Submitted by Howard Owens on July 3, 2012 - 9:16am
Press release:
The Batavia Business Improvement District has awarded four more façade improvement grants to its downtown businesses. The recipients are: Kenneth Mistler, owner of City Slickers, 59 Main St.; Rich Clark of CPR (Computer & Phone Repair), 216 E. Main Street; Paul Marchese, Marchese Computer Products, 220 Ellicott St.; and Gerald and Thomas Williams, The Williams Law Firm, 2 Court St. Plaza.
They received the following matching funds for improvements to their structures: Ken Mistler and City Slickers - $1,944 for new signage on the front and rear of his building; CPR - $286.69 for signage on their frontage; Marchese Computer - $1,205 for signage and gooseneck lighting; and Williams Law Firm - $1,487.50 for awnings on the second floor. These funds were awarded based upon the Business Improvement District’s design guidelines.
The Batavia Business Improvement District is a not-for-profit, municipal / business incorporated association. It was established back in 1997 by a group of business owners to make improvements above and beyond what the municipality was normally responsible for.
B.I.D. provides programs, events and economic benefits to more than 190 downtown property owners and tenants. It has contributed greatly to the renewed vitality of downtown, the preservation of the character of its structures and development of its streetscapes.
According to Don Burkel, downtown manager, these improvements demonstrate a long-term commitment by these business owners to downtown and positive steps for its future. Eighty-seven businesses within the district have benefitted from this program and received more than $323,380 in funding. You also have to consider that these businesses have reinvested in total project costs of over $2,450,935 in Batavia’s downtown, which is pretty impressive.
First, this has nothing to do with the city.
Second, I can think right off the bat of one minority who got assistance from the city. Ever been to City Styles at Ellicott and Liberty?
Third, what examples do you have of minorities being denied equal access to city programs. Who has applied and been denied based on race?
Fourth, are you a racist? I ask, because that seems to be the only lens through which you see society.
When everything one sees is seen through the prism of racism, then racism will never come to an end. Jason, if you find Batavia to be so racist, perhaps you should consider relocation, perhaps Selma Alabama would be a more comforting place to live?
Mark, I'll pay for the ticket.
Jason,
Can't you get it right yet? Which minority owned business in the downtown area has been denied? That's right, you can not name one. It would appear you are either clueless, deliberately wrong, or a race monger. You tell us which one.
Well John I would bet two out of the three
Copyright © 2008-2012 The Batavian. Some Rights Reserved. Privacy Policy | Terms of Service
Original content available for non-commercial use under a Creative Commons license.
Contact: Howard Owens, publisher (howard (at) the batavian dot com); (585) 250-4118
The city of Batavia show's it's racist intent every day. I have never seen any minority get a grant from this city. Why is this?