August 8, 2022

To whom this may concern,

We are writing this letter to urge you to revoke the closure of Federal Hill/Atwells Avenue from Sutton Street to Bradford Street for Al Fresco Dining on the Hill. Atwells Avenue has been closed to all vehicle traffic Fridays and Saturdays (weather permitting) from 3:30 PM to 2:30 AM from May 1st, 2022 and is expected to end October 1st, 2022. While we understand the original intent for this closure was for restaurants and businesses to regain business and money after the impact COVID-19 with our governor not allowing indoor dining. As business owners on Federal Hill, we see this has created an overall issue for residents, businesses, restaurants and employees. For this we are appealing and asking for your attention and assistance in this matter. 

Throughout my twenty years owning a restaurant on Federal Hill, we have supported all residents, businesses and restaurants, especially the tight-knit community we have all established on Atwells Avenue. However, this closure has created serious problems for all involved and whom reside here. Complaints have skyrocketed since the closure of Atwells Avenue, tremendously affecting business, staff, customers and residents. Many restaurants are against this and don’t feel like they have a voice. Restaurants from Dean through Bradford Street have opposed it and the street is wide open with both lanes.

Furthermore, this restriction impacts methods of transportation, delivery services, parking (for employees and customers) our elderly clientele who cannot find adequate or handicap parking and overall safety of staff and business owners leaving with cash on-hand. The full closure of Atwells Avenue (Dean Street to Lily Street) is killing our business. Customers who have been loyal to us for several years are becoming aggravated and scared to park their cars far away and just not returning which greatly impacts our business sales. Reservations are being cancelled at alarming rates and many employees are even afraid to come into work knowing they cannot find a close parking spot and are scared returning to their vehicles with cash and fear of their cars being broken into. 

If your goal is to help local businesses, please understand these major concerns. We strongly urge you to consider this petition as we can all benefit better with Atwells Avenue being reopened as COVID restrictions have been lifted for over a year. Regardless of any documents you have signed, or payments you have made, we’d expect the FHCA and their committee to refund all businesses for any future closures on the hill.

Sincerely,

Francois Karam, Joseph Karam

Owner & Manager of Opa Restaurant

401-654-8586, 401-351-8282