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A group of Hutchins Street residents raised the issue of increased criminal activity in their neighborhood during a City Council meeting Monday.

Ken Darch, a resident on Hutchins Street who represented the group, expressed his concern for the continuous fighting and drug activity in his neighborhood.

Darch told of a fight involving 15 to 20 people that broke out Friday night and started up again Saturday morning. 

“There is constant drug activity of all kinds," Darch said. "There are cars going up and down the streets and transactions going on constantly,” Darch said. “Hutchins Street has also become a sanctuary for sexual offenders.”

Darch stated the two major problems that need to be addressed are the unaccountable landlords and the lack of law enforcement. Darch said the city needs to take action and hold offenders responsible for the crimes they commit.

Sixth Ward Councilwoman Rose Mary Christian agreed with Darch about the increasing amount of criminal activity not just in his neighborhood but in all areas of the city.

“We used to have minor problems," Christian said. “Right now we have major problems. There is no respect for police officers and a lot of drugs out there."

Christian said she believes the resolution to the problem involves increasing police patrols and neighbors following through with signing a complaint if they witness a crime being committed.

Second Ward Councilwoman Patti Pacino and Fifth Ward Councilwoman Kathy Briggs want to hold a meeting with residents to address neighborhood crime.

“We have a lot of problems and we need to take action,” Briggs said. “I’m willing to meet with all of our wards to do something.”

Councilman John Deleo stressed the need to invest in street cameras. According to Deleo, the camera placed on State Street has significantly reduced crime in the area.

Other business at Monday's City Council meeting included approving a pay raise for the city manager and a presentation by the Batavia Development Corporation.

The council voted 6 to 3 in favor of giving City Manager Jason Molino a 2-percent wage increase. Molino’s annual salary will be $91,272.

The Batavia Development Corporation is requesting proposals from individuals or organizations that would like to invest in the former Della Penna and Santy’s properties. Julie Pacatte, economic development coordinator, hopes to attract private investors with tax incentives to clean up the rundown properties. According to Pacatte, investors can received up to 50 percent of cleanup costs with tax credits through the Brownfield Cleanup Program. The deadline for proposals is Aug. 12.

Oakfield resident Preston S. Daigler, 17, was sentenced by Judge Robert C. Noonan to two years in state prison and three years of post-release supervision in Genesee County Court today.

Judge Noonan denied Daigler youthful offender status for his guilty plea to first-degree robbery. As a result, Daigler received prison time instead of probation.

District Attorney Lawrence Friedman, argued in court that Daigler had stated in phone calls with his mother while he was incarcerated that he wouldn’t complete probation and would run away when he got out of jail.

Emily Fusco, representing Daigler, said that he didn’t mean what he had stated in the phone calls. Daigler made a statement addressing the phone calls as well.

“I said some things I didn’t mean, your honor,” Daigler said. “I was scared and freaking out.”

Based on the seriousness of the case, Judge Noonan didn’t consider the crime to be a youthful offense.

Daigler and Tyshon L. Taylor, 18, hit the victim in the head with a gun, punched the victim and stole property. The incident happened in March at a residence on Central Avenue, Batavia.

Taylor was sentenced last week to three years in prison and three years of post-release supervision.

Lamar A. McCain, 44, and Horatio Coleman, 61, both of Oak Street, Batavia, are charged with petit larceny and criminal impersonation, 2nd. McCain and Coleman allegedly stole $65 worth of merchandise from Kmart in Batavia. Following an investigation, Deputy Chad Cummings found they allegedly gave false identification to law enforcement while being questioned. McCain and Coleman were jailed on $2,000 bail.

Tanisha N. Gibson, 30, of Brooksville, Florida, was arrested on a grand larceny warrant for an incident that allegedly occurred while Gibson was employed at Walmart in Batavia in January 2014. Gibson was arrested in Florida and extradited to New York jailed on $10,000 bail. No further details released.

Richard M. Schiersing, 39, of Sandhill Road, Caledonia, is charged with criminal possession of a controlled substance, 7th, aggravated unlicensed operation, 1st, DWI drugs, moving from a lane unsafely and operating a motor vehicle with an obstructed view. The charges result from a traffic stop on Main Street in Batavia by Officer Kevin DeFelice. Schiersing was jailed without bail.

Robert L. Carney, 23, of Maurice Street, Buffalo, is charged with criminal mischief, 4th. Carney is accused of damaging a door in the emergency room at United Memorial Medical Center. He jailed on $1,000 bail.

A 16-year-old male from Batavia is charged with petit larceny, identity theft, 2nd, and unlawful possession of personal identification information, 3rd. The youth allegedly possessed debit card information belonging to another person and used that information to purchase several items.

Tyler D. Price, 22, of Liberty Street, Batavia, is charged with criminal contempt, 2nd. Price allegedly violated the terms of a Genesee County Family Court order of protection by being at the residence of the protected party. The incident happened on Liberty Street in Batavia.

Scott R. Kantra, 47, of Cheektowaga, is charged with aggravated DWI and DWI following an erratic operation complaint at Darien Lake Performing Arts Center. Kantra allegedly was in operation of a motor vehicle while intoxicated.

Jason Stout, 28, and Bailey J. Heinzerling, 25, both of Rochester, are charged with petit larceny for allegedly stealing video game accessories at Target in Batavia. Stout allegedly stole approximately $165 and Heinzerling stole approximately $230 worth of merchandise. Stout  was jailed on$500 bail. Heinzerling was released on her own recognizances.

Rondell J. Watson, 33, and Joy S. Robinson, 23, both from Rochester are charged with petit larceny and conspiracy, 6th, following an incident at Kohls in Batavia. Watson and Robinson are accused of conspiring together to steal two pairs of khaki pants from the store. Upon arrest, Watson allegedly became verbally abusive and was yelling obscenities in the parking lot. Robinson was also arrested for petit larceny for allegedly stealing several shirts from Marshalls in Batavia prior to the other larceny. They posted bail of $250 each.

Harry T. Gibson, 50, of North Spruce Street, Batavia, is charged with petit larceny. Gibson is accused of stealing an exhaust manifold from a business in Batavia and then scrapping it for money.

Joseph H. Schenk, 23, with no permanent address, is charged with petit larceny. Schenk is accused of stealing coins from an acquaintance. The incident happened on Mill Street in Le Roy. He jailed on $250 bail.

Timothy J. Wood, 26, City of Batavia, and Christopher D. Bisig 29, Town of Batavia, were charged with petit larceny. Wood and Bisig allegedly were allegedly caught stealing earrings from Kmart by placing them in their pockets and passing all points of sale.

Crystal A. Mounts, 38, of Batavia, is charged with petit larceny and trespass. Mounts allegedly stole a pair of sandals and a plastic container of earthworms at Walmart in Batavia. After an investigation, state troopers determined she had been banned from the store due to a previous incident.

City Manager Jason Molino today announced his appointment of Matthew Worth as the director of Public Works for the City of Batavia. Matt has worked for the City for more than 28 years, his most recent post as the superintendent of Water and Wastewater.

As a lifelong Pembroke and Indian Falls Road resident, Matt has held several roles throughout his tenure with the City of Batavia. He started with the City in 1987 as an engineering technician where he was then promoted to deputy superintendent of Water and Wastewater in 1999. Matt took over the superintendent of Water and Wastewater role in 2002.

During his time with the City, Matt has been an intricate part of the public works team, participating in almost every aspect of the public works operations from street reconstruction, water and sewer plant upgrades, to capital infrastructure planning.

Pier Cipollone, 4th Ward councilmember who participated in the interview process, said, “I think it’s great to have someone from within the department move up and take on the responsibilities of running the department. Matt brings a wealth of knowledge to the job and I know I speak for Council in saying we applaud his appointment to the position of director of DPW and we look forward to our continued relationship.”

City Manager Jason Molino added, “Over the years Matt has proven himself as a steadfast leader. He has served this community for over 28 years and comes into his new role with a depth of knowledge. Having worked side by side with Matt over the past decade, his passion to serve the community and residents has never been stronger. I’m looking forward to what the future brings.”

Matt lives with his wife Joan, and they have two grown children: Adam (25) and Kathryn (22).

Matt holds a Grade-D Distribution System Operator License issued by the NY State Department of Health.

Matt’s first day as the director of Public Works is July 14. His annual salary is $88,705.

City Manager Jason Molino encourages all Batavia residents to celebrate this appointment and welcome Matt to his new position. 

Press release:

Executives from Frontier Communications and IBM recently joined local officials and members of the business community at the D&R Depot Restaurant in Le Roy to celebrate being named a quarter finalist in America’s Best Communities (ABC) prize competition.

The team of Le Roy and Bergen is one of 50 communities in the competition, which is a $10 million initiative to stimulate economic revitalization in small towns and cities across the United States. The Le Roy and Bergen team has been awarded $50,000 to date to develop a comprehensive strategy to start the process of developing a plan to accelerate the revival of the local economies and improve the quality of life in their communities.

Sponsored by Frontier Communications, the ABC prize competition could net a Grand Prize of $3 million for the communities to advance their strategic economic development revitalization plan.

“The collaborative efforts of the community and business leaders of Le Roy and Bergen give reason to celebrate the recognition as one of America’s Best Communities,” said Robert Smith, Frontier Area general manager -- Rochester West. “The team has a great vision on economic development and nurturing the cultural identity of their towns, two key outcomes desired of this contest.”

Le Roy and Bergen have been awarded $35,000 from the ABC prize competition to date and $15,000 from American Express and IBM, which are serving as financial sponsor and active mentor, respectively, as the team pursues the next round of funding.

The Town of Le Roy, under the leadership of Supervisor Stephen R. Barbeau, has committed up to $15,000 to ensure the communities can compete in the semifinal round. Other sponsors and potential funding partners include local governments and businesses. A consultant also will be hired in July to finalize the community revitalization plan.

"This is a perfect example of communities working together for collective betterment. Our Upstate communities serve as a positive example for the rest of the state: coordination, cooperation, ingenuity and efficiencies of scale,” said New York State Assemblyman Stephen Hawley.

Only 15 communities will be selected to advance to the semifinal round. Each community will present to a panel of judges about why they deserve $100,000 to advance their plan. Three Grand Prize winners will receive up to $3 million.

 “Our communities demonstrate resiliency and survival,” said Rochelle Stein, Genesee County legislator. “Constant change and adaptation are hallmarks of our ability to survive and thrive. We have the benefit of youth investing in our family generational businesses, entrepreneurs advancing, and a passion to work towards a brighter future for our entire community. This contest will bring about positive energy for Le Roy and Bergen.  I am pleased to work with such high-caliber partners.”

The Genesee Gateway Local Development Corporation (GGLDC), an affiliate of the Genesee County Economic Development Center (GCEDC), is the entity administering the grant dollars and overseeing the selection of the consultant.

Janet Knauss, 50, pled guilty to falsifying business records while working at Target in Batavia.

Knauss is subject to five years probation and up to six months in Genesee County Jail. She was represented by Attorney Jerry Ader in Genesee County Court today.

She allegedly entered false discounts, voided transactions and bagged items that were not scanned so they could be stolen while working as a cashier at the store.

An order of protection was also filed. Her sentencing date is Oct. 13.

Benjamin Lindke, 41, and his wife, Molly Lindke, 41, pled guilty to offering a false instrument for filing. 

Each faces up to five years probation and six months in the Genesee County Jail.

In March 2013, the couple knowingly provided Social Services with a written statement containing false information. Benjamin failed to report his income on several forms. They are accused of receiving approximately $6,000 in food stamps they weren't ineligible to receive.

They will be sentenced Sept. 10.

A Bethany resident who allegedly caused a brain injury to a toddler appeared in Genesee County Court for his plea cutoff today.

Anthony P. Dibble, 25, did not enter a guilty plea to reckless assault of a child, a Class D felony. According to Assistant District Attorney Will Zickl, the plea could have reduced his prison sentence from seven years to four-and-a-half years.

The pending plea deal expired today at 9:30 a.m. and there will no longer be the opportunity for a deal. The case now goes to trial. 

Dibble is accused of causing serious brain injury to a child less than 5 years old by shaking or slamming the child's head on a hard surface or object during an overnight visit in August 2014. He drove the child to United Memorial Medical Center and then the child was flown by Mercy Flight to Women & Children's Hospital of Buffalo to undergo surgery. Dibble is the child's biological father but the child doesn't live with him.

The trial date is scheduled for Sept. 28.

Storm U. Lang, 18, entered a guilty plea to two counts of first-degree child sex abuse, and one count of second-degree child sex abuse in Genesee County Court today.

Lang faces up to four years in prison and 10 years of released supervision. He is currently being supervised by Genesee Justice.

Lang allegedly was sexually involved with three different victims on separate occasions when he was 17 years old. He is accused of subjecting a 7-year-old to sexual contact in the Town of Alabama in October. In November, he also allegedly subjected a 12-year-old child to sexual contact in the Town of Alabama and a 5-year-old child to sexual contact in the Town of Bethany.

Orders of protection for the victims were filed today. His sentencing date is Sept. 9.

A person is stuck inside the elevator at Le Roy Urgent Care Clinic, 8745 Lake Street Road. Le Roy Fire Department is responding in non-emergency mode.

Tyler J. Goodenough, 21, of West Filbert Street, East Rochester, is charged with aggravated DWI following a two-car accident in the parking lot of Darien Lake Theme Park.

Robert C. Hayes, 25, of Warsaw Road, Le Roy, is charged with criminal possession of a weapon, 4th, and unlawful possession of marijuana, plus he is cited for having an obstructed driver's view. Hayes was pulled over on Clay Street in Le Roy for allegedly having his driver view obstructed when police found him to be in possession of marijuana and an edged weapon.

Gena M. Naugle, 41, of South Lake Avenue, Bergen, is charged with endangering the welfare of a child and harassment, 2nd. Naugle allegedly threw a dinner plate at a juvenile causing glass shards to strike the juvenile. 

A 17-year-old male from Medina is charged with harassment, 2nd. The youth allegedly punched a male acquaintance several times at a residence in Bethany.

A 30-year-old Buffalo resident was hospitalized Sunday night after an assault following the Toby Keith concert at Darien Lake Performing Arts Center. Police have not released the victim's name.

According to Genesee County Sheriff's Chief Deputy Gordon Dibble, there was a confrontation between the victim and another individual in the parking lot prior to concert. Later, inside the venue, a physical altercation occurred between the two parties. Then around 10:30 p.m., a third confrontation took place in the parking lot and the victim reported being beaten by several individuals.

This resulted in the victim being flown by Mercy Flight to Erie County Medical Center, primarily because of possible head injuries. The victim was released today.

Law enforcement sources said the assault was initially reported as a person injured due to falling from a pickup truck. But investigation revealed the person allegedly punched someone in the concert venue and later that person and the person's friends found the Buffalo resident and allegedly assaulted him.

Investigators are working to identify the suspects and gather evidence. No names or additional details are being released at this time. 

Press release:

The Genesee County 4-H Fair will take place July 21-25 at the Genesee County Fairgrounds on East Main Street in Batavia. This year’s 4-H fair theme is “#iam4h” and local 4-Hers have been working hard all year to show the community what 4-H means to them!

4-H is a year-long educational program and most clubs meet once a month. Each club focuses on different projects throughout the year, and many 4-H members are able to display the results of their hard work at fair. This ranges from raising animals to sewing and gardening and even projects about alternative energy!

Genesee County 4-H youth are offered a wide range of educational experiences through a dedicated group of volunteer leaders. Through these experiences, 4-H encourages strong character traits like a sense of community, hard work and confidence.

We encourage you to stop out at this year’s 4-H Fair to support our youth and have some fun!
 
Tentative 2015 Genesee County Fair 4-H Schedule of Events:

(Dates and times are subject to change)
 
Tuesday, July 21
8 a.m.-- 12 p.m. ---      Final Setup of Merton & Kennedy Buildings:
                                    4-H Club Exhibits in place (Kennedy Bldg.)
                                    4-H Community Service, Promotional & Project Displays (Merton Bldg.)
9 a.m.  -------------        4-H Market Swine Show & Showmanship (Show Ring)
12 p.m.  ------------       4-H Market Goat Show & Showmanship (Show Ring)
2:30 p.m.  ----------       4-H Market Sheep Show & Showmanship (Show Ring)
                                    4-H Dairy & Meat (non-market) Goat Show & Showmanship (Open Dairy Barn)
4 p.m.  -------------        4-H Non Market Beef Show & Showmanship (Show Ring)
                                   GPS & Solar Fun Fest (Merton Bldg.)
5:30 p.m.  ---------       Parade Line up- Pit Area of Raceway 5 (on Fairgrounds)
6 p.m.  ------------        4-H Market Beef Show & Showmanship (Show Ring)
6:30 p.m.  --------        Parade- Theme: “#iam4h”
7:30 p.m. ---------       GPS & Solar Fun Fest (Merton Bldg.)
 
Wednesday, July 22                 
11:30 a.m.   ---------    GPS & Solar Fun Fest (Merton Bldg.)
1:30 p.m.  ------------   4-H Sheep Show & Showmanship (Show Ring)

Followed by:  --------   4-H Sheep Leadline Classes (Show Ring)
                                   4-H Sheep Costume Class (Show Ring)
6 p.m.     -----------       4-H Swine Show & Showmanship (Show Ring)
6:30 p.m. ----------       4-H Rabbit Show & Showmanship (Merton Bldg.)
 
Thursday, July 23
8:30 a.m. ----------      Horse Show ring closed for Show set up
9 a.m. -------------        4-H Dairy Show & Showmanship (Show Ring)
                                  4-H Horses in place
10 a.m.  ----------        4-H Horse Show Fitting, Showmanship, and English Classes (Horse Ring)
1 p.m.  -----------         4-H Goat Knowledge Olympics Contest (Livestock Bldg.)
2 p.m. -----------          4-H Horse Show Dressage Classes (Horse Ring)
5:30 -- 7 p.m. ---        4-H Market Animal Auction Buyers Dinner (Kennedy Bldg.)                       
7 p.m.  ----------          4-H Market Animal Auction (Show Ring)
 
Friday, July 24
9:25 a.m.  -------         Wrangler Equine Showmanship Clinic (Horse Ring)
10 a.m.  ---------         4-H Horse Show Fitting, Showmanship & Western Classes (Horse Ring)
3 p.m.  ----------          4-H Goat Obstacle Course Contest (Livestock Bldg.)
                                  4-H Sheep Trimming and Blocking Contest (4-H Sheep Barn)
5:30 p.m.  -------         4-H Tractor Driving Contest-via Pre Registration (Kennedy Bldg.)
                                  4-H Goat Costume Contest (near Goat & Livestock Bldgs.)
7 p.m. -----------          4-H Fur & Feather Knowledge Contests (Merton Bldg.)
 
Saturday, July 25
10 a.m.  ----------       4-H Horse Gymkhana & Games Classes (Horse Ring)
2 p.m.  -----------        4-H Sheep Bowl (Merton Bldg.)
2 -- 4 p.m.  -----         4-H Vegetable Art Fun Fair Activity (Kennedy Bldg.)
4 p.m.  ----------         4-H Master Showman Contest (Show Ring)
6:30 p.m.  -------        4-H Scavenger Hunt (Kennedy Bldg.)
8 p.m.  ---------           4-H Movie Night (Kennedy or Merton Bldg.)
8 p.m.  ---------           4-H Dairy Animals released
8:30 p.m.  -----           4-H Horse Animals released
9 p.m.  ----------          4-H Fur & Feather Club Animals released
                                  4-H Non-Market Animals- Beef, Goat, Sheep, Swine released
10 – 11 p.m. ----        Kennedy, Merton, and Exhibition Buildings Open for pick up of entries

Ronald Sloat, 74, of Godfrey's Pond, Bergen, is recovering from four broken ribs and a possible broken collarbone after the motorcyclist struck a bear in Caledonia Saturday morning.

According to his wife, Clare Sloat, her husband also has multiple bruises and swollen hands. The family expects Sloat will be in Strong Memorial Hospital in Rochester for several more days to do more testing.

At the time of the accident, Sloat was riding his trike, a three-wheeled motorcycle, in Caledonia on the way to his cottage on Conesus Lake. He was traveling on Route 5 when a black bear ran out in front of his motorcycle at approximately 11 a.m. He briefly saw the bear come out of thick brush near the road but couldn't avoid hitting it, Clare Sloat said. 

Ronald was thrown off the trike and landed on his back. The helmet he was wearing protected his head from injuries.

Sloat was transported by Caledonia Ambulance. He had requested to be transported to United Memorial Medical Center, but due to the extent of his injuries he was taken to Strong Memorial Hospital instead.

The Livingston County Sheriff's Office and Caledonia police, fire and EMS responded to the scene.

According to a report issued by the Sheriff's Office, the approximately 300-pound black bear was put down by responding deputies due to its injuries. The carcass was turned over to a local taxidermist. Residents said they had seen the bear several times in the area before the accident occurred.

The U.S. Census Bureau put out a press release and the national media ate it up: There are now more people living in the United States who are classified as Millennials than there are Baby Boomers.

The Democrat & Chronicle got into the act by pointing out Millennials now outpace Baby Boomers in Monroe County.

There’s been no similar coverage in Erie County, but Buffalo has enjoyed a reputation for the past couple of years as one of the major cities young adults are helping to revitalize.

So where does that leave Genesee County?

Not on par, it seems.

While nationally, there are 83.1 million Millennials, comprising a quarter of the U.S. population, and the number of Baby Boomers has slipped to 75.4 million, the post-war cohort still rules the roost in the Batavia Micropolitan Area.

According to the Census Bureau Web site, there are 15,422 Baby Boomers locally compared to 14,670 Millennials.

Is Genesee County’s lagging Millennial population a trend that's important?

Absolutely, say those with the jobs related to the area’s development and growth.

“You definitely want to have Millennials in a community,” said Felipe Oltramari, the county planning director. “The next generation will create the jobs and opportunities for future generations to be here. As they become players with purchasing power, we want to make sure they are living here and they’re bringing more buying power and creating more jobs and running our community. From an economic development perspective, and social perspective, you want people here from all sorts of generations.”

The window of opportunity to anchor a small town with Millennials may be closing shortly, according to William Fulton, director of the Kinder Institute for Urban Research at Rice University in Houston, Texas.

And it’s a critically important issue for the future of small cities.

“Most people settle down by age 35, and usually don’t move from one metro area to another after that,” Fuller wrote in an article for Governing.com. “And the demographic group behind the Millennials is a lot smaller. Just like Baby Boomers, the preferences of the Millennials will drive our society for two generations. They’re making location decisions based on their idea of quality of life. And they’re going to make all those decisions in the next few years -- by the time they’re 35.”

The good news, according to Fuller, is even if time is short, the goal is obtainable for small cities.

“Even Millennials … want to live near their families and near where they grew up, meaning that if you can create interesting places, they’re likelier to stay,” Fuller wrote. “And you don’t need the endless hip urban fabric of New York or D.C. to compete. You just need a few great neighborhoods for people to live and work in. For most cities, that’s an achievable goal.”

Interesting places, amenities, activities, culture and the opportunity to interact socially, these are the things planners say Batavia needs to retain and attract Millennials.

“I try to drive this point every time I speak,” Oltramari said. “This generation moves first and then finds a job. If you look, there are jobs here and available, but they want to be where their peers are.”

So how do we create an environment where Millennials want to live?

A key word: density.

According to research by Nielsen:

“Sixty-two percent indicate they prefer to live in the type of mixed-use communities found in urban centers, where they can be close to shops, restaurants and offices. They are currently living in these urban areas at a higher rate than any other generation, and 40 percent say they would like to live in an urban area in the future. As a result, for the first time since the 1920s growth in U.S. cities outpaces growth outside of them.”

Tim Tielman, a Buffalo preservationist and development consultant, observed at a Landmark Society talk in 2013 that Batavia is hampering its ability create the kind of economic core that attracts Millennials and like-minded residents with its over-abundance of downtown parking.

"One of the biggest issues every city faces is dead zones," Tielman said. "Batavia has dead zones up and down its streets. Dead zones are devoid of commercial activity. You chain too many dead zones together and you destroy your local community."

When you build your commercial district around the car, the district loses its appeal to pedestrians, and when people walk and interact, commercial activity soars, the feeling of community is pervasive, and social and civic capital grows.

"It isn't cars that make a place a commercial success," Tielman said. "It's a success (based) on how well the human animal can get about certain places. It's what appeals and what stimulates them to walk."

More and more, City Manager Jason Molino said, he’s hearing people talk about walkability. Increasingly, it’s what all communities are after, and something — along with the companion concept bikeability — that Batavia is lacking.

“People want quality-of-life amenities,” Molino said. “People will commute a little bit if you don’t have the jobs in this area if they have the amenities.”

Molino got an immersive experience in the kind of lifestyle amenities that help bring vitality to an urban area. On a vacation day, he and his family visited a couple of the shopping districts in Buffalo and then stopped for dinner at Larkin Square. It was Food Truck Tuesday (video).

Larkin Square, part of what is now known as Larkinville, an area once known as the Larkin District, which is considered Buffalo’s first commercial district, was a rundown industrial warehouse neighborhood. Spurred by a $2 million public-private investment in 2009, the Larkin Building and surrounding cityscape was redeveloped and revitalized. It’s become a hot spot in Buffalo for retail, food and entertainment activity. Tielman was a consultant on the project.

“Two things were obvious to me,” Molino said. “You had people coming to the square right after work, Millennials coming right after work, but you also had the senior population and families — people interested in this kind of quality-of-life amenity with vendors, live music, a pavilion and seating area, and a grass area, and 20 food trucks, all reasonably priced.”

There’s an interesting intersection these days between what Millennials want and Empty-nesters want, Molino noted. They want to get away from the demands of suburban home ownership and the lack of a closely knit community fabric and they seek out walkable neighborhoods with plenty of retail, dining and entertainment options.

That’s what he saw throughout his vacation day with his family in Buffalo.

Steve Hyde’s spent some time recently in Larkinville as well and came away with the same observations.

“It’s a fabulous, vibrant place,” said Hyde, who is the president and CEO of Genesee County Economic Development Center (GCEDC).

Hyde has been spending more time recently working with the City of Batavia to help secure funding and support for the city’s Batavia Opportunity Area, also known at the Brownfield Opportunity Area, or BOA.

The BOA plan is focused specifically on redevelopment of properties that are stalled in the revitalization pipeline in the Downtown area, such as the Della Penna property on Ellicott Street. Moving these projects forward would help advance further Downtown revitalization.

A look around town at all the underused and often dilapidated space might make revitalization feel like a daunting task, and though time is short to attract Millennials, Julie Pacatte, the economic development coordinator for the Batavia Development Corp., isn't feeling any pressure, at least in the sense that revitalization needs to occur before Millennials age out of relocating.

"I think we're fortunate that by the time people reach 35, they tend to move back here with their families," Pacatte said. "They want that smaller-town environment, where they know who's who and they like that feeling of community. We're fortunate it in that way, so no, I don't feel the pressure. I do think we have an opportunity to attract younger people sooner into our community and we're excited about that opportunity. I don't feel the pressure of it, but I certainly want to see something happen in a shorter time frame, in the next five years, in terms of turning some of these sites around."

Since the trend in cities across the country is toward density and mixed use, with greater demand for apartments in downtown areas, Batavia has backed several initiatives to convert underused or unoccupied space in Downtown into apartments, and Pacatte has been right in the middle of it.

She said the new apartments Downtown have certainly proven attractive to Millennials.

Molino agreed.

“All of our marketing studies show there is a demand for this kind of housing in Batavia,” Molino said. “People want to come to our area. It’s a core, central area.”

Part of the plan for Downtown is also creating more office space. Businesses that are founded by Millennials or that hire Millennials need space to relocate and grow, Pacatte said.

"A priority for us is drawing more people Downtown to live, work and shop," Pacatte said. "Millennials are the right target market for our Downtown plan."

While Hyde’s job is to create jobs and stimulate economic growth in Genesee County, Molino’s focus is a little broader. He wants to see Batavia become a better place to live.

He believes Batavia is ideally suited to be a less-expensive alternative to Buffalo and Rochester for Millennials and Empty-nesters, even when they work in the larger neighboring counties.

“With mobility being what it is these days, if you draw a half-hour circle around Rochester and Buffalo, they’re going to intersect in Batavia,” Molino said. “If people at that half-hour distance as a reasonable community, where can they find those amenities? That’s going to be what sells communities to Millennials and Empty-nesters.”

Hyde said what has already been accomplished in Batavia is attracting Millennials. He knows because his daughter, who works in Rochester, and a roommate, who works in Buffalo, rented one of those Downtown apartments.

“They love it,” Hyde said. “Everything is in walking distance. There are restaurants and bars and things for them to do. We need more of that Downtown.”

A place for Millennials to land in Batavia will increase the impact of STAMP (Science, Technology and Advanced Manufacturing Park) if the GCEDC is successful in attracting the kind of high tech, nano tech, advanced materials, solar and bio-manufacturing the park is designed to accommodate. The companies that set up shop in STAMP are going to hire a lot of Millennials who will make good wages and want a lifestyle that is social and active.

Hyde believes Batavia needs to be ready for them, or miss the opportunity to secure future growth.

“We can be a bigger center of economic opportunity,” Hyde said. “We can create a hip, smaller center city with lots of lifestyle choices.”

The BOA is tuned to provide just that kind of boost.

"The opportunity is in front of us," Pacatte said. "We have to make our Downtown more attractive and through these BOA sites, we will really be able to transform the Downtown experience."

The following people were arrested by the Genesee County Sheriff’s Office during the Def Leppard/Styx concert at Darien Lake Performing Arts Center on Sunday:

Renno J. Rushton, 23, of Chili Avenue, Rochester, is charged with criminal mischie, 4th, criminal trespass, 3rd, harassment, 2nd, and disorderly conduct after allegedly refusing to leave Darien Lake property after being told to leave several times. Rushton allegedly attempted to grab a security officer, created a disturbance in the park parking lot, and also damaged a wall inside the security office. Rushton was arraigned in Darien Court and jailed on $500 bail.

Erika L. Schmid, 23, of Chili Avenue, Rochester, is charged with disorderly conduct and harassment, 2nd, after allegedly creating a disturbance in the parking lot and pushing a security officer.

Krystie M. Martinez, 30, of Geneva Street, Rochester, is charged with unlawful possession of marijuana after allegedly being found in possession of marijuana.

Jason J. Tombari, 37, of Oak Orchard Road, Medina, is charged with unlawful possession of marijuana after allegedly being found in possession of marijuana.

Kevin G. Bent, 31, of Carol Place, The Bronx, is charged with criminal trespass, 3rd, after allegedly entering the park property after being escorted from the property and told not to return.

The following people were arrested while at Darien Lake Performing Arts Center during the Toby Keith concert on Saturday.  

Nicholas D. Winkley, 20, of Windspear Avenue, Buffalo, is charged with false personation after allegedly providing a false date of birth.

Nathan D. Cammarano, 25, of Broadway Road, Lancaster, is charged with criminal trespass, 3rd, after allegedly entering the concert venue after being told he was not allowed inside.

James T. Deluca, 22, of Broadway Road, Lancaster, is charged with trespass after allegedly attempting to reenter the concert venue several times after being ejected and told not to return.

Tyler J. Goodenough, 21, of West Filbert Street, East Rochester, is charged with disorderly conduct after allegedly causing a disturbance while being ejected from the concert.

Alexander J. Rajla, 21, of Bobrich Drive, Rochester, is charged with unlawful possession of marijuana after allegedly possessing marijuana.