BATAVIA – North River Street is sporting streetscape improvements, and several businesses have opened or plan to open in the downtown as a result of the city’s use of tax increment financing funds.

But not all residents and aldermen agree with how the funds are used. Batavia resident Jack McCabe said he believes the $3.5 million the city is spending on the North River Street project is a waste of money. The project is being funded with funds generated from the two active downtown TIF districts.

North River Street, which recently has reopened to pedestrian and vehicular traffic, has been transformed into a curbless street in which pedestrians have priority over cars. The project is expected to be finished by spring. McCabe said the decrease in parking will hurt the restaurants and other businesses along North River Street.