Fixing erosion along Batavia's riverbank may cost up to $1.5 million
Fighting erosion of the west bank of the Fox River in downtown Batavia will cost $900,000 to $1.5 million, according to a new report to the city council.
The city's engineer, Rahat Bari, had hoped aldermen would pick options for fixes Tuesday night, so technical designs could be made and cost estimates firmed up in time for building the city's 2017 budget. The city's fiscal year starts Jan. 1.
But aldermen said they wanted to wait, for several reasons. They are due to meet soon with the Batavia park board to discuss the whole riverfront, including improving public access and recreational opportunities.
Alderman Alan Wolff also wants to know if any agency has a plan for the Fox River watershed, which might enable the city to get public or private grants to help pay for erosion work.
Changes in the flow of the river, particularly south of Wilson Street, have exacerbated erosion of the west bank. Ice shearing has also hurt the banks. In some areas, there is too much plant and tree material weighing down what remains of banks. Trees have been undermined by the water and fallen in to the river. While that has helped fish, the direction in which the trees fall has also sometimes directed more water at the west bank. Muskrats and geese have also damaged the banks.
The report by Engineering Resources Associates divided the project in to six segments, from the Peace Bridge to Clark Island Park.
Wolff also asked Bari to prioritize what spots need erosion-control work soonest.
That would be Segment 3, in back of an electrical substation. The erosion is severe from the river and from runoff, and there are unprotected storm sewer outlets and unprotected electrical, sanitary sewer and water utility structures, according to ERA's report. The cost for that segment alone ranges from $424,000 to $562,500.
The engineers also examined extending a riverside bicycle trail north of Wilson, behind a shopping center and office building.
It would be a tricky proposition.
“We would need to pour a retaining wall extremely close to the foundation of this (shopping center) building. It would probably not be feasible without damaging the foundation of this building,” said Erin Pande, an engineer with ERA.
An alternative is cantilevering the trail over the river, similar to the trail on the east bank.
Alderman Kevin Botterman said he wants to know the costs of maintaining the erosion controls once they are installed, and how the city will commit to that maintenance.
City workers have been attacking poison ivy. And some volunteer residents have taken to pulling invasive thistle plants this year, Mayor Jeff Schielke said.
And then there is figuring out how to pay for the project. Pande said given the state budget impasse, getting money from the state is unlikely. For parts related to utilities, the city could spend money out of its utility funds. It also has some money it has been setting aside from the sale of city-owned parcels, Alderman Dave Brown pointed out, including the $675,000 profit it got from selling land for the Speedway gasoline station.
“I feel the river is our No. 1 asset, and this is a really high priority,” Alderman Lucy Thelin Atac said.