LAFAYETTE – In the spirit of Black Friday and the season upon us, David Kurtz had an idea about the yellow tubes of sand he’s had to pull from the front door each day he opens One Earth Gallery and Gifts since the city installed new sidewalks in his block of Main Street.
“Candy canes,” Kurtz said. “I’m thinking that at least we should make them look like candy canes.”
For now, the sandbags are purely a matter of function, protecting the building Kurtz has had at 1022 Main St. since 1989. Three times since August, including on Saturday, Kurtz said water has come through the shop’s front door, seeping into carpet and leaving debris. Until this summer, Kurtz said, the building his business shares with Randy Ross Custom Framing hadn’t taken a drop of water.
Other property owners along Main Street are telling similar stories as the city puts the wraps on a streetscape project that cost the city and businesses $5.5 million. The two-year project – featuring plaza-like corners, space for outdoor seating at some restaurants, in-laid brick pavers, new lighting and public art – ended this fall.
“After the first time, back in August, I think the city was crossing its fingers, hoping it was a one-time thing,” Kurtz said. “Now, guess what? We’ve got a real problem.”
Next week, city officials plan to meet with engineers to figure out why storefronts are flooding and what can be done about it, Dennis Carson, Lafayette’s economic development director, said when asked about the situation.
The city has delivered sandbags. And it has paid at least one business to clean up a mess after a rain earlier this month.