said.

MacManus proposed one crosswalk linking the Batavia Public Library and the Congregational Church of Batavia. This would make the street look less wide, MacManus said. Adding edges, such as limestone fencing along the street, is another way to make the street appear narrower.

Framing the street with trees on each side of the street encloses the area, creating an urban downtown characteristic, MacManus said.

Upkeep

With all the different ideas MacManus put on the table, some committee members became concerned with the maintenance costs for these downtown improvements.

It is important the materials are of high quality to reduce the cost of wear and tear, Streetscape member Michael O’Brien said. 

Despite a few concerns, Batavia Mayor Jeff Schielke said there is growing interest in the improvements.

"This group has already started to excite retailers about doing something in downtown Batavia,” Schielke said.

For more information, visit the city's Streetscape Project page here.