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📸 Credit: Batavia Committee of the Whole agenda
Batavia officials are progressing plans for the construction of River Street Plaza — a new public gathering space at the former Tin Shop site at 102 N. River Street downtown. Committee of the Whole members recommended awarding the construction contract, clearing the way for City Council to approve the plans.
The plaza will sit just north of the River Street bridge and, according to plan documents, is designed to be much more than “just bathrooms.” The space is intended to create a welcoming public space for concerts, farmers markets, trail users, and everyday downtown visitors.
Here’s what to know:
Construction contract: Officials will vote on awarding a $559,517 contract to Landmark Contractors. Seven bids were submitted, and the contractor has completed similar streetscape projects in other nearby communities.
Self-cleaning restroom included: A pre-fabricated, self-cleaning public restroom was previously purchased for $368,500 and is currently being built off-site. It will be installed as part of the plaza construction.
More than a restroom: Plans show brick pavers, accessible walkways, raised planters with built-in seating, tables and group seating areas, bike racks with a fix station, a native pollinator garden, lighting, public art, an ornamental trellis wall, and a limestone retaining wall.
Funded by TIF #3: The project is funded through Tax Increment Financing District #3, with $800,000 budgeted for the restroom and site work. Combined costs remain within the approved budget.
“It’s an opportunity to make it a pit stop for people who are on long bike rides or walks or runs to stop, use a bathroom, park their bike, stop and get a coffee or visit River Street,” one official said. “So not just a new amenity but also as a hopeful economic development driver.”
If all goes according to plan, construction could begin in late March or early April, with substantial completion targeted for June 15 — just in time for peak summer events downtown.
Watch the full Committee of the Whole discussion recording.
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