BATAVIA – Aldermen on the Batavia City Council Community Development Committee on Tuesday said they want to continue with the city’s facade grant program and the downtown improvement grant program with some changes.

Batavia Assistant City Administrator Jason Bajor told aldermen the programs are essential to the downtown’s vitality. He said the businesses that have been helped by the programs “are creating reasons for people to come to the downtown.”

Aldermen had voiced concerns about the programs. Bajor said he has had to tell applicants the programs are on “stand-by” until the City Council moves forward.