Updated 08/04/2008 10:51 PM
Watertown business owner wants his driveway exit back
WATERTOWN, N.Y. -- The sign in front of his business says it all. Mr. Sub owner Carl Farone wants his exit back.
One of his two driveways that people have been using as an exit for years is being literally eliminated in the city of Watertown's Public Square reconstruction project. A crosswalk from the other side of the square will be installed in its place, leaving only one way in and out, right where cars are entering and exiting the square itself.
"Which makes getting in and out, I won't say impossible, but extremely difficult. As we all know, customers are less likely to go in and out of a retail area if it's difficult to get in and out. They'll choose other alternatives," said Farone's lawyer, David Antonucci.
Farone hired Antonucci to try and get the city to redesign the project and give him his exit back. The city was considering a $21,000 traffic study to see if it would be worth the delay and cost to go back to the drawing board. But the way the city council spoke Monday, that doesn't seem to be a realistic option.
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"My inclination is to leave the plan in place and complete the project this year and start enjoying the benefits of a completed downtown. I personally don't see the council spending $21,000 and then a ton more on changes or delaying the project," Watertown Mayor Jeff Graham said.
"It sounds like Mr. Mayor had his mind made up and told us that we could pursue other remedies, which is what we intend to do," Antonucci said about Graham's words. "I will meet with Mr. Farone within the next 24-36 hours to see what legal remedies are available to him including filing a proof of claim against the city for the loss and possibly seeking injuncture relief to either stop the construction or get him his driveway back."
Now because the city most likely plans to keep this project as is, Antonucci says his next step will most likely be a lawsuit. The re-design study would have taken at least two months to complete.
A couple of city council members, Carl Farone and his lawyer have questioned why the study would be so expensive and also are wondering if it would really take that long.