BURLINGTON, Vt. (WCAX) – As the holiday season approaches, Burlington businesses are getting into the spirit with sales and ways to entice customers downtown. However, the city says a major construction project in the heart of downtown has now been extended well into the new year.
Many business owners say they were caught off guard this week when they were notified that the South Winooski and Main Street project will be closed for eight weeks starting in early December 9.
“When you’re giving someone three weeks notice, it’s just not enough,” said Jason Levinthal, the founder of J Skis, a bar and ski shop on Main St. “This is the gateway to Burlington. It’s where everyone enters the town, and it’s gonna not be very inviting for anyone to come shopping.”
Construction on Main Street has been going on since February as crews work to replace a dilapidated 150-year-old sewer. But Levinthal is among business owners who say the unexpected timing of the project is a hefty price to pay. “It’s the only time of year that people do need to shop for their entire family, and accounts for 30 percent of our sales,” he said.
During Monday’s City Council meeting, Burlington Public Works Director Chapin Spencer fielded complaints and concerns. “I implore you — figure out a way to keep the intersection open during this key time,” said City Councilor Tim Doherty Jr., D-East.
“The hard questions and conversations are reasonable to have and I will see what further information I can bring back to you after working with the contractor more,” Spencer responded.
The city has worked to encourage shoppers to still visit downtown businesses by keeping sidewalks open and increasing marketing efforts. But for some, it’s just not enough. “I know it’s challenging for everyone, and there’s great progress being made, but the town at some point needs to step up and treat it as — ‘These are their businesses,’ because I can’t do anything beyond try to survive through this,” Levinthal said.
City officials say they are trying to find a workaround but did not respond to requests for an interview on Wednesday.
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