The volunteer citizens group building the city’s downtown riverwalk park will be at least $250,000 short for its 1994 construction program.
The need for donations, with which the group is paying for the multimillion-dollar project, came through loud and clear at a meeting last week between the Batavia Riverwalk Committee and business and community leaders.
“I don’t have the money to do what I want to accomplish this year,” said Dennis Kintop, the project’s construction manager. “Without these funds, this is going to take a lot longer to complete.”
Kintop said that with the use of volunteer labor and donated materials, he has been able to complete about $3 million worth of work over the last three years while only spending about $1 million.
Based on that formula, the committee needs about $430,000 this year to finish what he has planned. But the committee has about $186,000 now and no major cash contributions in sight for the near future.
“For every dollar you give to the riverwalk, I can turn it into three, but I need the dollar first,” Kintop said.
“I’m trying to budget volunteerism, and that’s a hard thing to do.”
This year’s construction schedule calls for the committee to build a pavilion at the northwest corner of the peninsula where the park is located, an elevated boardwalk leading to the pavilion, additional footage in the brick walkway, a playground, landscaping and the installation of light poles throughout the park.
Britta McKenna, who is in charge of marketing and fundraising, said the committee is losing about $275,000 in pledges that have not come through or grants that have not been secured.
People wishing to donate to the project can pay $50 to $4,500 to have their names engraved on things ranging from bricks to scenic overlooks. Sponsoring a bike rack costs $100 and waste cans about $250 compared with light poles for $1,200 and landscaping for $1,500.
The Riverwalk Committee began work in 1991, pledging to use corporate and private donations instead of tax money. The park is on the peninsula at Houston Street and Island Avenue.
More Top Picks Best Power Banks With Built In Cables