Portion of Fifth Avenue in downtown Ann Arbor to close; business owner worries about impact

“We anticipate loss. We anticipate going into the red,” Ramlawi said while sitting in the patio area outside his restaurant as the day’s lunch rush was coming to a lull. “When you lose 20 to 30 percent of your business, you lose 40 to 60 percent of your profits.”

Robert Snyder, president of the South University Neighborhood Association, said he was surprised when he recently learned of the upcoming road closure.

“The council knowing is not anywhere near (the same as) the public knowing,” Snyder said. “City hall is not very good at getting information out - they mostly have to do damage control.”

Business owners along South Fifth Avenue worry about the impact of the road closure.

Melanie Maxwell | AnnArbor.com

Ramlawi says he has known about the plan to close a portion of South Fifth Avenue for about six months, but “there has not been an official statement” made concerning the closure.

“It hasn’t been very effectively communicated,” he said.

Susan Pollay, executive director of the Ann Arbor Downtown Development Authority, said "a lot of planning has been done to help lessen the impact of the road closure on businesses and services, such as the nearby restaurants and the Ann Arbor District Library."

Pollay said the aim is to reopen the road in "early fall 2011."

"It's thinking about all of the ways we, as a community, use that block and accommodating those uses," Pollay said.

Pollay added the DDA has been "talking to (affected business owners) from the beginning," and two signs have been posted on Fifth Avenue to let the public know about the upcoming road closure.

"We're very concerned about them, very aware of the fragility of these businesses," she said. "We've been meeting with them. ... We're in their restaurants all the time."

Ann Arbor Transportation Authority buses will also be impacted by the closure. Three bus boarding locations at the Blake Transit Center will be relocated Wednesday. As a result, "routes 1, 15 and 18 will board passengers along the west side of Fourth Avenue just north of William Street next to the Fourth and William parking structure," the AATA said in a release.

Motorists will no longer be able to access parking and post office drop boxes on the east side of the Federal Building at Fifth Avenue and Liberty Street, but several temporary 10-minute parking spaces are being added along Liberty Street in front of the building, said Pat Cawley, senior project manager with the city's project management unit. Also, mail drop boxes will be added at Liberty Street and Fifth Avenue, he said.

Snyder said he's concerned about how the road closure could impact Jerusalem Garden and neighboring business Earthen Jar. Snyder said he “doesn’t buy” the argument that because the two businesses are “walk-up” businesses, they won’t be adversely effected.

“Don’t say it won’t hurt these businesses because nobody drives to them. ... If that’s what you believe then put your money where your mouth is and make these businesses whole,” Snyder said. “I don’t think anyone at city hall would be daring enough to do that.”

Brahmoin Sethi said she and her parents, Push Sethi and Guchi Sethi, owners of Earthen Jar, aren't worried about the road closure.

"We're just fine by it because it has to happen," Sethi said. She said it's possible business could be affected, but "we're not really concerned. I think people will adjust just as well as we do."

To provide more seating and increase the visibility of the two businesses, Pollay said a "platform dining area" will be built in the closed portion of the road.

"It will feel like an extension of the sidewalk, into the street," Pollay said. "My anticipation is that we will begin work on it next week."

Pollay said signs will also be posted to let the public know the businesses are open during the road closure.

Ramlawi said it’s the duration of the road closure that has him most worried.

“You work so hard to build your business, then something like this happens and it’s out of your control,” Ramlawi said. “We are going to be isolated from foot traffic, from car traffic.”

Heather Lockwood is a reporter for AnnArbor.com. Reach her at heatherlockwood@annarbor.com or 734-623-2536. You can also follow her on Twitter.