The party is over
October 20, 2009 by Al Harris
Carytown will be oddly quiet Dec. 31.
For the past three years, tens of thousands of revelers crowded the street to celebrate the New Year — but no more.
“We don’t have the financial resources to go forward with the event,” said Thom Suddeth, president of the Carytown Merchants Association and owner of the Road Runner Running Store. “We’ve lost $50,000 in the last three years.”
Suddeth said the largest expense is security, the level of which is ordained by the city and the police department. Last year the city upped the amount of security required.
“The event had grown each year,” said Suddeth. “You never knew how many people would show up, so the police department wants to make sure they are covered.”
Suddeth said that last year’s security bill was about $50,000 and that last year’s event put the CMA in the hole $24,000. A $2 suggested donation did not raise enough to offset the increasing costs of the event.
Al Harris is a BizSense reporter. Please send news tips to Al@richmondbizsense.com.
Disappointing, one of our city’s great new traditions axed because of security expenses. Come on Mayor Jones, I think the city should work the merchants association a little on this, there has to be a solution.
I agree. It’s important for everyone to be safe, but there has to be some leeway for such a unique and defining event. It’d be a tragedy if nothing is done to save it.