The construction on the Arrigoni Bridge is killing Don Sataline’s business. His store, It’s Only Natural Food Market, used to do a large percentage of its business in the late afternoon and early evening hours - but that’s exactly when the bridge construction brings Main Street traffic to a crawl.
“Between 4 and 6 [pm], we could basically take a European siesta”, Sataline told the city Economic Development Committee at their monthly meeting Monday night. That might sound pleasant to some, but it’s a nightmare for the market and its employees.
Based on the past 4 months of construction, Sataline estimates that his business over 12 months will be down $125,000. He’s now faced with laying off 3 staff members.
The committee heard from Sataline as they considered a resolution to make money available to North End business owners who may have to cut jobs as a result of their business being disrupted by the bridge construction. The city would use federal block grant money to help businesses retain jobs, offering as much as $35,000 for each job that could be retained. Businesses would have to open up their books and prove that the construction has caused losses leading to potential layoffs.
The committee unanimously voted to send the resolution to the Common Council. Meanwhile, Sataline says “People from Cromwell, Rocky Hill, anywhere north of us, are avoiding the North End.”
Concerned about any job losses, committee member Joe Bibisi could only offer encouragement until the Council votes on the funding. “Hang on”, he said. “Hang on tight.”
12 comments:
I cross the bridge 2-4 times a day and rarely see anyone working. Sometimes it's only a couple of people. Given people are out of work, a big crew should be working on that bridge 24/7 finishing it in 6 months not 18! Completing the work should be a priority. Everyone from the construction company to the overtime police officers are milking this job for all it's worth at the expense of local businesses. How is the MX COC letting them get away with it?
Last time I checked Don Sataline owned ION Market. Who is Joe?
I used to go to ION quite often when it was in the Main Street Market. It was one of several businesses I'd frequent when downtown. Now that it's further up Main Street,I don't. So maybe it's not the bridge. I hope a thorough analysis is done before giving away money.
My mistake. It's been corrected.
Actually, I had it right. It does say Don.
So he moves his business further up Main Street (to the rougher area), loses business, and blames it on the Bridge project. NOT! Also, why would our tax dollars support his poor business decisions? Will he give the money back when his statement of "its the Bridge Construction" does not pan out?
He moved his business well over a year ago. He's talking about a decrease in the last four months. He'll have to prove that before getting any of that (federal) money. But anyone driving past his store at 5pm can see that the traffic must be killing him. I know I avoid the North End at that time, if at all possible. Government action caused the problem, makes sense that the government should step in to try to keep local businesses and JOBS. What would it cost the taxpayers to have those three people on unemployment, and an empty building in the North End?
The business has been in its new location for a few years now, long enough to know what a baseline is at the new spot. And long enough to know that this isn't normal.
My office is right on Main St. and the construction is really a terrible situation. Can't blame it on the neighborhood.
Blame the economy and inflation- people are waking up and realizing that paying higher prices for organic food may not be a priority with other bills to pay. EVERY one is suffering, so of course a speciality store is too. I have to cross the bridge for business and am delayed. I waste gas but no one is giving me a check for what I must burn in time and gas every day.
Larry McHugh has been fighting a fix for the route 9 lights and the bridge for years to protect Main St. Middletown. Protectionism has led to the issues today.
From a 2005 Middletown Press article:
Access from the ramp is vital to the success of the downtown’s businesses, including the Destinta Metro Square 12 movie theater, said Middlesex Chamber of Commerce President Larry McHugh.
"Until there is access into the center core, the lights can not go," said McHugh.
Someone else looking for a handout. How come no other business is complaining or is this the first of many claims. All businesses operate with a risk of a decrease in profit due to economy, location, weather, construction and acts of God. When do taxpayer stop providing the bail outs?
I was in a successful and long-established North End retail business yesterday when the owner mentioned to me that they might as well close between 4 and 6 because of the bridge traffic - he hadn't heard about the Economic Development meeting, it was just a comment he was making about the change in his business. Although it may not be affecting every business, there's no doubt that the bridge construction is a hard pill to swallow for some downtown businesses, and comes at a low point in the economy, making it that much harder to absorb the loss.
I'm glad the city is looking into some relief for these businesses, whatever form it might take, because it costs much less for the city to assist a viable business in hard times than it does to recruit a new one - and our commercial tax base is not just some frivolous social program, it's the bedrock of our city budget. I think it was clear from the article that there would be a check and balance to ensure that it was not abused.
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