Businesses in Dallas’ Deep Ellum entertainment district have complained that ongoing road construction is hurting sales.
They say that the construction along Commerce Street is disrupting the neighborhood and discouraging potential customers from visiting their establishments.
Much of Commerce Street continues to be covered in construction equipment and barricades, part of the city’s efforts to make repairs along the major route. One Gus’ Fried Chicken employee, Tinashe Chisango, said traffic and parking have been impacted, and the roadwork is also causing other inconveniences.
“Two days ago they told us they had to cut off our water supply, and that actually had us shut down for half the day, just inconveniences like that,” he said, per NBC.
Chisango also says the water cutoff notice was only received on the same day the work occurred.
Neapolitan wood-fired pizza chain Cane Rosso said that while customers continue to visit their location near Good Latimer Expressway, the drop in foot traffic is noticeable. And it could worsen once construction work transitions to the other side of the street, where Cane Rosso is located.
“Right now it’s on the other side of the street, but soon enough it’s going to be on this side of the street, and it’s going to effect us a lot more I think, we’re going to see even less foot traffic,” said Cane Rosso General Manager Hunter Harrison.
Because the construction equipment and barricades make the area look inaccessible, some businesses are worried that people will think the shops are closed on the impacted stretch of Commerce Street. While signs remind potential patrons that businesses are open, people who work in the area say the construction activity continues to suggest otherwise.