I always thought that condos, trendy apartments, lofts, studios, etc would be a great way to revitalize our struggling Main Streets. If people lived in these spaces, companion businesses (downstairs) might have a chance to spring up and thrive. Coffee shops, floral shops, specialty shops would all have the customers right over head.
Amazing idea. I think it's a great way to keep younger Batavians in Batavia. As it is now places to rent are few and far between, especially ones that are affordable and not run down. Some awesome lofts and cute apartments downtown would fill a need. It's a heck of a lot better than leaving them empty and vacant looking. Great idea. Love it.
Yes, if they are moderate to high-end apartments. If the tenants and their guests bring business to the shops and restaurants, then that would definitely boost the local economy and atmosphere. Unfortunately, if they are low end economy apartments, then they will more likely draw the type of tenants and loiters that would drive away patrons from the businesses below.
Why would that be Sarah.....isnt that kind of a generalization based on a stereotype? I mean College student are a "low end, economy type" apartment consumer. Yet they are the exact type of consumer the downtown area would want. Police come and go so frequently already that your not gonna see much loitering or crime, Imean its the only part of the city that has foot patrols as well as the car patrols.
Its thinking like yours Sarah that made the downtown mall such a rousing success. Lets make it high end and almost guarantee empty spaces by wanting more elite or "upper class" tenants.
Why not a mix? There is appeal to urban living for both high end and economy apartments. At one time there were apartments in downtown Batavia, both on Main St. and Jackson.
What made them popular?
* Shopping was just steps away. Remember this is pre urban renewal when the business district had a variety of shops
* Many could just walk to work - either at the stores, St. Jerome Hospital,, county and city offices, professional offices, restaurants, or the factories that were close by (the box factory and the shoe factory come to mind).
*A convenient bus route made getting to either end of Main St. easy.
* There was a night life. Bars and restaurants were easy to access in the evening.
Can it happen again?
I believe it would revitalize the city.
Which college students are you referring to? GCC students? Why would they live in downtown Batavia when there is student housing within walking distance? Besides do you really want to bring the shenanigans from the college village to downtown? I think this all sounds wonderful on paper, but unless you attract the right tenants, it will not boost the local economy at all. Call me judgmental if you want, but in another local village where there are economy apartments above the store fronts, you will see people hanging out in the dark stairwells and in the streets because they do not have any other outdoor space. Not the environment I would choose to spend time and money in.
Sarah,
What will attract the 'right' tenants?
Two bedroom, two bath.
Well appointed kitchens with high end appliances.
On site laundry.
Elevators to the second and third floor apartments.
Roof top garden space or small patio space..
Natural light.
Dedicated parking.
Well lit halls and stairwells.
Storage
How much would rent be on these units?
Who would be the 'right tenants'?
I am guessing the target population would be young and gainfully employed. Most likely single or young couples without kids. (I assume that most families would prefer to have a house or apartment with a yard for kids to play in.) Retired people wanting to downsize may also be interested, however the accessibility and the hustle and bustle of Main St. may be deterrents for that population. Don't get me wrong, I think using that space to create nice apartments is a great idea. My point is that building more low income housing (although necessary) is not going to boost the downtown economy. If we really want to revitalize Batavia, we need these young families that are invested in the community to stay. I hear so many families that are ready to pack up and move elsewhere because of the decay of our city. I don't understand it, this town is filled with beautiful homes, but so many young people are building houses in new trendy housing tracts and abandoning our community. These beautiful old houses are then chopped up and turned into low income housing that is not being maintained properly. My family and I chose to buy a house in Batavia 2 1/2 years ago because we believe that it is better to invest our money in an existing home rather than destroy and waste more land to building a fancy new home in an attempt to keep up with the Jones'. If we want to restore our city and community we need to attract people that have the money to invest in our economy and create a family friendly environment that makes people want to stay.
Jeff,
I believe I addressed that on my 'must have' list.
Two bedroom, two bath.
Well appointed kitchens with high end appliances.
On site laundry.
Elevators to the second and third floor apartments.
Roof top garden space or small patio space..
Natural light.
Dedicated parking.
Well lit halls and stairwells.
Storage
I voted yes, but unfortunately the Building Code makes the type of remodeling needed to attract good tenants unaffordable. Very difficult to do in an older building with more than two floors. Getting people to live and shop downtown is critical.
Coolest thing I have seen recently was some redevelopment in downtown Salt Lake City where a new building was built to look like an old building, had the parking beneath the structure so that the first floor looked like a "sunken" store front--but you could not see the parking inside from outside. The real first floor was a few steps up from the street and there were apartments above. The whole building was accessible from an elevator. Parking onsite made the retail portion accessible and also made a safe place for tenants to park/store belongings.
I always thought that condos,
I always thought that condos, trendy apartments, lofts, studios, etc would be a great way to revitalize our struggling Main Streets. If people lived in these spaces, companion businesses (downstairs) might have a chance to spring up and thrive. Coffee shops, floral shops, specialty shops would all have the customers right over head.
Why would anyone vote no?
Why would anyone vote no? What's wrong with people living downtown?
Anything that brings people
Anything that brings people downtown, is good for businesses downtown, therefore, good for the City, and good for the county,
Amazing idea. I think it's a
Amazing idea. I think it's a great way to keep younger Batavians in Batavia. As it is now places to rent are few and far between, especially ones that are affordable and not run down. Some awesome lofts and cute apartments downtown would fill a need. It's a heck of a lot better than leaving them empty and vacant looking. Great idea. Love it.
Yes, if they are moderate to
Yes, if they are moderate to high-end apartments. If the tenants and their guests bring business to the shops and restaurants, then that would definitely boost the local economy and atmosphere. Unfortunately, if they are low end economy apartments, then they will more likely draw the type of tenants and loiters that would drive away patrons from the businesses below.
Why would that be
Why would that be Sarah.....isnt that kind of a generalization based on a stereotype? I mean College student are a "low end, economy type" apartment consumer. Yet they are the exact type of consumer the downtown area would want. Police come and go so frequently already that your not gonna see much loitering or crime, Imean its the only part of the city that has foot patrols as well as the car patrols.
Its thinking like yours Sarah that made the downtown mall such a rousing success. Lets make it high end and almost guarantee empty spaces by wanting more elite or "upper class" tenants.
Why not a mix? There is
Why not a mix? There is appeal to urban living for both high end and economy apartments. At one time there were apartments in downtown Batavia, both on Main St. and Jackson.
What made them popular?
* Shopping was just steps away. Remember this is pre urban renewal when the business district had a variety of shops
* Many could just walk to work - either at the stores, St. Jerome Hospital,, county and city offices, professional offices, restaurants, or the factories that were close by (the box factory and the shoe factory come to mind).
*A convenient bus route made getting to either end of Main St. easy.
* There was a night life. Bars and restaurants were easy to access in the evening.
Can it happen again?
I believe it would revitalize the city.
Anybody wanting to see a
Anybody wanting to see a shining example of an old building / new idea, should take a tour of the St.Jerome Apartments on Bank Street.
Absolutely stunning...!!!
Which college students are
Which college students are you referring to? GCC students? Why would they live in downtown Batavia when there is student housing within walking distance? Besides do you really want to bring the shenanigans from the college village to downtown? I think this all sounds wonderful on paper, but unless you attract the right tenants, it will not boost the local economy at all. Call me judgmental if you want, but in another local village where there are economy apartments above the store fronts, you will see people hanging out in the dark stairwells and in the streets because they do not have any other outdoor space. Not the environment I would choose to spend time and money in.
Sarah, What will attract the
Sarah,
What will attract the 'right' tenants?
Two bedroom, two bath.
Well appointed kitchens with high end appliances.
On site laundry.
Elevators to the second and third floor apartments.
Roof top garden space or small patio space..
Natural light.
Dedicated parking.
Well lit halls and stairwells.
Storage
How much would rent be on these units?
Who would be the 'right tenants'?
I am guessing the target
I am guessing the target population would be young and gainfully employed. Most likely single or young couples without kids. (I assume that most families would prefer to have a house or apartment with a yard for kids to play in.) Retired people wanting to downsize may also be interested, however the accessibility and the hustle and bustle of Main St. may be deterrents for that population. Don't get me wrong, I think using that space to create nice apartments is a great idea. My point is that building more low income housing (although necessary) is not going to boost the downtown economy. If we really want to revitalize Batavia, we need these young families that are invested in the community to stay. I hear so many families that are ready to pack up and move elsewhere because of the decay of our city. I don't understand it, this town is filled with beautiful homes, but so many young people are building houses in new trendy housing tracts and abandoning our community. These beautiful old houses are then chopped up and turned into low income housing that is not being maintained properly. My family and I chose to buy a house in Batavia 2 1/2 years ago because we believe that it is better to invest our money in an existing home rather than destroy and waste more land to building a fancy new home in an attempt to keep up with the Jones'. If we want to restore our city and community we need to attract people that have the money to invest in our economy and create a family friendly environment that makes people want to stay.
one issue that would need to
one issue that would need to be addressed for multiple apartments in that section would be convenient parking for tenants.
Jeff, I believe I addressed
Jeff,
I believe I addressed that on my 'must have' list.
Two bedroom, two bath.
Well appointed kitchens with high end appliances.
On site laundry.
Elevators to the second and third floor apartments.
Roof top garden space or small patio space..
Natural light.
Dedicated parking.
Well lit halls and stairwells.
Storage
I voted yes, but
I voted yes, but unfortunately the Building Code makes the type of remodeling needed to attract good tenants unaffordable. Very difficult to do in an older building with more than two floors. Getting people to live and shop downtown is critical.
Coolest thing I have seen recently was some redevelopment in downtown Salt Lake City where a new building was built to look like an old building, had the parking beneath the structure so that the first floor looked like a "sunken" store front--but you could not see the parking inside from outside. The real first floor was a few steps up from the street and there were apartments above. The whole building was accessible from an elevator. Parking onsite made the retail portion accessible and also made a safe place for tenants to park/store belongings.