[02/27/03]Some downtown merchants say work on Washington Street is causing problems with their buildings in addition to putting a damper on business.

The worst damage was at The Biscuit Company, which closed a week ago today after mud and water seeped through the kitchen wall during heavy rains. The restaurant is about 15 feet below street level.

Sandy Pearman, owner of the popular restaurant and bar at 1100 Washington St., said the extent of damage hasn’t been established, but that water began leaking in after the curbing on Washington Street was removed as part of the city-funded makeover of downtown.

“We do have some damage, but we are opening the bar. We just can’t serve any food right now,” Pearman said.

Phyllis Neumann, owner of Synchronicity Wellness Studio, 1103 Washington St., said she too had a problem with flooding in her business after a sewer line that runs under the street became clogged and backed up.

“I’ve been cleaning this up for three weeks,” Neumann said.

City officials said that the obstruction was caused by a broken piece of the 100-year-old, clay sewer line that fell in. Neumann said she thinks that, and a crack in the concrete floor at her business were caused by the vibrations from the work.

The $2.6 million project began in the 1100 and 1200 blocks of Washington and will move south through five other blocks. Work includes tearing out the old asphalt and bricks, laying new bricks and making the 1300 and 1400 blocks two-way again.

“This is going to be a problem from here on out,” said James “Bubba” Rainer, head of the city’s public works division. “Any time you open up work in an area as old as this there’s going to be problems.”

Bobby Doyle, co-owner of Burger Village, 1220 Washington St., agrees. He said that water started leaking through the canopy shortly after work began. “I’m getting quite a bit of water out there every time it rains,” Doyle said.

Chris Tillotson, owner of Griz Old Tyme Photography, 1100 Washington St., upstairs from the Biscuit Company, said he hasn’t noticed any problems with his shop.

Doyle and other business owners also say business is down. Large signs direct pedestrians in the area and sidewalks remain open, but the two blocks are closed to vehicles.

During a preconstruction meeting with business owners, representatives of Hemphill Construction Co. of Florence warned problems such as cracks and broken windows could be a problem.

Mayor Laurence Leyens, who owns a building in the 1200 block of Washington, said he has had problems with his basement leaking.

“Even my building is having problems,” Leyens said.

During the previous, federally financed urban renewal in the 1970s, Washington Street was made one-way and the 1300 and 1400 blocks were sectioned off as a downtown pedestrian mall. The project was considered a failure by many, and the current and previous administrations have worked to return the street to its former configuration.

Funding is coming from a $17.5 million bond issue authorized by the administration after taking office in 2001.