GENESEE COUNTY/City of Batavia unveils projects for next round of DRI

BY MIKE PETTINELLA
For Video News Service

City of Batavia leaders are hoping to recapture the magic that resulted in a $10 million New York State Downtown Revitalization Initiative award in 2018.

City Manager Rachael Tabelski and Batavia Development Corp. Director Tammy Hathaway earlier this week unveiled 13 new projects for consideration by state officials during the ninth round of the DRI program that will distribute $100 million to 10 communities ($10 million each).

Batavia’s DRI 2.0 campaign features what its brochure calls “transformative project opportunities” – with three of them on Evans Street and two others on East Main Street. Other projects earmarked for submission by the Nov. 7 deadline include restoration of the Brisbane Mansion, enhancements of the Ellicott Trail and public (farmers’) market and establishing a building improvement fund.

An open house was held at the City Centre earlier this week.

In 2018, the city utilized the $10 million DRI award to facilitate eight projects and seven of them — City View Residences, Healthy Living Campus/YMCA, Carr’s Department Store. Main Street Theater 56, Building Improvement Fund, Jackson Square and City Centre Improvement Project – have been completed.

Only the Ellicott Station residential building is not finished.

Here are the 13 projects for the DRI 2.0:

Create a Waterfront Neighborhood — OWNER / SPONSOR: Batavia Development Corp.; LOCATION: 26 Evans Street; ESTIMATED PROJECT COST: $20,000,000; FUNDING REQUEST: $2,000,000; OTHER FUNDING: $18,000,000; TIMELINE: 18 months. Description: Develop market rate housing along the Tonawanda Creek.

Improve Waterfront Amenities — OWNER / SPONSOR: City of Batavia; LOCATION: 60 Evans Street; ESTIMATED PROJECT COST: $1,000,000; FUNDING REQUEST: $1,000,000; OTHER FUNDING: $0; TIMELINE: 18 months. Description: Construct public improvements including a linear park and parking lot upgrades

Develop a Recreation Anchor — OWNER / SPONSOR: TBD; LOCATION: 18-22 Evans Street; ESTIMATED PROJECT COST: $4,000,000; FUNDING REQUEST: $2,000,000; OTHER FUNDING: $2,000,000; TIMELINE: 24 months. Description: Create a multi-use sports complex

Repurpose the County Jail — OWNER / SPONSOR: TBD; LOCATION: 14 West Main Street; ESTIMATED PROJECT COST: $5,000,000; FUNDING REQUEST: $2,000,000; OTHER FUNDING: $3,000,000; TIMELINE: 24 months. Description: Redevelop the former jail for a mix of uses

Activate the Public Market — OWNER / SPONSOR: City of Batavia; LOCATION: 45-49 Jackson Street; ESTIMATED PROJECT COST: $3,000,000; FUNDING REQUEST: $2,000,000; OTHER FUNDING: $1,000,000; TIMELINE: 24 months. Description: Develop a three-season public market including a permanent pavilion

Enhance the Ellicott Trail Corridor — OWNER / SPONSOR: City of Batavia; LOCATION: School Street; ESTIMATED PROJECT COST: $1,500,000; FUNDING REQUEST: $1,500,000
OTHER FUNDING: $0; TIMELINE: 18 months. Description: Provide a safer route through Downtown enhanced with arts and streetscape upgrades

Revive 215 East Main Street — OWNER / SPONSOR: 215 E. Main Street, LLC; LOCATION: 215 E. Main Street; ESTIMATED PROJECT COST: $3,000,000; FUNDING REQUEST: $1,500,000; OTHER FUNDING: $1,500,000; TIMELINE: 12 months. Description: Redevelop the former Continental Beauty Building into a mixed-use building

Revitalize 214-216 East Main Street — OWNER / SPONSOR: Charles Mancuso & Son; LOCATION: 214-216 East Main Street; ESTIMATED PROJECT COST: $3,000,000; FUNDING REQUEST: $1,500,000; OTHER FUNDING: $1,500,000; TIMELINE: 18 months. Description: Redevelop the former Montgomery Ward Building into a mixed-use building

Establish a Building Improvement Fund — OWNER / SPONSOR: Batavia Development Corp.; LOCATION: DRI properties; ESTIMATED PROJECT COST: $1,000,000; FUNDING REQUEST: $600,000; OTHER FUNDING: $400,000; TIMELINE: 36 months. Description: Establish a grant fund to assist multiple property owners with building improvements

Improve the Ellicott Street Corridor — OWNER / SPONSOR: City of Batavia; LOCATION: Ellicott Street between Court & Swan Streets; ESTIMATED PROJECT COST: $3,000,000; FUNDING REQUEST: $3,000,000; OTHER FUNDING: $0; TIMELINE: 36 months. Description: Provide streetscape, traffic calming, and safety improvements along Ellicott Street

Restore the Brisbane — OWNER / SPONSOR: TBD; LOCATION: 10 West Main Street; ESTIMATED PROJECT COST: $4,000,000; FUNDING REQUEST: $2,000,000; OTHER FUNDING: $2,000,000; TIMELINE: 12 months. Description: Convert the former mansion/City Hall/Police Station into market rate apartments & suites

Cultivate the Wiard Plow Building — OWNER / SPONSOR: SmartDesign; LOCATION: 33 Swan Street; ESTIMATED PROJECT COST: $1,500,000; FUNDING REQUEST: $750,000; OTHER FUNDING: $750,000; TIMELINE: 24 months. Description: Redevelop the property for market rate apartments

Anchor Ellicott Street — OWNER / SPONSOR: Brad Trzecieski; LOCATION: 327 Ellicott Street; ESTIMATED PROJECT COST: $2,500,000; FUNDING REQUEST: $1,000,000; OTHER FUNDING: $1,500,000; TIMELINE: TBD. Description: Construct a new three-story mixed-use building.