Brownfield Opportunity Area Plan
The groundwork for the Comprehensive Redevelopment & Placemaking Strategy was established through the City’s participation in New York State’s Brownfield Opportunity Area (BOA) program. LaBella prepared a pre-nomination BOA plan that identified preliminary target redevelopment areas within a 366-acre area. A subsequent BOA nomination plan defined four strategic areas: The Downtown, the medical corridor, the Creek Park area, and the historic Harvester Center industrial complex. Detailed assessments of these areas included land use analyses, Phase I and Phase II environmental assessments, and concept-level plans and renderings. The plans were further informed by realistic economic and market analyses, along with knowledge of the local real estate market.
LaBella worked with the City of Batavia and the Batavia Development Corporation to promote and market the strategic areas. A Developers’ Forum shared information on each area, supported by illustrative renderings that helped participants visualize potential redevelopment opportunities.
As a result of the BOA nomination plans, the City has experienced investment in the target areas, including:
- A new $35 million Healthy Living Campus, a partnership between the YMCA and Rochester Regional Health
- $4 million in building renovations across 23 properties, revitalizing commercial spaces and creating new residential units
- Construction of 70 workforce housing units through two projects totaling over $25 million
- Creation of the Ellicott Trail through the city center, along with several sidewalk improvement projects that enhance pedestrian and bicycle amenities
The City’s BOA journey is ongoing. With pre-development BOA funding, the City is creating development-ready implementation tools for its strategic target areas to maintain redevelopment momentum.
Downtown Revitalization Initiative
The City was awarded New York State Downtown Revitalization Initiative (DRI) funding in 2017, and LaBella was engaged by New York State to complete the corresponding DRI Strategic Investment Plan. Working with a 23-member Local Planning Committee, LaBella developed the plan, which included:
- Public and stakeholder participation
- Assessment of existing conditions
- Economic and market analysis
- Implementation strategy
- Development of project profiles
Over a six-month period, the team conducted extensive community engagement, consulted with project sponsors, and developed 16 projects—a mix of catalytic public and private projects designed to advance the Local Planning Committee’s vision to “reshape Batavia’s urban core.”
The team also performed due diligence and prepared the projects so they were ready for construction when New York State selected the eight projects. Due diligence included:
- Developing renderings or plans for each project
- Preparing order-of-magnitude cost estimates
- Identifying project benefits
- Outlining timelines and implementation schedules
- Identifying any required permits and other steps necessary for project execution
All eight projects funded by New York State will be completed in 2025.
The success of the 2017-2018 DRI program has motivated the City to become the first community in the state to apply for another DRI award in 2025, seeking funding for public and private projects near the Downtown that have emerged, in part, as a result of its rebirth.
A Community Collaboration
Community engagement was critical to support Batavia’s revitalization efforts. The comprehensive engagement strategy included open houses, stakeholder meetings, and website and social media posts. All meetings were held in the Downtown area, which is accessible by residents, including those from nearby disadvantaged neighborhoods.
Together, the planning efforts and resulting projects have incrementally transformed the City, attracting new housing, restaurants, and visitors. Batavia remains committed to the long-term revitalization of its central core and will continue to ensure that the visions developed through thoughtful planning are fully realized.
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An Award Winning Project
City of Batavia’s Comprehensive Redevelopment Project Recognized at APA New York Upstate 2025 Awards Event
The American Planning Association’s New York Upstate Chapter Awards celebrate originality, innovation, engagement, and successful implementation in community planning. This year, LaBella was honored to receive the 2025 Implementation Award for the City of Batavia’s Comprehensive Redevelopment & Placemaking Strategy project!
The Implementation Award recognizes an effort that accomplishes positive changes as a result of planning, with long-term, measurable results.
