Road construction in West Seventh Ave. not only does it give Emporia drivers a headache, but it also affects local businesses.
Construction, which began on March 28, is on the waterline of Sixth Avenue. In a statement, the city stated that the water supply line had more leaks and cracks that need to be repaired, and that the repairs will provide a more reliable service for those connected to the main line.
Will Spencer and his mother Carol Spencer of Nature’s Paradise, a health food store in 1511 V Sickth Ave .. say their business has suffered a significant loss since construction began.
“Traffic, you know, dropped significantly, especially when the police started dragging people because of issuing tickets, which affected many, many people in the city. So people are avoiding this area at all costs, “said Will Spencer.
Carol Spencer said that the owners of the company were not informed about the construction until the cones appeared and when they reached the city. By then, the Spencers had filled their store as usual and were not ready for ever-smaller sales as shoppers began to avoid the street.
“I don’t think people realize that when you take away as much income as they have because of this, then it’s a leak effect, I think, it does, you know, our purchasing power goes down, our employment goes down, everything is just affected that way. “I think everyone in some way, you know, still survives after the covid, and then we move on, and now this,” said Carol Spencer.
Other businesses along Sixth Avenue faced the same problems.
Alvaro Perez from Gustos, which has a location on Sixth Avenue 1520 V, as well as a traveling truck with food, says that his restaurant was severely affected by the sudden construction. “People are avoiding Sixth Avenue because of the traffic,” Perez said. “I still have to pay rent, sales tax, my employees, bills, water, internet; it doesn’t stop. “
Perez said that he was also not informed about the construction, and he did not find out much later, because the city informed only the owners of the property, and not the owners of the company. He estimates that construction has reduced his work by about 50%.
“I spent $ 1,000 a month trying to advertise to get more customers, because he is currently almost dead this afternoon,” Perez said. In addition to the loss of income, Perez said that he was not informed before the water was turned off on Friday during the rush hour in his restaurant.
Jesse Sekord, owner of AAA Glass Service, in 1908 V Sickth Ave., also participated in the construction.
“The construction is not so bad, but where they blocked the whole 6th because there is no construction, it is very irritating,” said Secord. “I think if we did it differently, or at least blocked smaller parts of the road at the same time, it wouldn’t be such a big deal.
Carol and Will Spencer said they have contacted the city several times about how construction affects their business. “I talked about the situation with [the city manager], and how it affected our revenues and sales and everything and he said ‘I’ve been on projects like this before; and he said that some small businesses succeed and some do not, “said Carol Spencer.
Danny Giefer, the deputy mayor of Emporia and the owner of Mr. G’s express car wash in 2032, Sixth Ave., said that he was not aware of how much the construction would affect his business.
Gifer estimates that his business has also been halved and that the big trucks he usually relies on in his business no longer use Sixth Avenue.
“We worked, from the side of the city, and listened to everyone, you know, it wasn’t just me who was affected, everyone was affected,” Giffer said. “From the city side, I know that we probably did not work as well as we could communicate with all companies. It must be difficult for companies. “
Gifer also said that 6th Street has the highest traffic of all in Empori. “Up here, where there is construction, there are about 16,000 to 17,000 cars in this area,” Gifer said. “It’s a big impact on that kind of traffic in this area.”
On May 25, the city issued a statement in which it deals with construction and plans to help alleviate stress for the affected companies.
“Business needs were considered through the next two phases as the city developed traffic control plans to continue traffic on the private property affected by the project. Starting with Phase B, residents will notice traffic signs indicating the flow of traffic leaving businesses. “Phase B (construction on the south side of the highway) and phase A (construction on the north side of the highway) will enable traffic to take place in two lanes and are expected to take about three (3) weeks each,” the city said. Statement.
Construction is expected to be completed by mid-June, but Giffer said he finds it hard to believe construction will be completed by then.
The city stated that the contractor will be paid $ 1,000 a day, up to $ 25,000, for each day the project is completed ahead of schedule. The contractor will also be responsible for between $ 1,200 and $ 2,400 a day for each day the project is overdue.
Meanwhile, businesses on Sixth Avenue are still struggling to survive.
“As a citizen, we know that the project should have been done, but in many ways, the way it was conducted and the way it was announced was wrong, because you can’t, you can’t plan anything. It’s just thrown at you like this and you have no idea what’s coming. ” said Carol Spencer. “I hope we can recover after this.