Now build bridge to a better downtown

As Batavia closed in on the inevitable -- that its downtown Wilson Street bridge would be under construction for several months -- there was an underlying feeling that if Geneva and St. Charles downtown businesses could survive bridge work, then Batavia businesses could grin and bear it and ultimately survive as well. With the light at the end of that long tunnel now starting to show itself with a projected completion of bridge work in early May, city officials are now in a damage assessment mode.

With the city council's decision last week to provide $4,800 for a marketing blitz that would basically alert people that it was time to flock to downtown Batavia again, plus its recent decision to increase funding to the Batavia MainStreet organization, it is clear that the city wants to put the trauma that was Wilson Street bridge construction in the rearview mirror. The problem that faces Batavia is one Geneva did not deal with and, to a lesser degree, nor did St. Charles. That would be the vibrancy of its downtown before the bridge construction.

Batavia's downtown has made terrific strides with the construction of the beautiful Riverwalk setting and some advances in restaurant offerings and new shops. But it never enjoyed the foot traffic common in Geneva and portions of downtown St. Charles. It made the difficulty of the Wilson Street bridge work, and its delays, more pronounced and, for some, even devastating.

The city council was wise to discuss a special service tax for the downtown district to fund more parking options and other improvements, and even wiser to hold off on such a tax until the bridge work is complete and momentum can be gained for support of the most vital future decision -- where a second in-town bridge can be placed.

The city makes excellent gestures in showing support of MainStreet and funds for needed advertising to promote a new beginning for the downtown. It shows Batavia understands how a strong downtown organization, along with a solid chamber of commerce, can aid a future vision. Aldermen who voted against the city funding a marketing push made good points in wishing the money could be put into something more beneficial. We would agree that in this economy, any type of marketing initiative is a roll of the dice. If people are watching their dollars closely, Batavia's downtown businesses won't be the only ones suffering.

Ultimately, it comes down to this: Batavians -- who in the recent community survey listed downtown revitalization as a top priority, but overall are not pleased with that progress --would be wise to support their downtown and help it transform into a place they want to patronize. This is a case of community pride as much as dollars and cents. As Randall Road retail grows and gets more congested, nice downtown shopping and entertainment will become more appealing.

Batavia knows what it wants, but residents have to hop on the bandwagon once Wilson Street is clear of construction debris.