Concerned citizens discuss Route 219 bridge closing

There was a sense of frustration, but no shouting. Some in the crowd were discouraged and some were disgusted, but no one behaved discourteously. The citizens who had gathered in the Springville Area Chamber of Commerce office on Jan. 25 were there to discuss business: the business of getting the old Route 219 bridge re-opened.

Closed three weeks earlier without notice by the New York State Department of Transportation because of a frozen bearing, the high-level structure was the beginning of the journey south for those who had chosen to shop in Springville. The bridge was also the entryway for those coming north to buy everything from apples and autos to zippers and zinfandel.

Springville Area Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Kate Moody started off by asking the owners of businesses located along the strip to supply facts and figures pertaining to work hours and revenue reductions over the previous 20 days to the chamber of commerce. “We need this information to use as ammunition to get that bridge repaired,” she said.

A temporary exemption by the NYSDOT on signage along Route 219 was also called for by the chamber. Representatives from the town of Concord and the village of Springville had previously voiced the same concern: waive the rules, regulations, fees and the red tape and erect signs that will assist both the out-of-town shoppers and the local businesses.

“People’s livelihoods are on the line,” said Bill Gugino, a representative from the chamber. “We need to pressure all our elected officials.” Chamber memos reminded the assembled to call, email or write members of the legislature. Calls were sent out to keep the pressure on.

Karen O’Hara, the owner of Southtowns Rte 219 Antiques, the last business a motorists would pass before driving over the bridge and out of town, was the first of several businesspeople to stand and speak. “I need that traffic. I need those customers,” she said.

O’Hara also asked where the bridge stood on the list of DOT repair jobs. A chamber representative said that she had heard Governor Andrew Cuomo’s office say that the structure spanning Cattaraugus Creek was one of nine on that list.

McDonald’s restaurant branch owner Mike Beatty said, “This feels like a double whammy. First the bypass, now the closure.”

Village Fire Chief Dennis Dains said, “I have not signed off on the takeover of responsibility [in regard to the bridge and the surrounding roadways]. I haven’t and I won’t.”

Country Fair District Manager Patrick Farrington addressed the group, saying, “Our figures show that business is down by 10 percent.” Country Fair is the business on South Cascade Drive located farthest from the bridge. “The owner of our parent company is one of the richest men in the world and he’s concerned,” said Farrington.

The village of Springville was represented by Deputy Mayor Jean Moncreiff and the town of Concord was represented by Supervisor Gary Eppolito. Moncreiff cited a rating from the Moody firm that said Springville was 300 percent above the national average for commerce in municipalities of similar ilk. That rating came before the DOT closed the southern entrance to the strip that is referred to as the “Golden Mile.” Eppolito told those in attendance that he was in the process of lining up the support of the other townships within Erie County to stand together in calling for the re-opening of the bridge.

Erie County Legislator John Mills suggested having a package deal made with the NYSDOT or securing low-interest business loans. He also suggested that “maybe we could get the 8.75 percent sales tax dropped by the state” until the bridge is re-opened.

Cattaraugus County Legislator and strip business owner William Sprague said, “It may be difficult getting the state’s cooperation on the sales tax, but the county [of Erie] gets 4 percent of that tax, and that you should get dropped much easier.” He also suggested “going higher” than dealing with only New York state officials.

Chamber President David Field told the 60 citizens gathered that evening that his organization would continue to work with all affected parties.

On Jan. 31, a NYSDOT representative announced that the high-level bridge is now expected to re-open this April.

Business owners affected by the bridge closing will meet at Apple Dumplin’ Restaurant Feb. 8 at 7 p.m. to further discuss the issue.