WAMC obtained a recording of Mantello in a profanity-laced argument with Anthony DeMeo, whose family runs Bob DeMeo’s Discount Wine and Liquor at 500 Campbell Avenue. DeMeo told the mayor that a city lead pipe, sidewalk, and curbing replacement project on Campbell had nearly put him out of business. His family had operated the store for 49 years. “We’re getting ready to close the doors,” he told her, “because it’s just not profitable at this point.” Mantello said the project was ahead of schedule and the city had done what it could.
Campbell Avenue closed to through traffic around June 10, 2024. Businesses were not told it would run two months. On July 25, six weeks into the closure, Mantello told DeMeo the project would finish in “potentially three weeks or less.” It did not. The street reopened August 9, nearly two months after it closed. Eleven businesses on the corridor absorbed the full duration without ever being given an accurate timeline.
The business survived. As of May 2026, Bob DeMeo’s is still operating.
Then, at the end of May 2026, the city went back. A DEC-mandated sewer rehabilitation project launched on Campbell Avenue between Sherman Avenue and Thomas Street, with through-traffic closures, temporary above-ground pipe systems blocking sidewalk access, and driveway restrictions for businesses in the work zone. Projected duration: three to four weeks. The city’s own announcement acknowledged that when the 2024 lead pipe work was done, the administration had not yet been informed by the DEC that this sewer project would also be required. The street came up twice because no one coordinated the two projects before the first one started.
Sources: WAMC, News10 — businesses fear closure, CBS6 — business struggling, troyny.gov — 2024 reopening, troyny.gov — 2026 sewer project, News10 — 2026 sewer closure