by J. Brooks Terry
Staff Writer
The Super Bowl is rapidly approaching and Wednesday at Downtown Vision, Inc.’s merchant meeting, area business owners wondered how the big game might help or hurt them.
“How will I get to work?” or “Is it too late to lease my space?” some asked. “Can I still get deliveries,” said others. And finally, just about everyone present wanted to know what kind of business they could expect if they were located outside of the more popular and highly marketed commercial areas such as the NFL SuperFest and Bay Street Town Center.
London Bridge Pub owner Virginia Readion was among the most vocal at the meeting.
“Like the rest of you, this is my first Super Bowl,” she said. “We know there will be a ton of people down here, but are steps being taken to get those people to businesses located on the fringe of where all the activities have been planned?”
Hemming Plaza Jewelers owner Juan Gonzalez said he was concerned people would be unwilling or unable to shop at his Hogan Street store if traffic patterns prove difficult to navigate.
“I just want to be sure people will be able to get to my store,” he said.
Promising information as it becomes available, DVI executive director Terry Lorince and Super Bowl Host Committee Special Events director Nikki Epley attempted to answer questions such as what’s required to sell liquor on the sidewalk.
“That’s one of the main reasons we asked you here today,” said Lorince. “We need to know what your concerns are so that we can work toward getting the answers you need.”
Lorince told group of approximately 20 that DVI will, “serve as the lead communicator with downtown businesses.”
“We will relay information to you regarding parking and transportation, street closures and events open to the public,” she said. “In order to do that, we need to know the best way to communicate with you.”
Lorince asked the business owners to provide fax numbers and e-mail addresses so that the right information can get to right people.
Epley added information on the Host Committee’s website was also regularly updated with information regarding plans for downtown.