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THE BRADENTON HERALD

Sunday, October 22, 1995 Section: Local Edition: Final Page: L1   BUSINESSES FROWN ON BRIDGE CLOSURE Kevin McDonald, Herald Staff Writer Owners of restaurants, food stores and other businesses near the Cortez Bridge are crossing their fingers while the bridge is closed this month for repairs. ``It's like a ghost town coming from Cortez Road all the way to the bridge,'' said Bob Crowe, general manager and vice president of the Seafood Shack, 4110 127th St. W. ``We are taking a pounding big time.''

The pounding may continue into November. Earlier this month, Florida Department of Transportation (DOT) officials found lead paint and unexpected structural damage to the bridge. Cortez Bridge was scheduled for intermittent lane closings from September to February, including complete closure this month. The contractor, PCL Civil Constructors of Coral Springs, is replacing the drawbridge's mechanical and electrical parts and the bridge-tender station. Now that other problems have been discovered, the Department of Transportation is unsure how much longer the 40-year-old bridge will be closed. But business owners want some answers. Crowe said that in less than three weeks, the Seafood Shack has lost at least half of its customers. Some island customers call to make reservations not knowing that they can't cross the bridge, he said. After Crowe tells them, many change their minds, saying they do not want to take the long detour up Manatee Avenue West to 75th Street and then back down Cortez Road. ``I have a lot of older customers who are used to a quick trip,'' Crowe said. ``They don't want to make the longer trip.'' Crowe said the restaurant runs boat shuttles four times a day to pick up employees who live in Bradenton Beach. And that has been a hassle at times because some employees work two shifts, he said. From his business, Crowe has a good view of the bridge. He said with only a few workers on the structure on any given day, there's no telling how long it will take for it to reopen. On the far side of the bridge from the Seafood Shack is the Beach House restaurant, 200 Gulf Drive N., Bradenton Beach, which is using a 20 percent discount on lunches and dinners to attract customers. The discount ends Nov. 1, the day the bridge was expected to reopen. Beach House general manager Alan O' Maley, said he has seen a 20 percent drop in sales, but remains optimistic. ``We are running different ads to keep people coming,'' O'Maley said. ``It (the bridge closure) makes it a little difficult.'' Lou Nassar, owner of Cortez Market, 12203 Cortez Road, said he also has suffered a drop in business. If the bridge is closed into November, Nassar said he may have to take out loans to pay some of his bills. ``I lost all of my beach customers and traffic,'' Nassar said. ``They should close the bridge at night and leave it open during the daytime.'' Nassar said the contractors should make the crews work longer hours or hire more people. Like Crowe, Nassar feared that the bridge could be closed for a longer period if a hurricane or tropical storm blows through the area. Even once the bridge is reopened, it will be one lane only until February. Mary Ellen Maurer, project administrator for DOT in Sarasota, said she understands the concerns of the business community. ``We'll have the bridge open as soon as possible,'' Maurer said. ``The contractor is working on other systems.'' The Cortez Bridge originally wore a coat of lead paint, but that was stripped 15 years ago. However, Maurer said officials did not know additional lead paint was on various connection areas, the stringers and a connection for the main girders. Unlike business owners, some residents are not complaining. Those living near the bridge said they do not miss car horns blowing or tires screeching. ``It has been a lot quieter,'' said Rick Ortwein, 4428 124th St. Court W. ``With the bridge open, traffic is really bad, especially during tourist season.'' Another resident expressed similar sentiments. Laura Gray, 4512 124th St. Court W., said although she realizes some businesses are feeling the pinch, she and many others find it easier to access Cortez Road. ``We can get out onto Cortez Road,'' Gray said. ``You can ride your bike across Cortez Road.'' Goran Dahlskog of Sweden, who is living at 549 General Har ris St., Longboat Key, for the winter months said the closure adds another 15 to 20 minutes to get into town. Luckily, he said, he's retired and doesn't have to battle the traffic during rush hour. ``It's a big inconvenience,'' Dahlskog said. ``For people who work, it is not good.'' Gray said with hurricane season still in effect, a storm could cause evacuation problems. But representatives of the bridge's contractor said the bridge would open one lane if a major stormed approached. Hurricane season ends Nov. 30.

Illustration: Color photo/Yee: Bob Crowe of the Seafood Shack said business has dropped by half.

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