Batavia mayor optimistic about commerce

Batavia Mayor Jeff Schielke chose to focus on positive things during his annual "state of the city" address to the Batavia Chamber of Commerce Tuesday morning.

"I will tell you some years it has been a lot easier to come down here and talk than others," he acknowledged at the start, citing the effects of the sputtering national economy on Batavia. That includes the loss of $1.3 million in sales tax revenue, and the necessity of cutting the city staff by 10 percent. "You would think this would be a difficult year to come here and speak."

In a nearly hourlong presentation, Schielke pointed out new businesses that have opened in the last year, including several stores in the Randall Road corridor."I began last year's program by showing you the vacant stores that were emerging on Randall Road. Linens 'n Things was one of them," he said, but went on to show the new Buy Buy Baby store that replaced it.

The mayor ticked off other renovations and expansions under way, including the building of a field house and auditorium at Batavia High School, the largest project, in terms of price, the city has had. "This is really going to trick out Batavia High School, he said, drawing laughs.

Avenue Chevrolet is trying to find another car line to sell, since General Motors decided to pull its product.

"I'm very proud that they have stayed in business, and are actively trying to procure a new dealership for their site," Schielke said, drawing a round of applause from the crowd. The dealership has been in business 79 years.

He gave a status report on what he called "Batavia's Businesses in Waiting."

"All seem to be caught up in the national dilemma over commercial financing," he said.

Those would be the Dunkin' Donuts proposed for a strip shopping center on the southwest corner of Randall and Wilson Street; the "infamous" Fuddruckers property at Randall and McKee, which has been ready to open for three years and has had at least three people interested in operating the franchise; and the Golden Corral restaurant at Randall and Main Street.

"This is probably the one I get the most comments on," he said. The building is about 90 percent complete; he hears that the developer can't get financing to buy the necessary kitchen equipment. Golden Corral won't buy the building until it is finished.

"I probably get five inquiries a day when I am in the Jewel or at church: When is it going to open?'"

He wrapped with good news: On Monday, Aldi, which has its headquarters on Kirk Road, applied for permission to build a six-story office building.

"Hopefully you come away with some positive ideas of all the neat things that are now happening in Batavia," Schielke said.