Ann Falco made a special trip to visit downtown Batavia Friday afternoon to share her many thoughts about sections of Bank Street being safe to cross -- or not.

Members of a county health committee had set up displays of potential future curbing, lights and artistic license to demonstrate ways to help slow down traffic and make crosswalks a more viable way to cross over from the east and west sides of Bank Street at three points between Main Street and Washington Avenue. 

“I came just for this,” Falco said as organizers were wrapping up their survey stations. “It’s a joy to drive down Park Road. I want to see that replicated here.”

In collaboration with community partners, Genesee County and the City of Batavia are thrilled to announce the upcoming “Bank Street Pop-Up Demonstration”, an event that aims to collect valuable public feedback to improve the look of the street and make the community more walkable. It will take place on Friday, August 18, 2023, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., with a rain date set for Monday, August 21. 

The demonstration will be located between Main Street and Washington Avenue in Batavia. The demonstration is an outcome of the Active People, Healthy Nation Walkability Virtual Academy, in which Genesee County was selected as one of the teams from across the nation to participate. The primary focus was on creating safer and more accessible pedestrian, bicycle, and transit transportation networks for people of all ages, races, ethnicities, incomes, backgrounds, abilities, and disabilities.

The Pop-Up Demonstration aims to engage the public and receive their valuable input on various aspects of street and landscape design, crosswalk placements, and overall mobility in the area. During the event, teams will gather insights from the community, allowing more informed decisions that align with the needs and preferences of the residents.

"We are hoping that the public will come out on Friday the 18th and check out the design and provide us their thoughts about what they see," said Diana Fox, Director of the Genesee County Office For The Aging. “Community feedback is crucial to creating a neighborhood that fosters active and healthy living.”

The City will temporarily close parts of the street to traffic from 7 a.m.-9 a.m. on August 18 in preparation for the event. Artists from GO ART! will paint vibrant and attractive crosswalks, and Batavia Turf has contributed turf that will enhance the visual appeal of the space.

This initiative represents another significant step towards building a community that prioritizes the well- being of its residents and visitors, promoting physical activity and ensuring that streets are safe and accessible for all.

The City of Batavia is hosting one of 10 "walkability audits" happening across the Finger Lakes Region. The project is funded by the Genesee Transportation Council through its Unified Planning Work Program (UPWP). The purpose of the audit is to get local perspectives on the problems and opportunities faced by pedestrians, and develop solutions for improving pedestrian safety, accessibility, convenience and comfort.

The intent of the audit is to help increase foot traffic and encourage alternatives to automobiles as a means of transportation. As a result, it hopes to increase the vibrancy and appeal of the City as a place to shop, socialize and recreate. The walkability audit will succeed best if it includes a range of community stakeholders from all perspectives working together to understand the issues and opportunities, and make sure the plan is responsive to locally identified needs.

The City of Batavia’s audit is scheduled to take place on Wednesday, April 22, 2015. Please join us for lunch and a presentation in the Council Chambers at City Hall. Following lunch the group will walk the City approximately one to two miles (90-minute walk) returning to the Council Chambers for discussion in small focus groups. The focus groups are to review problems and concerns identified on the walk and throughout the day and discuss solutions for future improvements. The day will conclude at 4 p.m.

For participation in the walkability tour, please contact Lisa Casey at the City Manager’s Office at (585) 345-6333 or e-mail at Lcasey@batavianewyork.com no later than April 10th to be placed in attendance.

Additional information will be mailed to you after your acknowledgement of attendance. We are looking for at least 30 people. Please bring your walking shoes, galoshes, or do I dare say snow boots? We will be walking in rain, snow or shine!