05/17/2023
This post goes out to the residents of Genoa. Hey, neighbors. A couple days ago, The City of Genoa sent a mailer that looked like this. For many of our neighbors, this was the first they had heard of the subjected plans to close South Emmett Street permanently, even though the plans were posted on the Cityβs website and page in March. Since that time, several business owners have voiced our opinions against this closure, and I have voiced my concerns for the families that live directly south of this intersection.
Long story short, I know sugar coating when I see it. The verbiage on this mailer reads like the downtown businesses are all for the closure of this section of the street, and that is simply not the case. Many of us rely on the parking spaces that will be unnecessarily removed by this βSquareβ which will only be useful for a short portion of each year. Several business owners have stated that this closure would hinder their ability to maintain business as usual in their current locations. Some may even be forced to endure the cost of moving and/or close.
Since we incorporated in 2015, we have installed two commercial kitchens. We were devastated by the polar vortex that destroyed our first commercial kitchen. Shortly after that, we moved to Genoa and installed a second commercial kitchen in our current space. Within a few months, we were faced with COVID shutdowns. Now, this. We persevered through all of that to be looked in the eye and told βyou will lose parking spaces and there will be no replacements.β
The goal of this post is to clarify the current state of things so that citizens are not misled. Please talk to the downtown businesses that you frequent and rely on; the businesses who would be directly impacted by this closure, namely, the businesses that are located in the downtown district where Main Street is closed off for Genoa Days. Be sure to get their feedback and keep that in mind if you intend to complete the survey. I call on the City of Genoa to look out for the best interests of businesses that have already invested their time and money in downtown Genoa, and have already planted roots here. In addition, I call on the City of Genoa to strongly consider feedback from their constituents in regards to closing a street that is used regularly by the residents who live directly south of West Main Street and South Emmett Street.
Thank you,
Jennifer Drendel
Sugar on Top Bake Shop