Beyond Randall Road: Building Community on the West Side

Ward 7 is made up of the west side of Batavia, and contains a lot of the West Side staples we often think about: Engstrom Park, the Mooseheart Corn Fields, the High School, and yes, Randall Road. And then there's the large groups of brand new homes, a bunch of houses with little history, and a downtown that is not as walkable as you might like to most.

It's an area without a lot of focal points for gathering, and the ones that are there are largely commercial and impersonal. So how do those who live in Ward 7 create a sense of belonging where they are?

In this episode, we spoke to city council members Robin Barraza and Bob White about the proactive ways Ward 7 residents create opportunities for connection and community in their neighborhoods.

PLUS: Richard and Alexa discuss the uneasy local reaction to a brief run-in with a certain famous blimp.

• For 630 Members: Richard and Alexa discuss local uses of AI, and Robin and Bob share their Batavia Favs.
• Listen to previous conversations with Batavia City Council members.
• Check out previous episodes of the Batavia Insider, available for 630 members.

This episode of Area Code: Batavia is sponsored by 212° Construction Group.

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Area Code: Batavia is produced by Area Code Audio. It's hosted and produced by Richard Clark. Our associate producer and co-host is Alexa Swidenbank. Edited and mixed by Cray Allred. Additional production help from Jennifer Clark.