Rochester business owner urges city council member to repair sidewalks
(ABC 6 News) – John Kruesel, owner of John Kruesel’s General Merchandise in Rochester, says damaged sidewalks near First Avenue and Third Street are an immediate public safety concern in the Historic District. Krusel sent a letter to Ward One City Council member Nick Miller, which is where the business is located. In the letter, Krusel […]
(ABC 6 News) – John Kruesel, owner of John Kruesel’s General Merchandise in Rochester, says damaged sidewalks near First Avenue and Third Street are an immediate public safety concern in the Historic District. Krusel sent a letter to Ward One City Council member Nick Miller, which is where the business is located. In the letter, Krusel said the sidewalks next to commercial property owned by Nysel, Inc. , which Krusel also owns, pose an “imminent danger to the public. ” The letter says the area is heavily used during Thursdays Downtown and other events. “This corner is one of the busiest in town with hundreds of people traversing this area during Thursdays Downtown along with multiple other public and private events during any given year that utilize this historic neighborhood space,” Krusel said in the letter. The letter says it is only a matter of time before someone is hurt in a trip-and-fall and says older adults and people with physical challenges are especially at risk. Krusel believes the city’s public works team is aware of the problem because of pink markings at the site. In the meantime, Krusel is asking the city to fix the most uneven spots right away by grinding or shaving the sidewalk and using concrete patching. The letter says anything less would leave an unnecessary risk of harm and possible litigation for the city and property owners. Krusel is asking for written assurances from the City Attorney’s Office that if someone is injured because of the sidewalk conditions, they would be indemnified and held harmless for damages and attorney’s fees. The letter ends by saying there is urgency and asks for an immediate reply. ABC 6 News has reached out to Council Member Nick Miller for his response, but has yet to hear back.