Raleigh restaurant owners say construction debris poses a threat to health, business

There are wisps of white on the patio of Whiskey Kitchen in Raleigh, but instead of snow, it’s insulation falling from the sky.

The owners of Whiskey Kitchen and The Berkeley Cafe are complaining that neighboring construction debris is covering their patios and front walkways in a blanket of styrofoam, just as Raleigh bar patrons flock outdoors for a drink.

The debris appears to be coming from the construction site of the Hilton Garden Inn and Homewood Suites, a dual hotel being built at 200 W. Davie St. The 13-story project is on the southern half of the same block as Whiskey Kitchen and The Berkeley.

Whiskey Kitchen co-owner Michael Thor took his complaint to the City of Raleigh, he said. Katie Dombrowski, communications manager for Raleigh’s planning and development department, said the city had been in touch with the construction crew, which planned to stop sanding the insulation until a mesh net could be installed.

“They will also be cleaning the construction site to prevent further pollution,” Dombrowski said in an email “Inspectors have asked that the site be monitored once the sanding resumes to ensure no more pollution occurs to neighboring businesses.”

Humphreys & Associates out of Chattanooga is the contractor handling the hotel project. Construction superintendent Keith Belanger said the company was aware of the complaints.

“We had some complaints from our neighbors, but we cleaned it up for them,” Belanger said in a brief phone call. Belanger’s call with The News & Observer became disconnected mid-conversation and he declined to talk further.

Blowing Styrofoam a health concern

Thor first posted a video of the littered patio Monday afternoon on his Instagram page.

For Thor, who lives as a quadriplegic and navigates downtown Raleigh with a motorized wheelchair after a 2015 motorcycle crash, the health concerns are significant. Thor’s paralysis restricts his ability to clear congestion from his throat, he said, and that he’s coughed up Styrofoam.

“I’m worried about my own health and the health of my employees,” Thor said. “I’m not able to cough. ... If I’m not clear by (Friday) I’m going to the doctor. If I don’t deal with it, it will turn into pneumonia.”

Thor said the construction group sent workers over Tuesday to vacuum up debris, but that on Wednesday more had blown all over Whiskey Kitchen once again.

While on the phone Thursday, Berkeley Cafe owner Lisa Lewis went outside and picked up pieces of debris from the sidewalk, describing it as “like little bitty pieces of Styrofoam.”

“My rug is coated,” Lewis said. “I think it’s kind of irresponsible. I don’t know why they did it on one of those really windy days.

“It is kind of a big deal,” Lewis said. “It’s not good for the environment, there’s no telling where it’s going. ... I don’t think it’s very cool.”

Thor said he sent out a message to the restaurant’s staff encouraging them to wear masks due to the debris.

“It’s really not good, it’s all over our patio,” Thor said. “Everyone in downtown Raleigh needs to be wearing a mask.”

Thor said the debris poses a financial threat to Whiskey Kitchen, which features one of Raleigh’s most popular patios.

“If it doesn’t get corrected I’m going to be out tens of thousands of dollars a week,” Thor said.

As the weather warms and draws diners outdoors, Thor worries people will stay away if his patio is coated in Styrofoam. And if they do visit Whiskey Kitchen, Thor questions if they should.

“It’s kind of a battle of conscience,” Thor said. “We don’t have enough masks for every customer.”