City Council candidate Andrew Cohen running to replace term limited Councilman Oliver Koppell was spotted on Riverdale Avenue talking with the head of the South Riverdale Merchants Association. Cohen who is on Community Board # 8 as the boards Aging Chair listened as Mario owner of Salvatore's of Soho and Yo Burger told candidate Cohen the problems that merchants not only on Riverdale Avenue, but in general that all merchants have with the city. The lack of help to small businesses when they try to open, the problem of over enforcement at times by the city, and when problems with the city occur such as the soon to be done water main replacement in the area the lack of concern by city agencies to the small businesses.
Riverdale Avenue was dug up several years ago by Con Edison for placement of the M29 high voltage power line to Manhattan, and the small businesses are only now recovering from the disruption that Con Edison caused. Several stores went out of business, but with understanding landlords many of the empty stores reopened and are doing well. A new luxury building with very expensive prices has gone up across from Salvatore's and Yo Burger with another planned right next door. Other new luxury buildings have gone up in the area giving fears that this neighborhood shopping area may face the same problems as Johnson Avenue.
Left - I caught City Council candidate Andrew Cohen on Riverdale Avenue listening to the concerns of the head of the Riverdale Avenue Merchants Association who owns Yo Burger and Salvatore's of Soho where the two were talking.
Right - Candidate Cohen and Mario pose for the photo. You can see the new building in the foreground behind Cohen.
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