The central location of historic downtown Batavia, New York to the cities, towns and villages in western New York has made it a desirable place for people, business and development for over 150 years. Batavia has four major state highways, including an exit on the New York State Thruway. These thoroughfares have created a viable and interesting destination for shoppers, tourists and visitors to the region.
Over 197 retail, financial, food and entertainment, and professional businesses provide a variety of specialty products and services to the area. It is also the seat of government for Genesee County.
Batavia's downtown economic development programs, historic structures, attractive streetscape, upper level residences and surrounding neighborhoods provide the ideal marketplace for family owned and national businesses. It is a great place to shop, start a business or to live.
The Vision
In 1998, ninety downtown business owners partnered with city officials to establish the Batavia Business 
Improvement District (B.I.D).
To accomplish its mission of revitalizing and promoting downtown, the B.I.D. developed a proactive plan. This focuses on retaining and expanding existing businesses and attracting new niche retailers, artists and designers, restaurants and entertainment, high technology, and professional services that cater to the residents, work force, shopper and visitors to western New York.
The District's growth is attributed to...
A safe, clean and attractive environment for pedestrians.
Over $3.5 million in storefront and streetscape improvements.
Economic incentives for businesses, i.e. facade improvement grants.
Cooperative marketing and promotion for the Batavia, N.Y. marketplace.
Future initiatives include soliciting more retail business, additional facade and streetscape improvements, development of public and cultural areas, new construction and parking alternatives.
If you are interested in starting a business or re-locating to downtown Batavia, NY please contact us at 585-344-0900 for more information about our economic and promotional programs.
New Projects (See Proposed Construction Schedule Below)
The Ellicott Street Improvement Project, Batavia, NY began on September 11, 2008 with a completion date hopefully of early to mid November. It is an enhancement project for downtown Batavia that will entail the installation of pavers, trees, and stamped concrete from the westend of Ellicott Street, corner of Court & Ellicott Streets, and proceeding east to the corner of Ellicott & Swan Streets.
According to the contractor, Gordon Phillips, the project will begin on the southside of Ellicott Street and commence on the northside in November. For updated information about the project you may call the numbers below for details.
The cost of the project will be approximately $750,000 (Breakdown of funding: Federal Highway Administration - $500,000, Batavia B.I.D. - $150,000 and City of Batavia - $100,000. Project Engineers: FRA Engineering, Rochester, NY. and Project Contractors: Gordon Phillips, Rochester, NY.
View the Plans:
Evans St. East to Jackson Jackson St. East to RR
RR East to Goad St. Goad St. East to Swan
Proposed Construction Schedule for Ellicott Street
Catch Basins : 9/15/08 - 10/1/08 South Side of Ellicott.
Conduit Installation: 10/9/08 - 10/20/08 Both Sides of Ellicott.
Other Electrical: 10/6/08 - 10/22/08 Both Sides of Ellicott.
Stamped Concrete Sidewalk: 10/22/08 - 10/29/08 Both Sides of Ellicott.
Granite Curbing: 10/1/08 - 10/6/08 South Side of Ellicott.
Grantie Curbing: 10/20/08 - 10/31/08 North Side of Ellicott.
Concrete Sidewalks: 10/1/08 - 10/9/08 South Side of Ellicott.
Concrete Sidewalks: 10/29/08 - 11/2/08 North Side of Ellicott.
Brick Paver Installation: 10/8/08 - 10/20/08 South Side of Ellicott.
Brick Paver Installation: 10/29/08 - 11/6/08 North Side of Ellicott.
Tree Planting: 10/27/08 - 11/5/08 Both Sides of Ellicott.
Final Landscaping: 11/3/08 - 11/5/08 Both Sides of Ellicott.
For information contact the B.I.D. at 585-344-0900 or the City of Batavia at 585-345-6325.