Batavia Library drops request for $100K from city
The Batavia Public Library Monday withdrew its controversial request for $100,000 from the city of Batavia for work to repair and remodel an outdoor staircase to the library.
Library President Doug Sullivan announced the withdrawal at the council meeting, when a motion on the matter was pending.
"The best path forward is for the library to withdraw that request and work with you, the council, and come up with a better grant that is better suited to both your needs and ours," Sullivan said. "Thank you for your support. We look forward to working with you on a better project in the future."
The library had asked for $100,000 from the TIF District 3 fund for the work on the staircase at Water and Wilson streets. The library is tax-incentive-financing District 2, an inactive district because the sole property in it is the library, which does not pay property taxes. TIF funds come from property taxes paid by properties in the district.
Besides repairs, the library is widening the top, which should provide a better view of the library. Library and city officials hope it will encourage pedestrians to walk between the library and the rest of downtown, and to visit a small garden on the lower level of the library property.
But at a committee meeting last week, aldermen voted 7-6 against the proposal. Opponents said that while they were pleased with the improvement the library was making, they didn't think TIF money should be spent on it. Alderman Jamie Saam suggested spending money reaped from the sale of some land last year - land the city had received as a gift - but gained no support.
The six of the newest aldermen on the council - Saam, Marty Callahan, Kyle Hohmann, Kevin Botterman, Nick Cerone and Drew McFadden - plus Alderman Lisa Clark, were the ones who voted against it at the committee meeting.
Mayor Jeff Schielke apologized to the library board.
The library had initially asked for a $5,000 facade improvement grant. But at a joint meeting of the council and board in February, city officials encouraged the library to ask for more, as the work was seen as improving the downtown. Schielke has repeatedly pointed out that the library brings 800 to 1,000 people a day to the downtown.
"I will tell you that of all the institutions that we have in this community that have worked really hard to be a key player in Batavia ... the library has been about as good a giver and supporter and worker with us as you can get.
"I regret that this whole thing kind of came down the way it did."