Mortuori withdraws request to close Spruce Street
VINTON–After discussion at the Town Council work session on July 20, New York Pizza manager Tony Mortuori withdrew his request to close and vacate a portion of Spruce Street.
Because of opposition from Vinton residents, Mortuori decided against the project to vacate the portion of Spruce Street between Hardy Road and Old Virginia Avenue.
“The whole thing had everyone upset. If I have to get even one person upset, it’s not worth doing,” Mortuori said. “I’ve been here for 27 years, and I don’t want to turn anyone against me.”
His original plan involved buying the former Tires For Less building and making that building, three houses on Spruce Street which he owns, a portion of the street, and New York Pizza into one lot. He mentioned that a primary concern in making the request was that closing Spruce Street would prevent people from making left turns from Spruce onto Hardy Road.
Mortuori still believes that closing Spruce Street would be a good solution to the dangerous intersection.
“I think it would have been much safer,” Mortuori said.
Mortuori is still considering buying the former Tires For Less building.
