THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1996, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Monday, February 5, 1996 TAG: 9602050029
SECTION: LOCAL PAGE: B1 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY TERRI WILLIAMS
DATELINE: SUFFOLK LENGTH: Medium: 97 lines
William E. Beamon Jr. was taught as a boy that ownership is a reward of self-reliance.
``How much respect can you have if you don't own anything?'' Beamon matter-of-factly asks.
It is that belief that drives Beamon in his scrappy fight against Suffolk City Hall to save his business, Hot Spot Records and Tapes. He is the lone holdout among a string of mostly black businesses that were forced to move from the 100 block of E. Washington St. to make way for the $14 million Suffolk courts complex.
Now, for the fifth time, Beamon faces the possibility of losing his business when he goes to Circuit Court Tuesday for a condemnation hearing.
The city is asking the court to give it possession of Beamon's property. City officials also have served notice that they are serious: If they lose, the decision will be appealed to the Virginia Supreme Court.
Meanwhile, Beamon's lawyer, Joseph T. Waldo, argues that the condemnations on East Washington Street were ``arbitrary and capricious'' because some businesses were skipped over to get to his client's. He also contends that city officials failed to offer Beamon fair market value.
The city's first offer for Beamon's property was $20,400; its last was $71,800.
Beamon's struggle has been a long one, beginning a year ago when the city acquired the first of a dozen properties in the path of the new courthouse. Beamon balked, and since the fall, his lawsuit has been before the court four times.
And he vows to persevere until the end.
``This is all about principle,'' he said. ``I believe the city is covering things up. I just want the truth.''
Last November, Circuit Court Judge Rodham T. Delk ruled that the city overstepped its condemnation powers in Beamon's case. Rather than ``quick take'' the property with its powers of eminent domain, Delk ruled, the city must hold a condemnation hearing. However, the city now argues ``there is a public necessity'' that requires immediate possession of the property. City officials also point out that the City Council passed a resolution last April permitting the condemnation.
``We just want to build the courthouse,'' said Assistant City Attorney Kay Rudiger. City officials are eager to meet their schedule and begin construction of the complex by May.
Beamon's battle doesn't end at the city limits.
He has filed a discrimination complaint with the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development on behalf of himself and a dozen other tenants who rented apartments in buildings that have since been acquired by the city. Beamon - who lives in an apartment above his shop - contends that he and the other tenants should have received relocation expenses.
Harry Staller, secretary's representative with HUD's Fair Housing Division in Philadelphia, said the complaint is being evaluated to determine whether an investigation is warranted.
City officials dispute that Beamon and the former tenants have a case.
Dinesh V. Tiwari, executive director of the Suffolk Parks Department, which is overseeing the courthouse project, said the city is not required to reimburse renters because the complex will not be financed with federal money.
The council could have allocated funds for the renters, but, Tiwari said, it chose to concentrate on the business owners. The businesses were offered 93 percent of the assessed value of their properties plus 10 percent in relocation costs.
The council's ``focus was for the businesses,'' said Tiwari. ``They were very sensitive to their needs.''
Beamon says he is inspired by principles he learned from his father.
Beamon grew up in Portsmouth, where his father operated groceries and real estate businesses while working full-time as an aircraft mechanic for the Naval Air Station in Norfolk. His father and mother died shortly before the court battle began.
Beamon's father taught him that if he had self-discipline, worked hard and believed in himself, ``you'll accomplish in life,'' said Beamon.
In 1981, Beamon and his father operated a record shop in Portsmouth's London Plaza. But they wanted to own their own shop. So in 1987, Beamon found the Suffolk site and spent more than $85,000 to start the business, he said.
The shops sells not only records but also men's clothing and accessories.
Recently, when a customer inquired about buying a suit on the layaway plan, Beamon replied jokingly: ``Well, I hope I'm around that long.'' ILLUSTRATION: JOHN H. SHEALLY II/ The Virginian-Pilot
The new City Hall would join the Suffolk skyline just beyond the
farthest multistory building (shown above on East Washington
Street). William Beamon will be in court Tuesday to fight the
possibility of losing his business.
Color photo by JOHN H. SHEALLY II /The Virginian-Pilot
Hot Spot Records is aptly named. Suffolk businessman William Beamon
says fighting to keep his East Washington Street shop from being
razed is a matter of principle.
by CNB