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Petersburg shop owner upset by road closures: ‘They dug a bigger hole’

Posted at 7:29 PM, Dec 12, 2017
and last updated 2017-12-12 19:29:59-05

PETERSBURG, Va. --Kimberly Ann Calos loves Petersburg; the city where she not only lives but owns a business. But her frustration started when crews began digging up the street to repair a water leak, back in mid-November.

"This is ridiculous" she says, as the hole in front of her business continues to grow.

That leak was repaired but two others were discovered and repairs have been on again off again.

"I absolutely believe it has affected business," says Calos, who operated her business in its current location for about two years.

Kimberley Ann Calos

"Now I'm told that this weekend, which is two weeks before Christmas, that the road will not be open at all because they've dug an even bigger hole,”Calos said.

Her hours of business are only Friday through Sunday and she believes the road closed signs at both ends of the street give the appearance her shop is closed.

Calos says while the city has worked with her the past two weekends, it's just taken too long for the other two repairs to be completed.

"Develop a system where things are done in a caring and efficient manner, that if they don't have all the parts to start a job, which sometimes you don't know, that they plan and do repairs as quickly and expediently as possible,” she said.

We reached out to City Hall about the repair and they told CBS 6 that they found two additional leaks were found while repairing the original leak on Guarantee and Wythe.

“City forces are replacing 16” and 12” valves and a 16” by 12’ tee, and will be installing a fire hydrant at the corner of Guarantee Street and Wythe Street to provide additional fire protection.  Weather permitting, this project should be completed in two weeks. The City understands the inconvenience this work created but is committed to working with the businesses and residents of the area to find the best solution while the City completes the repairs.”

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