Steamhouse Lounge and other businesses suffer from water problems

ATLANTA — Sam Weyman looked the part all week. His sarcasm echoed outside his restaurant, the Steamhouse Lounge. For nearly a week, the restaurant weathered water damage caused by a broken water main at 11th Street and W. Peachtree Street.

Beyond the devastation and destruction, Weyman is now monitoring his bottom line.

“I guess we lost about $60,000,” Weyman said. “It’s been hard. We’ve been closed since Friday evening.”

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Midtown Alliance said it’s still too early to know the full financial impact of Midtown’s water main break. Some businesses were able to operate with minimal disruption, but others, like the 11th Street Pub, were in the direct line of sight of the water main break. The owner of this restaurant said he would rely heavily on insurance to recoup some of his restaurant’s costs. Millions of gallons of gushing water shattered windows Friday night, caused thousands of dollars in damage and closed the bar indefinitely.

Another major water main break occurred earlier Friday around Joseph E. Boone Boulevard and JP Brawley Parkway. The two major water events caused the city to impose a boil water advisory for several days.

Atlanta Mayor Andre Dickens said Invest Atlanta launched a $5 million small business recovery fund to help affected businesses. Businesses should contact the city to coordinate obtaining a portion of the fund.

“The water could have entered their business or had a direct impact on their operations,” Dickens said. “These businesses are being visited right now.

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Al Wiggins, Jr., commissioner of the Atlanta Department of Watershed Management, could not give a specific timetable for when the road will reopen in Midtown, but he warned residents and business owners that the city had learned from the last few days.

“I think we’re a lot better prepared than we’ve been in the past, with the devices we’re installing and some inspections going on,” Wiggins said. “Our residents should not be concerned at all. This is a unique set of circumstances.

Although repairs are complete in Midtown, it may still take several hours for the water to become drinkable and the road to be open again. Until then, Weyman will have to wait for conditions to improve for customers to return to his establishment.

“I have water, but no one can come here,” Weyman said.