Bridge closing hasn't affected businesses

Date: 6/6/2012

June 6, 2012

By G. Michael Dobbs

news@thereminder.com

CHICOPEE — A little more than a week after the closing of the Davitt Bridge, it appears that customers are finding alternative ways to reach their favorite downtown businesses.

Gail Sherman, president of the Chicopee Chamber of Commerce, told Reminder Publications that what she heard so far was positive.

"It [the bridge closing] really hasn't made much difference," she said. "Customers are still getting down here."

The Davitt Bridge closed on May 21 for demolition and reconstruction. The Massachusetts Department of Transportation (MassDOT) has estimated the span will not be completed for two years.

Jonathan Evans, owner of the Herbarium, said the bridge closing is "a blessing in disguise; it has raised the merchants' awareness of the importance of downtown. The bridge closing is a minor inconvenience. There are so many other routes to come in. In a few weeks, you won't even realize that the bridge is closed."

Sherman said MassDOT paid for an extra police duty to direct traffic at both ends of Interstate 391 during the first week of the closing. The traffic light on Center Street has also been adjusted, she added, to accommodate for additional traffic.

She said that City Engineer Steven J. Frederick reported the city would be considering some lane changes on Center and Chicopee streets if he feels that would help traffic exiting the ramps. A lane change would give motorists only one lane to watch for oncoming traffic versus two.

The Chamber is part of a coalition of downtown businesses raising money for an on-going marketing effort, "Easy to Enter Chicopee Center," for the downtown businesses. So far, television and newspaper ads have been purchased alerting area residents that coming to downtown Chicopee is not a problem.

Sherman said that Chicopee Savings Bank has pledged to match donations made by other businesses up to $20,000. To date, she noted that about 12 businesses have contributed about $10,000 for the marketing campaign. Ideally, she would like to run the ads for the next year. William Wagner, president of Chicopee Savings Bank, is sending a fund-raising letter to encourage more businesses to contribute to the fund.

Part of the campaign is www.easytoenterchicopeecenter.com, which has a map of access routes and a list of businesses. Sherman said that residents should check it regularly for updates.