Cox shuts payment facility on Water Street

Thursday, Oct. 2, 2008 | midnight

Craig Peterson

Cox Communications opened a new payment center Sept. 8 on Stephanie Street and Warm Springs Road following the closure Sept. 6 of its smaller facility at 11 Water St.

The 5,000-square-foot center, 460 N. Stephanie St., near Galleria at Sunset mall features more customer service windows, drive-through lanes and expanded parking, Cox Communications spokesman Juergen Barbusca said.

"This new Henderson payment center is going to significantly improve convenience and services for our Henderson customers," he said.

However, the closure caught customers unaware. People ambled up to the storefront on Sept. 29 to be greeted by a sign informing them of the move. The sign taped over the door was accompanied by a map to the new center.

Arriving to pay a bill, Nancy Karatzas, 36, said she was upset about the lack of communication.

"They did not let anybody know about this," she said. "They should send letters to people."

She added that this was especially important in light of high gas prices.

Barbusca said more than 2,000 fliers were distributed to customers visiting the Water Street location in the two months before the move, and posters were prominently displayed.

Cox is hosting an official grand opening celebration at the new location at 9 a.m. Oct. 6. It is open Monday through Saturday, from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. for walk-in service and from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. for drive-through service. The old location's hours were 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Dave Clark can be reached at 990-2677 or dave.clark@hbcpub.com.