Batavia Downtown Redevelopment Initiative (DRI)

Building Improvement Fund - Grant Progam

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                                            Contacts:

November 27, 2018                                                                         Rachael Tabelski, BDC 585-409-4008

BATAVIA DRI- BUILDING IMPROVEMENT FUND AVAILABLE

Applications for the Batavia DRI- Building Improvement Fund are due by January 18th at 4:30pm

BATAVIA, NY – The Batavia Development Corporation (BDC) announced today that applications for a $600,000 Building Improvement Fund are available to all building owners within the Batavia Improvement District (BID) as part of Batavia’s Downtown Revitalization Initiative (DRI). 

Batavia is “All In” to reshape its urban core by embracing and celebrating its rich entrepreneurial history, fostering cultural appreciation and creating vibrant places for all to enjoy. In alignment with the Batavia Downtown Revitalization Initiative (DRI) Investment Strategy the city will seek to foster more arts, culture & entertainment; healthy living & wellness; and prosperity for all.

“As Co-Chair of the DRI Local Planning Committee I am pleased that this building improvement fund is moving forward, and building owners interested in making investment can receive assistance through the $600,000 fund,” said Eugene Jankowski, City Council President.

The Building Improvement Fund was recommended as a priority by the DRI Local Planning Committee and included in the Batavia DRI Investment Strategy.  Filling vacant and underutilized structures has been a common goal across many of Batavia’s planning documents including the Brownfield Opportunity Area (2015), the City’s Comprehensive Plan (2016) and the Downtown Revitalization Initiative (DRI) Investment Strategy (2018).

 “The DRI is an amazing economic development tool to improve downtown Batavia, help new businesses start-up, and existing ones thrive,” said Marty Moore, City of Batavia Manager.  “I will be working hard to ensure that we continue to support our local businesses and building owners.”

 “The DRI Local Planning Committee is committed to seeing the recommended projects move forward in downtown Batavia,” said Steve Hyde, President and CEO of the Genesee County Economic Development Center (GCEDC) and Co-Chair of the DRI Local Planning Committee. “These are exciting times for Batavia, and the County, with so many investments in transformational downtown projects.”

Building owners selected for grants will be awarded between $10,000 (minimum) up to $200,000 (maximum) in DRI grant funds, per building, not to exceed 60% of the total building renovation project cost. The funding is on a building-by-building basis and “in-kind” match is not eligible. Costs incurred prior to the effective date of the grant agreement are not eligible for reimbursement, and not eligible as a match.

“The fund has been established to provide grant funding for applicants to implement interior and exterior building improvements in Batavia’s BID.  Buildings must be commercial and/or mixed-use structures, have a plan ready to implement and funding to cover the cost of the entire project up-front,” said Pier Cipollone, President of the Batavia Development Corporation.

Eligible activities including façade improvements, window/door repair and replacement, painting, masonry repair, awnings, building signs, exterior lighting, storefront upgrades, roofs, and interior upgrades (heating, plumbing, electrical, walls, floors).  Applications are due by January 18th, 2019 at 4:30pm. 

Rachael Tabelski, Director of Economic Development of the BDC said, “The BDC is looking forward to working with downtown building owners, understanding their plans, and finding ways to advance improvements and renovations.  With each new building that we save and repair there is an enormous social and economic impact on our City.”

Leanna DiRisio, Interim Director of the Downtown Batavia Improvement District said, “I look forward to working with BDC and the downtown building owners as Interim Director.  I am confident that the Building Improvement Fund is a great resource and will increase the momentum of downtown living, shopping and entertaining."

The BDC will host an information session about the Batavia DRI- Building Improvement Fund on Tuesday December 18th at 9am in Council Chambers at City Hall.  All building owners are welcomed and encouraged to attend.

Guidelines and the application can be found on the BDC website: http://bataviadevelopmentcorp.org/main-street-building-improvements

Questions? Please contact Rachael Tabelski at 585-345-6380 or by email at rtabelski@bataviadevelopmentcorp.org