News Summary
Cleveland’s Carnegie Avenue is facing significant disruptions due to a construction project aimed at replacing water mains. Local business owners are reporting drastic declines in sales, with some establishments, like Bee Clean Car Wash, facing their worst year in 60 years. Efforts to advocate for better signage and access have been met with limited city support, raising concerns about the future of these businesses during prolonged construction.
Cleveland Business Owners Express Frustration Over Ongoing Construction Disruptions Along Carnegie Avenue
Cleveland’s Carnegie Avenue is currently experiencing significant disruptions due to a construction project that began in June 2024. The initiative, involving the replacement of water mains, construction, and repaving, has inundated the area with construction crews, dump trucks, and numerous orange barrels, further complicating access for local businesses and their customers.
Many business owners located along Carnegie Avenue, including the owner of Bee Clean Car Wash, face challenges as the construction has severely impacted their sales. Reports indicate that this has been the worst year in 60 years for Bee Clean Car Wash, which has been serving the community for generations. Other local establishments, such as Shell Gas Station and Angie’s Soul Cafe, are also experiencing drastic declines in revenue, raising concerns about their ability to continue operating amidst these challenges.
In response to the construction-induced difficulties, Lenny Weiss, the owner of Bee Clean Car Wash, has reached out to Cleveland City Council President Blaine Griffin to advocate for clear signage that would guide customers to local businesses during the construction. However, the city has acknowledged limited resources for offering financial aid to support these legacy businesses during such disruptions.
Despite the ongoing construction challenges, many customers continue to support local businesses. Yet, a lack of clear direction and signage has led to navigation difficulties for potential customers. Weiss reported that he and a news reporter encountered significant challenges in accessing local businesses due to existing detours. Business owners argue that at times when active construction is not taking place, the city should consider opening the streets to allow easier access for customers.
The city’s response indicated that the installation of the water main is being conducted on an intersection-by-intersection basis, which precludes the option of simply opening completed intersections whenever feasible. This has left many business owners perplexed and frustrated, as they have noticed a lack of activity on-site, compounding their concerns about decreasing customer foot traffic.
To mitigate some of these challenges, city representatives have emphasized ongoing efforts to improve signage to indicate that businesses along Carnegie Avenue are still open. However, Weiss shared that he has yet to observe visible improvements in this effort and has not received follow-up communication from the city council president about his requests.
The construction project on Carnegie Avenue, which is vital for infrastructure improvements, has a commitment for completion set for October of this year. However, the second phase of the project is slated to extend until December 2026. Business owners like Weiss worry not only about their survival through the winter but also about the prolonged disruptions posed by the ongoing construction. The urgent need for accessible navigation for customers and enhanced support for local businesses continues to be a pressing issue for the community as it navigates through these construction-related challenges.
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Additional Resources
- News 5 Cleveland
- Wikipedia: Cleveland
- Fox 8 News
- Google Search: Cleveland construction disruptions
- Cleveland 19 News
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Cleveland, Ohio
- Crain’s Cleveland
- Google News: Cleveland Carnegie Avenue construction
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