‘ We need to find ways to communicate and be business friendly…’

‘ We need to find ways to communicate and be business friendly…’

Frustrations abound for West Memphis startup entrepreneurs

news@theeveningtimes.com

Business is brisk at the all new Grady’s Garage on Hwy. 77 in West Memphis.

In the building most would remember as a tool and machine rental place an all new vehicle repair place has opened, but not without a rocky road to meeting city standards for parking.

Robert Cupples is the new entrepreneur. He has experience doing mechanical work for others but the new West Memphis business is his first step out on his own. So to get ready to open he made a phone call to City Hall to ask what was required. He made a list and punched it out.

“I called City Hall and asked them all what I needed to do, said Cupples. “When I called I was told I needed parking lined and a handicapped spot,” said Cupples. “So, I did that on the concrete out there and thought that was good enough.”

But it wasn’t and when it came time for an occupancy permit inspection he found out the whole front lot needed to be paved.

Cupples asked the city to give him 90 days to meet the previously unknown expectation and they granted the exception. He moved in and quickly excavated a gravel area in the middle of his lot and awaits asphalt work any day.

“There is nothing I can do about it,” said Cupples. “I was going to do it eventually, but I’ve got to do it now.”

Cupples looks forward to getting the surprise requirement behind him and going all out with a Chamber of Commerce ribbon cutting grand opening when everything meets city standards.

Councilman Wayne Croom met with Cupples and landlord Cory Bryant and said there is nothing that can be done but wanted to share the story in hopes to pave the road to higher standards of communication and lower burdens on businesses from the planning and development office.

“In this day and age, we should have these building standards available online, available in handout form.

And with complete answers on the phone inquiries,” said Croom. “I hear too many stories about people being confused after they talk to P& D (Planning and Development). We need to find ways to communicate and be business friendly, user friendly.”

Croom feels high standards for new commercial property owners discourages entrepreneurship in the city and ultimately the city of West Memphis itself.

“Let’s fill these empty buildings and bring some tax revenue into the city,” said Croom.

Councilman James Holt scratched his head about the controversy over paved parking and gravel roads in recent article in the Times and offered his view after the last city council meeting.

“Those days are gone,” said Holt. “Gravel is for horse and buggy days. That’s the wrong way. Nobody wants to go backwards. West Memphis should be looking forward.

Maybe some haven’t noticed, but pavement has been quite the thing for a while.”

Cory Bryant, who owns the building, added to a thread on the topic of burdensome business regulations on social media Tuesday evening after an editorial on the topic ran in the paper. According to Bryant the 90 day grace period to hard surface the

whole lot was a velvet covered hammer.

“I own the building on Highway 77 that was referred to in an article,” said Bryant. “It is irritating that I spent over $30,000 gutting and upgrading a building to make it more attractive and tenant friendly, and then even though I have concrete parking, am told I have 90 days to ‘hard surface’ the entire lot or my tenant’s utilities will be turned off until the work is completed.”

Bryant appreciated the visit from Croom and the interest in making it easier for new upstarts but he has made up his mind about one thing.

“I appreciate Mr. Croom stopping by, but until things change, I’ll invest in other areas,” said Bryant.

As for the new young entrepreneur, he is proud of his upstart and wants the pretty picture in the paper.

“Can you come back after its all paved and looking really nice?” said Cupples.

By John Rech