RICHMOND, Va. (WRIC) — An agreement is reportedly in the works after an accidental sewage line break from Diamond District developers left a Richmond training facility without sewage for months.
RVA Performance Training is located on 2522 Hermitage Rd. in Richmond, just next door to the city’s upcoming Diamond District Project.
Companies that have played a key role in the development of this major project are Thalhimer, Dominion Energy and Whiting Turner Contracting Company.
While this project is projected to bolster Richmond’s economy and have a positive impact on the city, this hasn’t been the reality for one Richmonder and business owner of RVA Performance Training, Jake Rowell.
During the construction of development projects in April, powerlines were placed down, causing a sewage line that exists to be punctured. The construction site’s proximity to the RVA Performance Training caused the training facility to lose access to plumbing.
“Having plumbing is just a pretty integral part of any business, I would say,” Rowell told 8News during an interview on Wednesday, July 30. “But, yeah, we’re a service-based business where people are here for sometimes hours.”
According to Rowell, for the first few months, temporary porta-potties were provided to the gym by way of the property’s landlord to use while a solution was being worked on.
Although this provided temporary relief for a restroom, another issue still remained — showers.
“We’re a gym, people [are] here for hours at a time. We have to have it to be able to operate,” Rowell said. “One of the biggest things we’ve seen is folks having to quit because they can’t even take showers here anymore. They can’t work out in the morning, take a shower and then head to the office.”
During 8News’ interview with Rowell, one member from the training facility came in to notify him that the bathroom handle had broken on the newer porta-potties provided by Thalhimer and Whiting Turner.
While the situation had been challenging, Rowell said, “It’s not perfect, better than nothing.”
When 8News spoke with Rowell back in July, he said that he believed those responsible for damaging the line should be responsible for the issues.
The development of a project of this size has required efforts from multiple parties. Dominion Energy is also taking part in the development of the Diamond District with its solar array installation for CarMax Park.
A Thalhimer spokesperson told 8News that Dominion VA Power crews were responsible for the break in the sewage line. 8News reached out to Dominion in August, to which they responded with the following statement:
“We are aware of the situation. There are multiple parties involved, including the landowners and contractors. We have an ongoing dialog and are working toward an agreeable solution.”
Since the July interview, Rowell has told 8News that Jason Guillot — the Principal at Thalhimer — has been sympathetic to his current situation, and added that he appreciates the support from the community. However, Rowell also emphasized his frustration with the gym’s treatment in the situation.
“I feel like Richmond does, just in general, do a great job of supporting small business,” Rowell said. “The flip side of that, though — it has been super disappointing to see how, as a small business who’s been here for 18 years and has established, how carelessly I feel like we’ve been treated as this new development is rolling through.”
Rowell stated that although there’s been some revenue lost in the process, they will soldier on.
“There’s challenges with this, but we will persevere through,” he said.
8News has reached out to Thalhimer for an official statement on when all parties will sign off on a plan moving forward, but has not yet received a response.
This is a developing story, stay with 8News for more updates.
