Allentown plans for ’04 bridge closure

Downtown businesses discuss ways to keep traffic flowing in the borough once closing takes place.

By: Cynthia Koons
   ALLENTOWN — Members of the Allentown business community began meetings last week to determine how to keep downtown business vital when the Mill Pond bridge closes for replacement construction next year.
   As recently as March, the bridge incurred a large sinkhole, which required shutting it off to traffic for six days. Officials have said that the bridge’s age was a significant reason for the hole’s formation.
   Mike Lipman, owner of Allentown Wine and Liquors on Main Street, said he lost business during those days and he hopes the bridge replacement doesn’t affect his business dramatically.
   "That was a surprise," he said of the sinkhole’s appearance. "Hopefully this (closure) will be a little more planned out."
   Mr. Lipman, who belongs to the Allentown Business Community Association, said the group is discussing ways to keep business flowing when the traffic is not.
   "We’re really up in the air," he said, adding the group does not know exactly when the bridge will be closed. "(The group is) looking at some other towns which have had the same problem."
   Nearby Hightstown experienced a Main Street road closure due to roadwork that lasted about seven months last summer into the fall. Downtown businesses protested the work because the project was originally scheduled to last three to four months.
   Businesses in Hightstown experienced significant revenue loss during that period; the secondhand store My Place at Lisa Marie’s closed because of its losses. Owners continually placed signs throughout the community to attract local shoppers.
   Mayor Stuart Fierstein said the Allentown Borough Council would work actively with the business community to ensure a similar situation does not ensue in Allentown.
   "We experienced and learned from the six days that the bridge was closed," he said. "There are a number of issues that need to be addressed with roads, schools, the business community, detours, signage."
   He said the borough will work cooperatively with Upper Freehold to resolve these issues.
   "We will deal with the problem jointly so there is the least amount of imposition to the community and traffic," he said. They also will devise ways to attract the largest number of shoppers the community can accommodate, he said.
   In looking at early estimations for the construction timeframe, he said, the project could take anywhere from one year to 16 months. He doesn’t anticipate any work beginning in 2003.
   Church Street business owners Harry and Donna Ryba of Heavenly Sweets said that while the Main Street shops may be affected by the bridge closing, they do not anticipate losing any revenue during the work period.
   "It’s not like Allentown is going to be completely shut down," Mr. Ryba said. "There will be a way around."
   "You’re concerned about your business, but if your bridge doesn’t get fixed, people are going to be wary about crossing it," he said. The bridge has been closed for substantial repairs two or three times in the past few years, he said.
   "The biggest concern is that it has to be done," Mr. Ryba said.
   But while it may be a necessary evil for Mr. and Mrs. Ryba’s business, Mr. Lipman fears he will lose consumers to the two competing liquor stores in Yardville.
   "Any (customers) that (live) on the other side of the bridge — we could lose," he said.