Downtown merchants tell council awning and scaffolding are hurting foot traffic and posing hazards

At the start of the May 20 Larksburg City Council meeting, business owners and residents urged the council to act on a months-long encroachment and scaffolding problem in the downtown core.

Brenda Macauen, a 40-year resident, said she has repeatedly seen pedestrians—citing an instance where a blind man struggled to pass—put at risk by plywood and temporary construction work at a downtown storefront that has been in place since November. She said residents are worried as summer events approach.

Alex Berisov, owner of Folios on Magnolia Boulevard, told the council that the scaffolding and a blue awning have blocked sightlines and storefront visibility for months, diminishing foot traffic and harming merchants’ revenues. He asked whether an encroachment permit had been issued, why the structure has not been replaced with a less obtrusive canvas awning and urged the council to put the matter on a future agenda.

Sarah Harrison, owner of Excalance (483 Magnolia Boulevard), said the obstruction has significantly reduced walk-in customers for a storefront dependent on foot traffic and that the situation is costing her business. She described being told by different departments to contact planning, building or the property owner and said she needed the city’s help clarifying responsibility and accelerating compliance.

Mayor Andre and staff said they could not formally respond during public comment but pledged staff follow-up and to continue conversations with the property owner and planning department. The city manager later reminded the public that code enforcements follow defined notice and appeal steps and encouraged merchants to pursue formal channels while staff works on solutions.

What residents want: Downtown merchants asked the council to (1) determine whether an encroachment or building permit is required, (2) require the property owner to correct the unsafe condition promptly and (3) consider options for temporary signage or aesthetic mitigation to avoid hurting nearby businesses during repair work.

What the council said: Staff pledged to reach back to the merchants and continue conversations with the property owner; no formal enforcement action was taken at the meeting, but the issue was noted for follow-up.