Thursday News Brief

Former Batavia Armory senior housing project moves forward

Nearly six years after first being proposed, plans to redevelop the former Batavia Armory on State Street are back before City Council.
In February of 2020, Batavia resident David Vasciannie hosted an open house outlining his vision to convert the former armory at 235 State Street into a senior housing and commercial complex. Now, a Rochester-based development group is asking the city to take the next step.
City Council agreed Monday night to send a rezoning request to the City Planning and Development Committee. The request would change the property from an R-1 Residential District to a P-5 Planned Development District.
Vasciannie’s company, DaVas LLC, which owns the property, is partnering with Rochester Management on the project. According to city documents, the proposal includes a four-story senior housing building with up to 113 units, along with renovated community and medical buildings, parking, stormwater improvements, and a public park.
Vasciannie says details are still being finalized, but adds his goal is to move forward “sooner rather than later,” noting he’s approaching ten years since purchasing the armory.

Stream Data Centers sets new info session date

Stream Data Centers has announced a rescheduled public information session in the Town of Alabama.
The session will take place Monday, February second at six p.m. at the Town of Alabama Fire Hall on Judge Road. The event is open to the public and advance registration is not required.
Stream has also launched a project website with additional details and responses to community questions at streamwny.com.

Fed holds interest rates steady amid inflation concerns

The Federal Reserve hit pause on interest rate cuts Wednesday, leaving its key rate unchanged at about three-point-six percent after cutting rates three times last year.
Fed officials say the job market has stabilized and economic growth remains solid, giving them little urgency to move further while inflation remains above their two percent target. The Fed’s preferred inflation measure stood at two-point-eight percent in November.
Two officials dissented, favoring another quarter-point cut. The decision is likely to draw more criticism from President Trump, who has repeatedly pressured Fed Chair Jerome Powell to cut rates faster.
Most policymakers still expect borrowing costs to come down later this year, though economists say the earliest cuts would likely come in June or later.

Notre Dame hosting open house tonight

Notre Dame Junior Senior High School is hosting its annual open house tonight from 5:30 to 7 p.m.
Families with students in grade 6 or higher are invited to attend and take part in student-led tours of the school. Administrators and teachers will be available to answer questions and share information about academics, activities, and student life.
The open house is tonight at Notre Dame Junior Senior High School.

Genesee County boys basketball scores from Wednesday night…

Batavia hung around, but Canandaigua had the answers down the stretch, taking it 67–58.
Alexander took care of business at home, knocking off Byron-Bergen 59–50.
Elba put on an offensive clinic, absolutely rolling Wheatland-Chili 91–47.
Pembroke emptied the bench early, running away from Holley 92–40.
Kendall stayed in cruise control, beating Oakfield-Alabama 76–40.
And Notre Dame slammed the door, dominating Lyndonville 81–44.
That’s how it shook out on the hardwood Wednesday night.

Genesee County girls basketball from Wednesday night…

Notre Dame picked up a signature win, knocking off Wilson 49–38. Wilson came in 10–1, making it a statement victory for the Irish.
Dansville handled Le Roy 54–40, dropping the Oatkan Knights to 7–6 on the season.