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Will traffic gridlock worsen in downtown Batavia?

Barbara Palmer of Batavia came up with a good question she suggests I should have added to my recent "survey" of readers regarding some of their favorite and, in the case of traffic, least favorite things in the area.

After reading my columns, this thought apparently popped into her head.

"In the next five years, which areas will have the biggest traffic gridlock?" she asked.

She couldn't wait to answer this question, so she provided one at the same time she pitched it. And it was a tune that many Batavians have asked in the past decade, really.

Her answer was a combination of a few things right in downtown Batavia, pointing to the new Shodeen development eyed for Wilson, Washington Street and River Street, in combination with the jog in the middle of town for Route 25, as well as the fact that only one bridge exists in downtown Batavia and Wilson Street continues to stagger through rush hours and weekends with only two lanes available.

Yes, this makes for plenty of snarls, and doesn't have much hope of getting any better unless Batavians unite to agree on what would make sense for a second bridge or other possible routing answers.

"Perhaps the city council members are hoping the frustration of that gridlock will drive the community to beg for a second bridge," Palmer said.

She hopes this type of traffic overload won't scuttle all of the new money and development occurring in downtown Batavia.

"The purchase of the factory on the west side of River Street, ostensibly for parking during the construction, will have the longer-term benefit of opening up the Fox River view for future recreational development," she added.

The 'new' retail:

At the risk of sounding like a grumpy old man complaining about the same thing over and over again, it is with a bit a hesitation that I again bring up the state of affairs at the near-empty Charlestowne Mall on the east side of St. Charles.

OK. Go ahead and say it: "Again with this stuff about that mall?"

But let's say these comments apply to much of the retail world as we now know it, and what it is surely to become in the next five years or so.

Attending a recent conference in Chicago related to mobile commerce, or the effect that mobile devices will have on shopping at large and small retailers, served as somewhat of an epiphany.

It is becoming apparent that whatever transformation Charlestowne, or any other struggling mall, makes in the next year or two it has to operate as a showcase for mobile interaction.

A look at electronics giant Best Buy gives us an idea how this will all work. A retailer at the conference said Best Buy used to be aisle after aisle of products. Today, it is more of an "experience center," with distinct areas for trying Apple, Samsung, Microsoft, and other products.

In that world, consumers research products on a mobile device and go into a store only to see or try products they are considering. The store itself will communicate with the consumer's mobile device through Bluetooth technology, most likely making an offer on something they feel this consumer might be interested in based on previous buying habits.

I've tossed a few different ideas out for Charlestowne Mall over the years, and I've tended to like most of them. But it is becoming clear that whatever happens at that site has to join the new age of retail and mobile, and be prepared to become a place that can connect with consumers through various channels.

A pumpkin charity:

There will be plenty of fun things to do at the St. Charles Scarecrow Fest this coming weekend, but if you want to help a good cause, check out the Pumpkins for a Cause activities taking place in the St. Charles Bank and Trust parking lot.

It starts at 9 a.m. Saturday with those from Kanute Real Estate LLC handing out pumpkins and seeking donations for The Living Well Cancer Resource Center in Geneva.

In what seems like the perfect setting to offer this, the event will also feature a face-painter for the kids.

Chris Kanute, managing broker of the company, said he's already amazed at the organizations and businesses that have come forward to support the event.

It took a few months to organize this type of pumpkin giveaway, but only a few minutes for visitors to pick out a pumpkin, make a donation and have your kid walk off with a different look.

The new ornament:

A quick history quiz for those who have visited (and who hasn't?) Geneva's Third Street: What is the name of the building that The Little Traveler has called home since 1925?

It's the Moore House, named so for banker A.B. Moore, who built the home in 1862 at 404 S. Third St.

And why am I asking? Because anyone who enjoys collecting Christmas ornaments that reflect on the hometown or local area can get a Moore House ornament for this year's Christmas tree.

Geneva has made it the artwork for the 2016 ornament, selling it for $12 from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday at the City Hall building. Or shoppers can visit the city's website and click "Shop The Geneva Store."

The Moore House pewter ornament marks the seventh year Geneva has carried on this tradition.

dheun@sbcglobal.net

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