WTNH News Channel 8 / News / 1999

	Construction Causing Headaches for Businesses (West Haven-WTNH) _ Some West Haven merchants say a city improvement project is ruining their business. Crews are working on the first stage of what's called the Elm Street Project. But the area has lots of trouble when it rains because the drainage system is not sufficient. Some business owners say if it goes on much longer they'll be out of a job. News Channel 8's Verna Collins reports. Since close to the beginning of the year, construction on Elm Street in West Haven has made this road into and out of the city a little rough. Traffic tie ups around the Kimberly Avenue Bridge have become a way of life and some area merchants say that could mean the death of their business. Andrew Coppola has owned Anthony's Lunch for 25 years. He knows the city needs the drainage system that's being put in, but he wants to know why his business has to suffer. Andrew Coppola, Anthony's Lunch: "The way it's going now - if it's going this way for the next 2 months the way it is now, I'm out of business." Yesterday, a water main break forced repair crews to shut down a section of Kimberly Avenue for several hours. Coppola: "I didn't do a dimes business from 1:30 to 4:30. Not one single dime. They had the road closed off. Where does that leave us? It leaves us out in the cold someplace." And he's not the only one who feels that way. Jim Montesanto owns Munson Mobil. He doesn't believe construction will shut him down, but he says it's making business very slow. Jim Montesanto, Munson Mobil "There's definitely been a drop off in business because traffic's been backed up. People are taking alternate routes." But Mayor Richard Borer says although putting in the new storm drains is a hassle for some, it's necessary for others. Mayor Rich Borer, D-West Haven: "There's 3 or 4 intersections that historically flood along Elm Street. Second Avenue would normally be under water when we have any type of rain." Borer believes by having crews work on one side of the street at a time, they can fix the drainage problem, while still leaving room for customers get to the businesses. The "Elm Street" project is expected to take a year to complete, then the city will start on a 3 year economic development project on that strip, which is designed to bring new businesses into the area. Today's News Page. WTNH Home Page. ©1999 WTNH/WTNH-DT A LIN station.

Construction Causing Headaches for Businesses
(West Haven-WTNH) _ Some West Haven merchants say a city improvement project is ruining their business. Crews are working on the first stage of what's called the Elm Street Project. But the area has lots of trouble when it rains because the drainage system is not sufficient. Some business owners say if it goes on much longer they'll be out of a job.
News Channel 8's Verna Collins reports.

Since close to the beginning of the year, construction on Elm Street in West Haven has made this road into and out of the city a little rough. Traffic tie ups around the Kimberly Avenue Bridge have become a way of life and some area merchants say that could mean the death of their business.

Andrew Coppola has owned Anthony's Lunch for 25 years. He knows the city needs the drainage system that's being put in, but he wants to know why his business has to suffer.

Andrew Coppola, Anthony's Lunch: "The way it's going now - if it's going this way for the next 2 months the way it is now, I'm out of business."

Yesterday, a water main break forced repair crews to shut down a section of Kimberly Avenue for several hours.

Coppola: "I didn't do a dimes business from 1:30 to 4:30. Not one single dime. They had the road closed off. Where does that leave us? It leaves us out in the cold someplace."

And he's not the only one who feels that way. Jim Montesanto owns Munson Mobil. He doesn't believe construction will shut him down, but he says it's making business very slow.

Jim Montesanto, Munson Mobil "There's definitely been a drop off in business because traffic's been backed up. People are taking alternate routes."

But Mayor Richard Borer says although putting in the new storm drains is a hassle for some, it's necessary for others.

Mayor Rich Borer, D-West Haven: "There's 3 or 4 intersections that historically flood along Elm Street. Second Avenue would normally be under water when we have any type of rain."

Borer believes by having crews work on one side of the street at a time, they can fix the drainage problem, while still leaving room for customers get to the businesses. The "Elm Street" project is expected to take a year to complete, then the city will start on a 3 year economic development project on that strip, which is designed to bring new businesses into the area.

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