market rate housing

As city officials pursue market-rate cottage and condo neighborhood development in the area coined as Creek Park behind the McCarthy Ice Arena, the idea has been met with mixed reactions online.

An aerial view photo was posted on the city’s social media site, which prompted several responses, from “What happened to the outdoor ice rink that was potentially in the works?” to “This is an awful idea. Rather than take such a large green space in the city, develop it into something everyone can use — shelter picnic area, fenced-in dog park, etc.” and “That’s one of the only green spaces in that area of town. I know it’s not as cost-effective for companies, but I wish we would push for reusing abandoned spaces rather than destroying green space.”

Some people definitely seem to be fixated on the flailing Ellicott Station, stalled since August and in limbo as to when and if it will get finished. Case in point, one commenter said, “I hope they can find someone to finish the project on Ellicott Street first,” while another said, “stupid idea. Got one now that just stands there unfinished.” 

Not everyone was a naysayer, however. As one poster said, he thought that “done right, with the proper restrictions on the developer/owner, to prevent what Savarino did, this would be a great idea.” 

The Batavian asked City Manager Rachael Tabelski if those comments would be taken into consideration, even if it seemed as though a majority were trending negative, as can happen on social media. 

“Yes, we like to get feedback, and we appreciate the views of residents and potential residents alike,” Tabelski said.  “The site lends itself to both uses, housing and usable green space.  The intent and design of the site will be for mixed-height residential, not a five-story building like Ellicott Station.  It will incorporate green space and make use of the waterfront. We are working on renderings for the site, but these are the concepts we are interested in seeing on the site.”

Those renderings are below courtesy City of Batavia.
 

Creek Park, one of the city’s latest real estate initiatives that sits alongside Tonawanda Creek and behind the ice arena, may be eligible for the Brownfield Cleanup Program, which comes with related tax credits.  

The city has agreed to spend $15,000 of committed funds to contract with Roux, which has merged with Benchmark Environmental Engineering & Science PLLC and Turnkey Environmental Restoration LLC, to prepare the limited PHASE II environmental investigation in the Creek Park area. 

The city had to wait for the Batavia Development Corporation to obtain the title of 60 Evans St. from the Town of Batavia, which it has done. 

City Council approved the expense and environmental study during its business meeting this week. Meanwhile, the city floated its idea of developing Creek Park on social media.