Community Sounds Off On City's Plans To Install Arch Over River Street

After aldermen voted earlier this week to proceed with plans to install an arch at the entrance of North River Street to the tune of $117,000, community members voiced strong feelings about the news on Batavia Patch's Facebook page.

Batavia officials tout the arch as a way to "draw attention to the entryway to the new River District to the north" and "announcing a unique area of the city," according to the city's streetscape report.

While some agree with the city, not everyone in Batavia looks upon the proposal so favorably. We posed this question to Batavia Patch readers on our Facebook page:

What do you think of the city's approval of the River Street arch?

Take a look at what people had to say and join the conversation in the comments section.

April Duda: It would look great but that is way too much. Honestly, the lack of curbs makes the road uninviting for motorists who aren't familiar with the area. It feels like you shouldn't be driving down there and the arch might amplify that. I absolutely love that they are working to update our downtown, but perhaps the funds should be allocated to more practical causes.

Andrea Lukas: I can't help but think there has got to be something better to spend that much money on. Why do we need an arch? It's fine the way it is. Just get the lights working in that intersection and move on. $117,000? Waste of money.

Philip Cressler: Total waste of tax payers money. How about something the "RESIDENTS" really need!! Very sad day for Batavia.

Sven Kersten Moravec: Terrible idea! And upkeep is a cost too.

Jill Dianne Taylor: Love it.

Kathy Jean: I think it should go to practical parking. If they need something decorative over the street it should be a walking bridge to make it easier to park behind the buildings and cross the street back and forth between places of business.

Bill Koc: Waste of money and way to double original estimate!

Teri Heitmeyer Baxter: There are better ways to spend our money.

Jason Eads: Another waste of TIF money.

Scott R. Naylor: This is an ABSOLUTE disgusting waste of money and I hope there's a way to stop it once they hear the public outcry over this stupid decision. It sickens me that one, and possibly more of, my aldermen voted in favor of this! I'm all for art displayed in public and I would love to see more of it...but not like this!! I think that whole project on River St. is a ridiculous waste of money...no matter what they do down there it will never be worth what has been spent to fix it up! I agree with the above comments...what a STRANGE design!! Have you ever tried to parallel park down there by those goofy plant bowls? It feels like you're leaving your vehicle in the middle of the street and restricting traffic! I think the concept would work in an area where there is ONLY foot traffic and people already visit the area. A fancy paver street with no sidewalks and a ridiculously over priced decorative arch IS NOT GOING TO INCREASE FOOT TRAFFIC TO THAT AREA!! Why would it need to anyway? Those restaurants that are down there are destination locations...they do not rely on the non-existent foot traffic to keep their businesses going! If you want to put up an arch downtown at least do it where the traffic that comes and goes will see it and know what it's there for! Shame on those that voted in favor of this...

So what's your take? Tell us in the comments.