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Downtown construction on Kyler and Penn worries coffee shop owner; city says attorney pursuing contractor remedies
Summary
Harmony House Coffee owner told council ongoing Kyler/Penn street work has lasted nearly a year and repeatedly closed the shop's drive-through without notice; city administrator said staff and the city attorney are pursuing remedies with the contractor and will follow up with business owners.
Dalton — Local business owners urged Dalton city officials on July 21 to speed completion of a downtown infrastructure project on Kyler Street and Penn Street that has disrupted access to a drive-through coffee shop for months.
Jim Litterdale, owner of Harmony House Coffee Company on Kyler Street, told the council the work has lasted "close to a year," that the project was previously expected to be substantially complete by the end of the month and that his business has suffered recurring, short-term drive-through closures without prior notice. "No one notifies me, and then they just put something to block it the entire rest of the day," Litterdale said. He said older customers are unwilling to walk across uneven sidewalks.
Andrew Parker, city administrator, said the city is "frustrated with the duration" of the project and that staff have been in contact with the city attorney to seek resolution with the contractor. Parker told the council the contractor received a 60-day extension that expires at the end of the month and that the city intends to pursue contract remedies, including liquidated damages, where the contractor failed to meet scheduling commitments.
Council members asked staff to improve communication with businesses during closures; the mayor said the communications director could post updates and the city attorney could provide written status information. Council member Steve (surname not stated) suggested using the city's Facebook page or local paper to notify customers of drive-through closures and possible reopening times.
Why it matters: Ongoing public-works work that repeatedly interrupts customer access is directly affecting a small downtown business and, according to the owners, reducing patronage. City staff signaled legal remedies and promised to follow up on notifications and on sidewalk-completion status.
What the city will do next: Parker said he would check with the public works director and project managers and that the city attorney would provide an update; the communications director will prepare public notices to inform businesses and customers about anticipated closures.
