Tag: ellicott place

Mixed-use redevelopment project begins in downtown Batavia

Construction has begun on a $2.5 million mixed-use redevelopment project in Batavia as part of the state’s Downtown Revitalization Initiative.

The Ellicott Place project, which was awarded $1.15 million through Batavia’s $10 million 2017 DRI win, will improve a nearly 50,000-square-foot building by renovating 10,000 square feet of vacant first-floor space for commercial use and add first-floor interior parking, 10 second-floor apartments, a new elevator and façade upgrades.

Once complete, the project is expected to create roughly 30 jobs in the newly developed commercial space.

“The DRI award continues to support projects that are revitalizing downtown Batavia. The City of Batavia welcomes investments like the Ellicott Place that are producing more commercial activity and creating more market-rate housing in our downtown and more vitality for our city,” said Batavia City Council President Eugene Jankowski Jr.

Managed by Empire State Development, the project is located at 45-47 Ellicott St. in Batavia’s downtown. The building originally was constructed for a department store and now is occupied by a retail grocer that uses roughly half of the first level. The remainder of the structure is vacant.

“Having another of our downtown buildings transformed is an achievement in Genesee County’s economic growth,” said Genesee County Economic Development Center President and CEO Steve Hyde. “The housing demand created by economic growth in our county is being answered by great projects like Ellicott Place, and I thank our leaders at the state for providing the DRI’s benefits across a wide range of opportunities in Batavia.”

V.J. Gautieri Constructors will construct the project, which will re-activate the entire building and bring additional activity and residents to downtown Batavia.

“The continued revitalization of our community through dedicated donations and the hard work of community members shows just how strong Western New York is,” said Assemblyman Stephen Hawley, R-Batavia. “I’m thrilled to see that redevelopment of Ellicott Place is well on its way to starting, and like many other members of the community, I eagerly anticipate seeing the fruits of the labor of this project.”

The Strategic Investment Plan for downtown Batavia is working with private partners and local assets to implement the other eight projects awarded funding through the DRI. The projects will create opportunities for economic development, transportation, housing and community projects that align with the community’s vision for downtown revitalization and that are ready for implementation, officials said.

The downtown Batavia Strategic Investment Plan is guiding the investment of DRI grant funds in revitalization projects that advance the community’s vision for its downtown and that can leverage and expand upon the state’s $10 million investment.

“Our strategic investments in smart mixed-use projects like the redevelopment of Ellicott Place will create a more livable and vibrant downtown Batavia,” said ESD Acting Commissioner and President and CEO-designate Eric Gertler.

[email protected] / 585-653-4021
Follow Velvet Spicer on Twitter: @Velvet_Spicer

GCEDC to consider three Batavia projects

The Genesee County Economic Development Center is scheduled to consider incentives for three projects in Batavia, valued at nearly $30 million.

The board of directors on Feb. 6 will consider an application for nearly $560,000 in assistance from Mega Properties, which plans to invest $3 million to build a 60,000-square-foot distribution warehouse at the Gateway II Corporate Park in the town of Batavia.

The project is the first phase of development on a 22.2-acre site purchased by the firm in 2019. The site could accommodate 120,000 square feet of additional facilities.

The company has longstanding ties to Batavia, officials said, having launched in Batavia’s Harvester Business Incubation Center more than 30 years ago. The business is now based at the Gateway I Corporate Park. Mega Properties is seeking a property tax exemption of more than $400,000, a sales tax exemption of $128,000 and a mortgage tax exemption of $30,000.

GCEDC also will consider an application for assistance from two Batavia Downtown Revitalization Initiative strategic projects. The Ellicott Station and Ellicott Place projects have proposed 65 new apartments that support the county’s EDGE economic development strategy for housing to support the growth of businesses and communities.

Ellicott Station is a $22.5 million mixed-use brownfield redevelopment project by Savarino Cos. that includes adaptive reuse and new construction at a blighted property on Ellicott Street. The project would create 20 jobs in downtown Batavia, officials said.

Ellicott Station is requesting $3.6 million in economic incentives, with a $2.1 million property tax exemption, a $791,000 sales tax exemption and a $181,000 mortgage tax exemption. The project will include considerable brownfield remediation, site improvements and construction of a 5-story apartment building with 55 modern workforce housing units, a brewery and restaurant and preparation for additional development.

Ellicott Place is a $3.1 million redevelopment of 45-47 Ellicott St. by V.J. Gautieri Constructors that includes the creation of and access to residential and commercial spaces in downtown Batavia.

The project will include the construction of 10 second-floor apartments in the existing facility, as well as the development of first-floor storefronts and building-wide façade improvements. The project is expected to create nine jobs downtown.

Ellicott Place is requesting roughly $130,000 in economic incentives, including sales tax and mortgage tax exemptions.

Ellicott Station and Ellicott Place were among the eight transformational investments of Batavia’s DRI strategy.

[email protected] / 585-653-4021
Follow Velvet Spicer on Twitter: @Velvet_Spicer