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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.
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