Batavia library vows to work with city

Batavia library vows to work with city

For many years, the Batavia Public Library and City of Batavia have enjoyed a very positive, collaborative working relationship.

As a good steward of public resources, the board of library trustees is now making several exterior improvements to the library campus, totaling about $950,000. In consultation with Mayor Jeff Schielke and the city council, the library trustees had requested that the city's TIF fund provide a $100,000 grant to support the cost of one element of that overall project - the widening of the stairway at Wilson and Water streets.

The stairway improvements nicely complement the city's previously completed streetscape improvements on West Wilson Street by improving pedestrian and visual access to the library. Furthermore, the use of TIF funds on public infrastructure projects, such as the library's project, is allowable under state law and has recent precedent in Batavia.

After receiving a positive reaction from the city council, subsequent conversations made it clear that a majority of the aldermen had reservations about one or another aspect of the grant request - whether the funding source or the merits of the project. Therefore, the library decided to respectfully withdraw the request for a TIF grant and is proceeding with the project using its own funds.

Looking toward the future, there is a need for further improvements to the library campus and its neighborhood. For instance, there is a need for pedestrian and aesthetic improvements on Water Street from Wilson to First Street. The library is required to follow the city's lead in this project; however, the library board pledges to work in collaboration with the city council to develop a mutually agreeable plan for infrastructure improvements to Water Street - and fund it.

Doug Sullivan

President

Board of Batavia Public Library Board of Trustees