THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1994, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: THURSDAY, June 30, 1994 TAG: 9406280139
SECTION: NORFOLK COMPASS PAGE: 04 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY LARRY W. BROWN, STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: 940630 LENGTH: Medium
However, construction officials now promise to complete work by the end of 1994. Knowing when the six-lane road will be finished seems to be easing tensions between merchants and officials.
{REST} Business owners between 38th and 51st streets say construction, scheduled to be completed a year ago, has devasted their businesses. One restaurant, Arnold's Sandwiches, closed its doors in May.
``The merchants are taking a beating economically,'' said Jay Sherrill, who represents the Old Dominion Merchants and Business Association. ``If people know what's going on they'll be able to deal with the problems.''
Tim Batterson, owner of Batterson's restaurant, said his sales have decreased because of construction. ``My numbers are down well over 50 percent,'' he said. ``It started last May and June and it's even lower this year.''
Last year, Batterson said, he had more than 18 employees. He now can afford only two full-time and four part-time workers.
Like Batterson, Paul Seifert, manager of Friar Tuck's restaurant and bar, said he depends on walk-up business.
``My sales have gone done 20-25 percent,'' Seifert said. ``People don't want to come in with these piles of dirt and holes in the ground.''
``Physical appearance has a lot to do with marketability,'' said Sherrill, who owns Old Dominion Inn. ``We're dealing with first impressions and availability.''
Copytron owner John Adams agrees. Many longtime customers are shopping elsehwere, he said.
``We just have a bad situation,'' he said. ``Sales are down 38 percent, and it looks like that is going to continue. I'm not complaining, but I'm feeling kind of victimized.''
Bill Thomas, an economist who helps the merchants association, said many business owners have been angry because the project's completion is long overdue.
``There hasn't been any communication,'' he said. ``The worst thing in the world is not to know what the status is. You can't make a decision.''
Sherrill said lack of communication left merchants feeling helpless.
``We've just had to endure whatever happens,'' he said. ``That puts you at their mercy. The only options are to sue or try to survive.''
Merchants aired their grievances about the construction at a meeting last week with officials from the Virginia Department of Transportation, REA Construction and City Hall. Sherrill said he organized the session not to point fingers but to open communication.
``If the group can give some logical answers it would be better than no communication at all,'' Sherrill said.
According to Jim Cleveland, a district construction engineer with VDOT, the project, which began in May 1992, was scheduled to be completed in 18 months. Unforeseen problems with underground utility lines delayed the project, which now is 80 percent done.
``We've encountered a number of these conflicts,'' he said, ``and that takes a longer period to deal with.''
Dennis O'Connor, Virginia area manager for REA Construction, said the company is committed to finishing the road by Dec. 15. He asked merchants to contact his company when they have questions.
``We need to have communication with you all when we're in front of your businesses,'' O'Connor said. ``We need to have your understanding while we're there.''
O'Connor said REA and the city also will look for ways to alleviate merchant concerns about the lack of parking, which has worsened since construction began.
Sherrill said the meeting was a success. ``We're now in the communication stage and the project will go smoother,'' he said. ``We've seen that the main problem was the lack of coordination and support by the utilities.''
``We've laid a schedule we can meet,'' said P.D. Gribok, VDOT resident engineer, ``and we're committed to meet it.''
Sherrill said merchants will meet again to discuss financial losses.
``We need to look at some alternative methods in future road projects to take the pressure off small businesses,'' he said. ``Their (VDOT) primary purpose is to serve people but they need to do so in a more amiable way.'' by CNB