News Summary
As construction on Main Street continues, Burlington business owners face significant challenges, reporting drops in foot traffic and sales. The Great Streets BTV project, scheduled for completion in 2026, aims to revitalize the area but has caused disruptions, leading to closures of several establishments. Local officials are exploring options to help, including advertising initiatives and loan funds, but many business owners remain concerned about their survival during this prolonged construction period.
Burlington is facing challenges as downtown business owners struggle amidst the ongoing construction on Main Street. The Great Streets BTV project, which began in February 2024, aims to enhance the area with wider sidewalks, improved outdoor spaces, and better water collection systems to create a more vibrant and walkable downtown. However, many local businesses report substantial disruptions resulting in a significant drop in customer foot traffic.
The construction project is scheduled for completion in November 2026 and has already faced multiple delays, pushing the timeline further back. Nearly 100 business owners congregated at a city hall meeting to express their frustrations regarding lost revenues and a growing concern that some businesses may not survive until the end of the construction.
While the Burlington Department of Public Works (DPW) has taken some steps to mitigate the impact on businesses — such as replacing water lines at no cost and implementing parking promotions — many owners feel these measures are inadequate. Notably, well-known establishments like Nectar’s and The Gryphon have permanently closed their doors, citing decreased foot traffic as a primary concern.
Some businesses, such as Honey Road, have had to forego outdoor seating arrangements due to the construction, directly affecting their sales. In response to the drop in walk-in customers, Burlington Wine Shop owner Brad Kelley has turned to email marketing as a means to entice sales.
The magnitude of the impact is staggering, with some business owners reporting a sales decline of 20% to 50% since the construction’s commencement. With continued construction hindering potential clientele movement, many business owners are making operational adjustments, including staff reductions and shorter working hours.
City officials have been exploring various options to alleviate these issues. For instance, the suggestion of allowing one-way traffic on Main Street was proposed, however, it was deemed too costly and would extend the construction timeline even further into 2027.
In response to the challenges that local businesses are facing, the city has embarked on several initiatives to provide support. These include increased advertising efforts aimed at drawing customers back to downtown and establishing a loan fund specifically for businesses adversely affected by the construction.
As construction progresses, some segments of the project have already been completed, including the installation of wider concrete sidewalks that will eventually be used for more extensive outdoor seating once construction is finished. This aspect of the project is part of a broader initiative focused on upgrading the infrastructure and redeveloping deteriorating properties in the area, ultimately contributing to the city’s long-term resilience.
Despite these improvements, the urgency of the business owners’ situation remains. Many are encouraging the city to reconsider its strategies in order to provide more substantial and meaningful support as they navigate the lengthy construction period. As downtown Burlington aims for a revitalized future, the immediate survival of its small businesses hangs in the balance, underscoring the delicate interplay between urban renewal and economic vitality.
Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic
HERE Resources
North Carolina Construction Industry Thrives Amid Challenges
Additional Resources
- Vermont Biz: Burlington Business Owners Look Forward After Construction
- Seven Days: Main Street Construction is Hurting Burlington Businesses
- Burlington Free Press: The Gryphon Restaurant Closes Due to Construction
- NBC 5: Burlington Main Street Project Update
- Wikipedia: Urban Development
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