RICHMOND, Va. -- Richmond 2015 is less than 100 days away from one of the biggest events ever to come to Central Virginia, the UCI Cycling World Championships. While thousands of tourists and cycling fans are expected to descend upon the River City, many local businesses are worried their shops will be negatively impacted.
Several main roads -- Broad Street, Main Street, and Monument Avenue -- will close for periods of time during the race.
Tuesday night nearly 100 business owners gathered at the Richmond Main Library to voice frustrations with race organizers. They wanted to know when specific roads will be closed, so they could tell employees when to get to work and when to plan for deliveries.
The event was partially organized by Greg Johnson, owner of Citizen restaurant in the heart of downtown.
Johnson said the collegiate National Championships, held in 2014, was not the economic boost that he was promised.
"My business was down 50 percent," Johnson said.
Johnson said some businesses, like Pants Plus on Broad, have already said they will close for the week out of fear no customers will come.
Lee Kallman with Richmond 2015, the local group organizing the race, stressed patience to business owners. He said more information, including a transportation plan, will be released in July.
Until then businesses should develop a plan which perhaps includes adjusting delivery times and employee start times.
"If you normally come in at 10 o'clock and the race starts at 10 o'clock that means the roads will close around 9; you want to come in a little bit earlier," Kallman said.
After Tuesdays meeting some businesses still wanted answers.
Martina James with Senior Connections had questions about bus routes. After all, she said, some of the most vulnerable people in our area go to her business for food. She wondered if the roads would even be accessible.
"It's frustrating for organizations like ours," James said. "Not everybody is planning their lives around this."
Large employers, like State Government and VCU Hospital, have set up websites to help educate employees.
Richmond City Hall officials came under fire after it was discovered some employees, specifically 311 call center workers, would be working off site after the mayor declared the downtown would be open for business. Officials clarified Tuesday that the move was not because of traffic concerns, but because the move will help streamline communication.
This statement was released by Press Secretary Mike Wallace.
During the upcoming bicycle races, the majority of City departments will be handing normal day-to-day City business and access to City government will continue, including access to the 730 Building where the 3-1-1 Call Center is presently located. Many city workers will report downtown daily for business, including 3-1-1 Call Center workers that will continue to report to the 730 Building.
The City issued a Request for Proposals for a call center operation to proactively explore options for establishing a redundant call center site to ensure excellence in customer service. The City's Call Center will be a central point of information and communication for residents and the influx of visitors during the World Championships. Expanded call center staffing, hours and services are being planned to support the information needs, and this expansion requires a degree of planning to ensure the City maintains a high level of service.
