Brockport merchants organize to protect livelihoods

Brockport merchants have banded together to productively pursue ways to protect their businesses, and their rights, in the face of proposed road rehabilitation that would go through the Main Street business district.

Anthony Peone, owner of Brockport Computer and Peter Apicella, owner of Java Junction, are the temporary co-chairs of the newly formed Brockport Merchants Political Action Committee and were hosts of a meeting on May 5. A handful of Main Street merchants attended the meeting to voice concerns about the potential negative impact the construction could have on their businesses.

"If the roads are closed for construction, could any of you go a month without income?" Apicella asked.

Village Manager Ian Coyle told those in attendance that the Department of Transportation and village officials had compiled a "wish list" that was brought forth in meetings held in 2001 and 2002. "There was a Main Street task force that had input into the wish list presented to the DOT," he said. "Items mentioned were curb cuts, medians, brick crosswalks, a center island and other items including the reconstruction of the street."

Many of the items, Coyle said, were deemed not feasible, such as brick streets or diagonal parking and bike lanes. "The DOT's priority, I think, is the upgrade and maintenance of the streets," Coyle said.

Former village mayor Josephine Matela, owner of Red Bird Tea Shoppe, said that in 2001 there were meetings with the DOT and some of the ideas tossed around were toward helping to keep Brockport a "walkable" community. "The ideas mentioned in the original meeting (diagonal parking, brick streets, bike lanes and traffic circles) were never intended to become 'the plan.' Some of the ideas were put forth as 'traffic calming designs,' some of them might not have been practical but they were ideas of ways to slow the traffic down as it passes through Main Street."

"We are ultimately interested in the details of the project," Pat Kutz, owner of Lift Bridge Books, said. "We're here because we want to know the process especially because if someone else is making the decisions that are going to affect our entire lives, we need to have a say."

"I'm very glad to hear that the merchants are thinking about the future now, instead of once the bulldozers show up. Advance planning is the best strategy. It really shows a genuine concern for not only their businesses, but also the community," Lori Maher, public information officer with the DOT said.

According to Maher, engineers from DOT would be more than happy to meet the merchants group or any other interested group to collect input about what needs to be done along this section of Route 19 and suggestions to keep disruptions to a minimum.

"It's also important to note that the project is still in an early phase, so that means that no decisions have been made," she said.

There will be plenty of opportunities for the public to provide input early on and then feedback later in the process once we have identified feasible alternatives. "Also, everyone needs to keep in mind the big picture - a capital improvement project will improve highway safety, improve the condition of the aged pavement, improve traffic flow (especially at busy intersections) and provide enhancements that will add to the historic character of the village."

Mayor Mort Wexler said it would be close to a year-and-a-half before any steps were taken on construction. "The DOT will come in at the end of this summer or next fall to talk to us and before then a committee will be formed to help with the discussions," he said. "You people (downtown merchants) have a major say in this project. This could determine your livelihoods."

The safety and well being of the residents will also be taken into consideration when designs are discussed. "We need to be able to get fire trucks down the streets," he said.

Town of Sweden Supervisor Buddy Lester, who is also an attorney on Main Street said, "This isn't novel. The DOT does these type of projects across the state," he said. Lester also suggested inviting a DOT representative in for a meeting with the merchants.

The group planned to contact DOT representatives and host a second meeting in June.

May 14, 2006