Backwards

As with everything, it will take absolutely forever.

It's that way so you can admire the the building with it's white streaks....

hahahaha now thats funny.....

I thought that was really odd that they placed them like that. My husband argued w/me about it. He said, "who wants to look at traffic?" I just don't get it? I'm glad to know that I'm not the only one who thinks they're backwards! ha ha

That's how the BID wanted them installed. At last check that's still how they want them to be. If you take a look, the one in front of city hall is facing the street.

So on the "should the benches face the street or the sidewalk" question, I'm completely neutral. I don't think it matters a whole hell of a lot, and the case can be made either way.

But I do have an idea for a poll question this week :)

Some face the street and some the other way, but who cares? Nobody is sitting on them for the most part anyway.

The "riff-raff" that sit on them would like to know !

ok, what about this? Face them "sideways" not looking at the street, or the buildings, but east or west, we could put two across from each other and people could play cards?

Chess. Chess tables on Main Street. Now that would be cool.

I don't think there is a right or wrong way for the benches to face. As mentioned, some face the street and others face the buildings. This is more about personal preference and reminds us that you can never please everyone. Ever. If there were no benches, someone would post a picture of where a bench 'should be'.

Chess tables on Main Street : ) Sitting out in front of Larry's on a Summer evening with a beverage and a good chess game would be my idea of a fine evening!

A question-do you REALLY want to have your back to the sidewalk with all the punks and thugs that walk the streets nowadays?? I can see more people getting assaulted......

I DON'T EVEN WANT TO GO THERE!!

Punks and thugs in downtown Batavia? I don't think so. I've been through neighborhoods with punks and thugs. I feel exceptionally safe in Batavia.

The tables for chess, dominos, checkers, etc. would be so cool. Sort of a mini gathering area...maybe they could put in a small platform for street entertainers or for folks to come and orate (like a mini soap box).
It would look quaint to passing travelers; give people a place to congregate and have that 'third place'.

that all sounds like a cool idea, BUT this is New York and where would you go when it wasn't nice out

Face them towards the street so we can watch the parades.

The chess/checker table idea has merit, but no money.

When I need to sit down I don't care what direction the thing I am sitting on is pointed and I don't care what it is, as long as I can sit on it.
If it were a bus stop this would be clear cut, but no buses means no bus stops so it really doesn't matter which way they are located, although facing each other might make for more interaction between the riff raff, such as myself, who sometimes need to sit down and rest.

John, they could paint a few checkerboards on the sidewalks near the benches and kids, of any age, could make their checkers out of cardboard or donated coffeecups from competing businesses, or donuts on napkins in little clear plastic salad boxes. Everytime you lose a piece someone gets to eat a donut. I like that idea, a lot. Have them try it out in latex paint that can be powerwashed away in minutes, if they don't like it, or paint one yourself. The police will drop the charges before you ever go to trial, if they give you a trial. Checkers is just me against you, the markers can be anything.
Chess requires a mix of different markers, like Bubble Gum is the knight and Tootsie Pops are pawns, etc. Only the pieces have been changed to make it nearly free, all other rules apply. It's a good idea, isn't it? Someone should try it out during Ramble. Or use those little Salsa containers, with cool stuff in them, but the kid only gets what he has after the game is over.
O.K. now I'm Rambling, and that's a good thing at this time of the year. It helps get everyone in the spirit for Ramble 09. Yep, my dad had a Rambler once, so did my girlfriend.

Posted by Lucille Van Son on June 20, 2009 - 9:57pm
that all sounds like a cool idea, BUT this is New York and where would you go when it wasn't nice out

Check out this sculpture in Washington, DC. http://www.fhwa.dot.gov/infrastructure/pa08.cfm
Granted it doesn't get as cold there, but it can work.
Picture people, dressed appropriately for winter - boots, scarves, hats, parkas - sipping coffee or hot chocolate while playing. We have many cold, but sunny days in the winter.
I think the gloomy weather has my imagination running wild. :)

Howard-you just moved here.I have lived here all my life and drive through Batavia almost every day.It has progressively gotten worse the past 2-3 years.Pick up the paper,and basically drug bust/arrests weekly-with the charged being from Rochester/Buffalo/Medina areas.I used to deliver in the inner city of Buffalo/Rochester a few years ago-and Batavia is going in the same direction.I have a suggestion for the bench seats....buy some more,and put them back to back-that way if you want to look at the street or buildings,you can.

I thought the bench was faced that way so one could sit and watch the mall being torn down

Posted by DOUGLAS MCCLURG on June 21, 2009 - 7:04am
I thought the bench was faced that way so one could sit and watch the mall being torn down

oh, stop! It is too early in the morning for a belly laugh.

The real question is: Who are the brainiacs that decided that the mall should not face the street back in the 70's? It's a bit easier to move the benches around if necessary, but not the building.

Posted by Woyvel Lloyce on June 21, 2009 - 9:19am
The real question is: Who are the brainiacs that decided that the mall should not face the street back in the 70's? It's a bit easier to move the benches around if necessary, but not the building.

The brainiacs, at the time, were only interested in lining their pockets. They didn't care which way the mall faced.
Did you ever notice that the mall and the college both resemble barns with silos? I wonder if that was intentional?

Dan, I lived through the horror of urban renewal. At the time I wrote letters to the editor until my fingers bled. It was handled wrong then and we are reaping the rewards of greed and self gratification now.

Howard you would be surprised what exist in Batavia and the surrounding communities. If you haven't notice you one day might. Watch what is coming into our communties and look around how people are dressing (head gear and colors)look at how they wear it too.