The conceptual streetscape designs for the Batavia Main Street revitalization project will be on display at the Taste of Clermont this weekend, Sept. 8-10.

The Batavia main street revitalization project is in the conceptual stage and this is the first chance that the public will have to look at the plans.

“We are excited about showing the community what we have been talking about and planning for the past couple of years,” said Village Association of Batavia President Kathy McCoy-Leone.

Karen Adams, the Main Street Program Director for the Village Association of Batavia, is responsible for managing the program, coordinating the volunteer efforts, assisting with the program implementation, and acting as the primary spokesperson for the program.

“The designs that the community will have a chance to see this weekend are a result of many concepts that have been distilled down into one version that the VAB is recommending to village council and the public,” Adams said. “They are not the final plans. We are soliciting comments from council, the public, the merchants, and the business owners. That input will probably amend the drawing a little bit before the final version comes out.”

In mid October, the village association will hold a general meeting to present the plans and finalize the vision for the Main Street program.

“We want everyone to come to the Taste and see the plans for their village,” she said. “We will have before and after illustrations on display in two different locations. We want ideas and suggestions from the public. After all, it is their Main Street.”

The Main Street Program, which was implemented by the Association, is a national program designed to restore and revitalize downtown commercial districts. Batavia applied to the program, met all of the criteria for acceptance, and was admitted as one of the 620 nationally recognized communities in the Main Street program.

“The goal of the program is basically to restore and improve the economic revitalization of Batavia,” said McCoy-Leone. “Another goal is the historical preservation of the history of the people that have lived and currently live here. We are attempting to salvage the old buildings.”

The Main Street program is also a marketing program that uses a four point approach. The four points are organization, design, economic restructuring, and promotion; there is a local committee for each approach. This week’s display at the Taste will be part of the promotional aspect of the program.

Before going on display for the general public, the streetscape designs were presented to the Batavia Village Council, the village planning and zoning boards, and many other groups and organizations for approval.