NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WTVF) — A Metro Nashville council member is stepping in to help the owner of a North Nashville restaurant in Salemtown after weeks of Google Fiber construction outside his business cost him thousands of dollars and drove away customers.
Alphonso Anderson, owner of Big Al's Deli, said the construction project dragged on far longer than the four days he was promised.
"All the neighbors are parked in this side, which I don't blame them because they're doing work on their side of the street. Also, on the side streets trucks and other neighbors are parked. How is someone supposed to come here?" Anderson said.
District 19 Council Member Jacob Kupin said Big Al's experience is not the first Google Fiber complaint he has heard.
"I get calls frequently that they have torn up a sidewalk or they left something unpaved, so when I saw Big Al plus Google Fiber it was important for me to reach out to see what I can do to help," Kupin said.
Kupin acknowledged Metro's enforcement options are limited.
"There are some policies on the book but I think more needs to be looked at," Kupin said.
But he said protecting small businesses is critical.
"So when you talk about property taxes. When you talk about distribution on the street it's so important to protect these small businesses because once they're gone you can't get them back," Kupin explained.
Kupin said he wants Anderson and other business owners facing similar challenges to know they do not have to navigate them alone, and urged anyone with problems to contact their council member.
"People like Big Al should be thrilled and energized with all the growth coming and not defeated that the city isn't working for them," Kupin said.
Google Fiber said last week it is working with N-DOT inspectors and has taken steps to limit the impact of construction, including closing only one side of the street at a time. The company said it expected to complete the work by Friday.
Google Fiber also said people can reach out to their 24/7 construction hotline at 1-877-454-6959 or visit gfiber.com/support for assistance.
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