NEW KENSINGTON — Several business owners in the Parnassus section of the city want people to know that their doors still are open, despite reports that PennDOT needs to use pieces of their properties for an intersection redesign.
Company officials with Club Fitness 2000, CVS, Valley Seat Cover and G&L Motors said their businesses were negatively impacted by the news that PennDOT planned to acquire portions of their properties.
PennDOT will be converting the Parnassus Triangle into a more traditional intersection, with the roads intersecting at closer to 90-degree angles. Construction is expected to begin March 1.
Valerie Peterson, PennDOT spokeswoman in Westmore-land County, said all or part of 26 properties need to be acquired for the project. The property owners are in different stages of the acquisition process.
“It's just been constant,” G&L owner Gary Fedon said about the rumors that his business has closed or will close because of the traffic construction.
Fedon said he is negotiating with PennDOT about the sliver of his property along Freeport Street needed for construction.
There is a possibility the business might have to move, but regardless, it will remain open, he said. “There are a lot of unknowns.”
Dan Frizzi, CVS assistant manager, said numerous customers have asked management if the business will be closing.
“Our business is not going to close,” he said.
Frizzi said it appears that PennDOT will only have to take a portion of the planted area on the edge of the store's parking lot.
The business will remain open during construction, he said.
Rob Rusiewicz, Club Fitness 2000 part-owner, said many of his patrons have been calling in an outrage because they believed the gym was closing.
“People aren't going to lose money on their memberships,” he said. “We are still open for business. We guarantee all of our sales.”
Rusiewicz said that PennDOT guaranteed him the gym could remain open until April 1, possibly longer.
At some point, PennDOT will have to tear down the building.
Rusiewicz said he is exploring options for keeping the gym open at a different location.
The gym will offer refunds on memberships if it is forced to close.
Jim Ryba, Valley Seat Cover owner, said there's no telling how much the news of PennDOT's plans affected his business.
But one thing is clear, he said: his business is not closing. Ryba said he is negotiating with PennDOT about his property.
