Residents consider revitalizing downtown and improving traffic flow the city’s top priorities, a recent community survey reveals.
Assistant City Administrator Randy Recklaus told the City Council this week that the third annual survey produced similar results to the 2004 and 2005 polls.
City staff sent survey forms to 1,500 random households. Ninety-four percent of the 528 respondents rated Batavia as a good or excellent place to live, while 91 percent agreed that the city is a good or excellent place to raise children. Only 49 percent, however, said Batavia is a good town for retirees, which Recklaus attributed to the high property taxes needed to support School District 101.
Respondents rated rapid response to fire alarms; rapid response to medical emergencies; police services; high-quality drinking water; and good sewers as the most important services the city provides. They gave the lowest scores to the city’s performance in street maintenance; downtown revitalization efforts; attracting affordable housing for seniors and young families; and managing expansion to balance the community. About two-thirds of respondents said they think Batavia needs a second bridge across the Fox River and that the City Council should take a more active role in downtown redevelopment.