THE APEX TIMES
Richmond business owners ask city to fix drainage after flooding damages shop, inventory
Bethany and Jason Freeman, owners of Prosigns on Big Hill Avenue, told the city commission the flooding led to tens of thousands of dollars in lost inventory and left nearly $20,000 in damage to their building.
Business owners in Richmond said flooding tied to drainage problems damaged their property and wiped out inventory, and they asked city leaders to address what they described as recurring issues. Bethany and Jason Freeman, who operate Prosigns on Big Hill Avenue, spoke at a Richmond city commission meeting on Tuesday to raise concerns about how rainwater is handled in the area, according to WKYT.
The Freemans said the flooding resulted in significant financial losses tied to merchandise and supplies stored at their business. They reported losing tens of thousands of dollars in inventory, describing the impact as severe enough to disrupt operations after the water receded.
They also said the flooding caused direct damage to the building itself, reporting nearly $20,000 in repairs or related costs. In their remarks to the commission, the Freemans characterized the episode as preventable and urged the city to take action to reduce the likelihood of similar flooding in the future.
At the meeting, the owners called on city officials to examine drainage conditions and take steps to improve the system serving the Big Hill Avenue area. Their request focused on infrastructure and maintenance decisions that they said determine whether water is able to move away from businesses and avoid entering structures.
WKYT reported that the Freemans presented their losses and concerns to city commissioners as part of a broader effort to seek remedies through the city’s public process. City officials did not indicate in the report what specific changes would be made, or whether any timeline had been set for reviews, repairs, or inspections.
Local residents and business owners have increasingly pushed for more transparent and timely responses when weather-related issues affect commercial corridors, and the Freemans’ statements reflect a demand that the city treat drainage as a practical public safety and economic stability matter, not only an environmental concern.
Following the Freemans’ remarks, the next step for the issue will depend on how the city commission directs staff to study the drainage system and whether any resolution authorizes engineering evaluation, repairs, or enforcement of standards for stormwater management in the affected area.
Why It Matters
- The reported inventory and building losses show a direct economic impact on a local small business tied to stormwater and drainage performance.
- Infrastructure changes or drainage maintenance can affect not only property damage but also traffic safety and public order during heavy rain.
- City commission direction to staff can determine whether the issue moves into an engineering review, permitting, or budgeting cycle.
- The case highlights how weather events can test the city’s systems for preventing recurring flooding in commercial areas.
Key Facts
- Bethany and Jason Freeman, owners of Prosigns on Big Hill Avenue in Richmond, told the city commission about flooding damage.
- The flooding caused the Freemans to lose tens of thousands of dollars in inventory, they said.
- They also reported nearly $20,000 in damage to their building.
- The Freemans asked city officials to address drainage issues they believe contributed to the flooding.
- The comments were made during a Richmond city commission meeting on Tuesday.