Recent news from Batavia and Genesee County concerns development: Expansion of an industrial park. Plans for a new tourism center. Monday morning, a new seven-million dollar hotel.
"If you're gonna have growth, certainly you need entertainment to make it such a great place to come to," said Mike Nolan, Chief Operating Officer and executive VP of Batavia Downs.
Developers have focused on the area around Batavia Downs recently, announcing plans for a new tourism center, and the relocation of the Genesee County Chamber of Commerce to renovated space near the racino.
Governor Cuomo was in town last week to announce investments in an industrial park west of the city. Nolan told WXXI the hotel complements the business investments.
"Certainly you need entertainment to make it such a great place to come to. We're happy to be part of the growth that seems to really happening in Genesee County."
The new hotel will mimic the front of Batavia Downs, with a similar “old-Hollywood” look. The hotel complements just-finished banquet center renovations which cost 28-million dollars.
"Darien Lake's obviously one of the biggest, but we're right there with them in Genesee County. Not only a great place to invest and build business, but we're gonna entertain anybody that's going to come and build business."
Nolan says the racino hopes to host more trade shows, weddings and banquets.
If you visit, here’s Nolan’s tip: "On a Saturday night go with your significant other, to sit on a balcony and watch harness racing, I think would be one of the neatest things that you could ever do in an evening."
The hotel is expected to open next May.