A program to bring more higher-end apartments to Downtown Batavia is starting to produce results.
Yesterday, visitors were able to view two new apartments at 17 Jackson St. owned by Dr. Edward A. Sielski that were renovated as part of Batavia's community plan.
A $60,000 Main Street Improvement Grant -- funded by the state, administered by the Business Development Committee -- helped pay for the $270,000 project.
The second and third floors of Sielski's building -- his dentist office is on the first floor -- were converted to a pair of 1,000-square-foot apartments. Each is two floors with a kitchen and living space on the first floor and bedrooms, a bathroom and washer/dryer combo on the second floor.
The back apartment overlooks Jackson Square.
There are several more downtown apartment projects in the works under the auspice of the program.
Julie Pacette, economic development coordinator for the BDC, said studies have shown there is pent-up demand for higher-end apartments in Downtown Batavia.
The target market is the professional person or couple earning $60,000 to $75,000 a year who wants to live in a more urban environment. They don't mind walking up stairs and want to walk to the public market, the grocery store, theater, restaurants, bars, post office and gym.
Sielski said he's already received several calls about the apartments without even advertising them.
For the open house, one of the apartments was furnished by Max Pies with decorations from Valle Jewelers.
CORRECTIONS AND CLARIFICATIONS: The total project cost was $270,000 ($100K more than originally reported). This does not include architectural fees). That's 22 percent of the project cost. The NYS Main Street Grant Program allows grants up to 75 percent of project costs. The first apartment completed under the program was in the Valle Jewelers building, owned by the Valles, and rented immediately. The rents for these apartments is expected to be $950 to $1,000 a month.
Dr. Sielski with his family, from left, Neil, Lauren, Dr. Sielski, Claudia and Elise.
How much are they going to
How much are they going to rent for? Does the owner get to keep all the income even with NYS giving some of the money for the project?
Yes how much are these going
Yes how much are these going to rent for? I would assume the majority of people making $70,000 aren't looking to rent.
If it's only one bedroom I
If it's only one bedroom I can see a couple there earning a combined income of 50K but I hope the best for them. The more money you make the less stairs you should have to deal with when living somewhere. I am sure there needs to be decent parking too.
Why does a private citizen
Why does a private citizen get tax payer money to create an apt to rent ..Should those dollars not be paid back to tax payers...
Julie Pacette, economic development coordinator for the BDC, said studies have shown there is pent-up demand for higher-end apartments in Downtown Batavia.....
Really then why does there need to be taxpayer dollars for Dr.Sielski to use to create something that there is a pent up demand for...Just another tax give away for someone who doesn't need it.........
Because at the time, nobody
Because at the time, nobody spoke up about it.
When I ran for City Council
When I ran for City Council part of my platform was oversight and defined goals for the BDC. I lost. Reform, transparency and streamlining aren't as widely popular when you start getting specific.
This would be considered
This would be considered prime rental locations and could be in the $1200-$1500 range as, from what I gathered from the article, these apartments are targeting a specific group of people who fall within a specific annual income range.
Please don't worry about the
Please don't worry about the welfare Dr. Sielski received, with all the "pent-up demand for higher-end apartments" the increase in property tax revenue should lower the tax burden on the rest of the city residents.
I always wonder, what would Dr. Sielski want done to a person who can't afford or just refuses to pay for his business venture. The same question could be asked of Julie Pacette before she "grants" many peoples labor (their money) to one select individual.
I wonder if Dr. Sielski will
I wonder if Dr. Sielski will give out 60,000 dollars of free dentistry to city residents for the 60,000 tax dollars he was given to pay for his apartments..
Don't blame Dr. Sielski -
Don't blame Dr. Sielski - blame the system that allowed this to happen.
Just posted this to the
Just posted this to the story:
CORRECTIONS AND CLARIFICATIONS: The total project cost was $270,000 ($100K more than originally reported). This does not include architectural fees). That's 22 percent of the project cost. The NYS Main Street Grant Program allows grants up to 75 percent of project costs. The first apartment completed under the program was in the Valle Jewelers building, owned by the Valles, and rented immediately. The rents for these apartments is expected to be $950 to $1,000 a month.
Apartments rarely live up to
Apartments rarely live up to that expectation. I mean people point to NYC and the outrageous rents paid there but to be honest. NYC has much much more to offer someone living right in it's midst vs downtown Batavia.
The apartment rental market is complex.....without stuff outside of it to support it people just wont rent. And unless the landlord has enough money to support the taxes and costs of the empty space he will either lower the rent or sell it to someone else who will get it occupied at lower costs. Having these type of apartments is a nice idea but there are very few who can even afford $950 to $1000 that don't have nicer options elsewhere with better amentities surrounding that place as well vs Downtown Batavia. The demand for rental space in this area isn't for this type of dwelling. Its more for middle to lower income familes that want stable safe housing, which means solutions in other areas. Just my opinion.