ATLANTA — Some business owners in southwest Atlanta say a lengthy road improvement project is taking a big hit to their bottom line.
And some say they may be forced to close.
To make matters worse, the owners say no one can tell them when the project will be finished.
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The project has been going on for two years, with a maze of detours that is driving customers away.
“That’s where the traffic starts to pick up,” said Trinket Lewis, co-owner of More Life Juice Bar. Tom Jones on Channel 2.
But her shop on Cascade Road gets very few customers.
“Sales are down 48 to 62 percent,” Lewis said inside the empty store.
She and other area businesses say that’s thanks to the Cascade Complete Streets road improvement project.
“Right now we’re calling it the ‘Cascade Unfinished Project,'” said Lance Robertson, co-owner of CBD City at Cascade.
Mr Robertson said the project was having a serious impact on his business.
“My business is down more than 30 percent,” he said.
Robertson and Lewis attended a packed meeting Tuesday where Atlanta city leaders gave the community an update on the project.
“They were saying last night that they don’t have a definite timeline for when phase one will be completed,” Robertson explained.
Atlanta City Councilwoman Marcy Overstreet told the crowd she wasn’t happy about that.
“To me, not having a completion date is not a good answer,” Overstreet said.
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The city could break ground on the project in 2022, which will include road, pedestrian, median, signal, lighting and safety improvements. Bike lanes will also be installed.
But Overstreet said they’ve been hit with one delay after another.
“There are design issues. We’re also experiencing water and sewer issues. A lot of people are saying the construction has slowed down their internet speeds,” Overstreet said.
Construction work is taking place on two sections of the Cascades, forcing drivers to make double detours.
“It’s a maze. People are tired. They want answers,” Robertson said.
Businesses say they are suffering and it would help if someone could tell them when they might get relief.
“So the biggest problem is we don’t know what the end date is,” Lewis said.
A city of Atlanta spokesman said the city understands the community’s frustrations but is addressing infrastructure that is aging and has long been neglected.
A spokesperson said the city is bringing together all departments and organizations to develop a comprehensive plan for the future and will keep local residents updated.
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