THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1996, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Saturday, September 28, 1996 TAG: 9609280232
SECTION: LOCAL PAGE: B1 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY LINDA MCNATT, STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: SUFFOLK LENGTH: 86 lines
For years, Andrew B. ``Andy'' Damiani has been one of this city's biggest promoters.
He was mayor from 1982-86 and served on the City Council for more than 20 years. A founder of the local merchants' association, he's a past president and has been an active member for decades.
But what he considers deaf ears at City Hall caused Damiani last week to submit his resignation to the Downtown Suffolk Association.
``This has bothered me for several years,'' Damiani said. ``It is extremely discouraging for me. This city takes a challenge as criticism. There is no imagination, no vision. When they finish with downtown, all anybody will have to look at is blank walls and parked cars.''
Downtown merchants have dwindled from more than 80 businesses on two blocks of East Washington Street in 1955 to 14 today. In the Main Street business district, there are seven businesses left. In 1955, there were 17.
While there were 56 downtown buildings when Damiani first moved to Suffolk in 1958, there are now 27, including those slated to go as the construction on the city's $14 million courthouse complex continues.
Damiani, an active 75, said he will continue to support the city as much as he can, but he's tired of ``warmed-over conversations'' between city officials and the merchants' association.
``I've invested in this city because I always wanted to do my part,'' he said. ``But a lot of us have been very discouraged for years.''
Damiani has kept records documenting that the merchants' association - which includes voting members from the Suffolk Redevelopment and Housing Authority, the City Council and the city manager's office - has for years asked the city to consider a parking garage rather than to continue to tear down buildings for city parking.
``We asked them not to take parking off of Main Street; they did it,'' he said. ``We asked them not to take the attendants away from the city lots. Those people were good public relations. They gave directions, acted as ombudsmen. The city ignored us. Obviously, they don't communicate.''
In 1994, he said, he asked the city to consider forming a parking authority but never got an answer. That year, the association asked to meet with the architect selected to design the courthouse, but was never allowed to do so. Documentation of requests that Damiani says were ignored by the city fill a thick file folder in his downtown office in the mini-mall he opened on Washington Street in 1973.
The final blow, he said, came when he saw recent design changes in Norfolk's MacArthur Center. He said Norfolk officials had responded to citizens' concerns.
``I threw up my hands and said to myself, `They must have been reading my mind,' '' the Richmond native said. ``Downtowns are supposed to be compact; downtowns are meant for pedestrians. People interfacing with people.''
The courthouse design is still controversial among the remaining retail merchants. The design fails to allow for a setback, Damiani said. It doesn't even allow room for a modest fountain or a bench.
``How can you invite somebody to come downtown, browse around and meet you for lunch when there's no place to eat?''
Others in the Downtown Suffolk Association share Damiani's frustrations, said Eugene Denison, who owns Denison's, a women's clothing store on Main Street. Without Damiani, he said, the merchants' association is weakened by the loss of one of its best members.
``I believe the people in City Hall will breathe a sigh of relief,'' Denison said. ``It will do nothing but make them happy. I'm just disappointed that someone with Andy's background and enthusiasm has decided to move on.''
Bob Chisom, executive director of the Downtown Suffolk Association since 1993, said Friday that he shares some of Damiani's concerns.
``From a short-term perspective, I have the same frustrations,'' he said. ``I'm not surprised Andy has expressed his frustration about lack of progress from the city. I think Andy felt he had to make a statement.''
Officials in Suffolk's city manager's office could not be reached for comment Friday.
Mayor Thomas G. Underwood said he was sorry to hear that Damiani had resigned from the merchants' association.
``Andy's been active in this city for more than 30 years,'' he said. ``He has a lot of talent and ability. It will certainly be a loss to the organization.''
Underwood added, however, that he has recently been appointed to serve as the Council's representative on the association's board.
``I will try to change things as far as the Downtown Suffolk Association is concerned,'' he said. ``I would assume that now, whatever questions they have, they will get answers.'' ILLUSTRATION: Color photo
Andrew B. Damiani was mayor from 1982-86.
KEYWORDS: PROFILE by CNB