The Holmstad living facility in Batavia hosted the annual “state of the community breakfast ” last week. This year featured a change in format involving presentations by the school, library, and park district along with the city.
School upgrades, pending library remodels, and new faility features at the Depot Pond were mentioned. Worth a watch!
Introduction & Batavia Chamber of Commerce Update
The President and CEO of the Batavia Chamber welcomed attendees to the event, which was hosted at Covenant Living at the Homestead.
- Host and Sponsors: The President and CEO thanked the Homestead, which is celebrating its 50th anniversary and recently buried a time capsule. The President and CEO also recognized the event’s sponsors, including Drendel and Jansen’s Law Group, Waubonsie Community College, State Street Jewelers, Earth Mover Credit Union, and MyLine Bank, as well as BATV for recording the event.
- Community Recognitions: The President and CEO acknowledged the Chamber’s Board of Directors, as well as numerous distinguished community leaders in attendance, including State Senator Linda Holmes, State Representative Matt Hanson, and representatives from the City of Batavia, Batavia Township, the School District, the Park District, and the Library District.
- Citizen of the Year: Nominations for the 2025 Citizen of the Year were announced as due the following day, November 7.
- Upcoming Events & Programs:
- Batavia Women in Business Luncheon: This event on December 11 will support the Batavia Access Toy Drive and Batavia United Way’s Adopt-A-Family program.
- Holiday Bucks: Starting November 10, the Chamber will double the value of Chamber Bucks (up to $5,000 in bonus bucks) to put $10,000 into the local economy.
Batavia Public School District 101 Update
The Superintendent of Batavia Public School District 101 provided an update on the school district’s finances, projects, and strategic goals.
- Finances and Enrollment:
- Property Taxes: The Superintendent noted that the school district’s portion of the property tax rate is expected to decrease by approximately 10% for the upcoming year.
- State Funding: This decrease comes despite a predicted $1.2 million reduction in state funding. The Superintendent noted BPS 101 is a “Tier 4” school district, relying on local revenue for nearly 90% of its funding.
- Enrollment Study: A recent study predicts that enrollment will remain stable and flat, at approximately 5,200 students, year-over-year until 2030. After 2030, there is a possibility of an upward trend.
- Capital Projects:
- H.C. Storm Elementary: The front entryway has been completely remodeled, and new kindergarten spaces—including age-appropriate bathrooms—have been added.
- High School (BHS): The Learning Resource Center (LRC) was “majorly overhauled” and remodeled into a modern technology hub and welcoming space for students to study or read.
- Middle School (RMS): The LRC at the middle school was also remodeled to lighten the space and make it more usable.
- A full district building tour, treated as an open board meeting, is planned for the current school year.
- Strategic Plan and Curriculum:
- The district is actively implementing its five-year strategic plan, using “power metrics” adopted last summer to hold itself accountable for progress.
- The Superintendent stated the district is currently revamping its reading and math curricula with a focus on developing the “whole child”.
- The Superintendent emphasized the goal of preparing students for college and career pathways, highlighting the growth of dual-credit classes that can save parents tuition money. The Superintendent also noted the district is working toward paid internships for students.
Batavia Park District Update
The Executive Director of the Batavia Park District presented the Park District’s “playbook to the future,” focused on addressing the “loneliness epidemic” through recreation and the “obesity epidemic” through parks.
- Scope and Operations: The Executive Director noted the district operates 400 acres across 40 parks, serving 95,000 participants annually through 2,000 recreational programs. The Executive Director explained that boundaries are not contiguous with the city’s, extending into parts of Geneva, Aurora, and North Aurora, requiring collaboration with other park districts.
- Completed Projects:
- South Mill Creek Park: Replaced the poured-in-place surfacing with synthetic turf, which is more accessible for wheelchairs.
- Wooded Baseball Fields: A flooding issue was resolved in partnership with the City and Kane County through a $240,000 “Fab Fox Grant,” which came at no cost to the district or city.
- Clark Island Campus: This area underwent a major renovation, adding a new bike pump track, an outdoor fitness court (in partnership with the Rotary Club), and a fishing outcrop with limestone piers on the Fox River.
- Depot Museum: The museum celebrated its 50th anniversary this year.
- 150 Houston Street: The Executive Director announced the purchase of this property to expand the Riverwalk and museum campus. It now houses Historical Society collections, BATV, and new recreational programming, including an “Adventures Play Lab” for ages 3-5 and new programs for adults 45 and older.
- Future Projects and Master Planning:
- Depot Pond: The Executive Director acknowledged issues with algae and duckweed. Water harvesting was recently performed. Next year, the district will add fountains for aeration and conduct more harvesting. A community survey will be launched next year to gather input for a long-term solution.
- Hawthorne Creek Beach (The Quarry): A new master plan has been developed. Key features include a spray ground (splash pad) that will be converted into an ice skating rink in the winter, a boardwalk, and a food truck plaza. The district is also adding new water features for toddlers this year.
- Playground Replacements: Fox Trail Playground is next on the list for replacement. The turf at the Riverwalk Playground (the district’s #1 used park) will also be replaced.
- Shannon Hall: The floors in the former Holy Cross Church building will be refinished, and security cameras will be added.
Batavia Public Library Update
The Executive Director of the Batavia Public Library discussed the library’s new strategic plan and a major upcoming renovation.
- Strategic Plan and Services:
- The Executive Director reported the completion of a three-year strategic plan with the vision “Engage, connect”.
- Its priorities are engaging the community, providing excellent user experiences by optimizing space, and nurturing a positive staff culture.
- The Executive Director highlighted services like free notary services and the “Library of Things,” where patrons can check out items like hotspots, projectors, and ukuleles.
- Upcoming Renovation and Capital Projects:
- Current Projects: A roof replacement (original to the 23-year-old building) is currently underway and should be finished by Thanksgiving. A new, more user-friendly website and tweaked logo will launch later in November.
- Major Renovation: The Executive Director announced plans for the library’s first major renovation since opening 23 years ago. The project will be funded through reserves and a bond from the library’s fund, requiring no tax increase.
- Renovation Details:
- First Floor: A “maker zone” and a “teen space” (which the library has never had) will be added. The lobby will be opened up by removing double doors and moving the circulation desk forward.
- Lower Level: The children’s department will get an expanded play space and a new craft room.
- General: All fluorescent lighting will be replaced with LED , new color will be added to the “beige” building , and seven new study rooms will be added (more than doubling the current number).
Batavia City Update
The Mayor of Batavia gave an update on city projects, development, and intergovernmental collaboration.
- Intergovernmental Cooperation:
- The Mayor’s primary theme was the city’s “remarkable” spirit of cooperation. The Mayor recounted a recent visit from the Mayor of Highland Park, who was deeply impressed that Batavia’s City, Library, School District, and Park District leadership all work so well together and are physically located within three blocks of each other.
- Project Delays (The “Bad News”):
- Fabian Pkwy & IL-31: The planned rebuild of this intersection by Kane County and IDOT is delayed as the money “is not there this year”. It is pushed to at least next year.
- Batavia Dam: The State of Illinois’s plan to work on the Fox River dams is also delayed due to shy funding, and no work was done this year.
- Major Residential Growth:
- The Mayor reported a significant housing boom, with nearly 900 new living units expected to be added between 2022 and 2026.
- This includes developments by Pulte Homes (on McKee Street and the former Furnace Electric property) and the Prairie Commons townhomes on Kirk Road, plus over 90 units at the Ignite Medical Facility.
- As a result of this growth, Batavia’s population (26,045 in 2020) is projected to exceed 30,000 in the 2030 census. This growth is significantly increasing the city’s assessed valuation.
- Commercial and Industrial Development:
- Aldi: The company built a large addition and parking garage for its national headquarters on Kirk Road.
- Hut 8 Data Center: A proposed $500 million data center on Hubbard Avenue is being reviewed. The city has hired an independent group to vet any noise, water, or electrical concerns.
- Former Sam’s Club (Randall Rd): The building has been subdivided into two uses: a Tesla sales center in the front and a large storage unit facility in the back.
- New Businesses: Warehouse 55 has moved from Aurora to the downtown US Wind Engine and Pump Co. building. The Cinco de Mayo grocery store and bakery has opened in the former Berkeley’s, and it is retaining the location’s popular deli.
- Downtown Projects and Redevelopment:
- Demolitions: The “Old Tin Shop” on North River Street has been bought by the city and will be demolished and replaced with public restrooms for the farmer’s market. The former Hubbard’s Furniture store will also be demolished by the neighboring Methodist Church for parking and access.
- Former 7-Eleven (Wilson/Prairie): The “problem” building’s owner has finally agreed to make repairs, including a new roof and parking lot. It may become a large convenience store.
- Challenge Windmill Factory: The Mayor noted that there is interest from developers in this large, historic property on North River Street.
- Community Assets and Culture:
- Dick Young Forest Preserve: Now one of the largest in Kane County at 1,600 acres, it draws visitors to walk the path around Nelson’s Lake.
- River Rain: The Mayor concluded by reflecting on the 1981 political battle to build the River Rain senior living facility, noting pride that the city built it, as it now provides 85 units of housing for seniors with a waiting list of over 100.
- Final Message: The Mayor stated that the high quality of the School District, Park District, and Library are the key reasons new people move to Batavia, and this cooperation is what “is selling this town”.
Community Announcements
The President and CEO of the Batavia Chamber concluded the event by reminding attendees of two final items:
- Nominations for the BPS 101 Hall of Honor are open.
- Rotary car raffle tickets are for sale online for the November 22 drawing.
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