Lowest Greenville Construction Gives Businesses A Bumpy Ride

DALLAS (CBSDFW.COM) - A $1.3 million construction project was supposed to make things better for businesses along Lowest Greenville Avenue in Dallas. But for now, it's leaving many businesses feeling bitter, not better. "It's been very tough," recalls Masa Otaka.

Otaka owns Teppo Sushi Bar and says the construction, which began in August, is killing his business. "It's just messy everywhere and it doesn't seem like it will finish any time soon," he added.

Lowest Greenville is in the middle of a face lift. The sidewalks are being widened and the street is being narrowed from four lanes to two lanes. The project is designed to make the entertainment district more entertaining to pedestrians.

Felissa Laflamme is an employee at Daddy Jacks restaurant and she welcomes the makeover. "Over the past five to seven years, it was starting to get a little tired looking. We just need some neighborhood revitalizing down here," said Laflamme.

The city of Dallas is trying to rid the area of its seedy bars in hopes of replacing them with boutique businesses, upscale restaurants and quaint patios. "That's great" said Carl Priggre who manages the Service Bar, but in the meantime, Priggre adds, "it's killing business. There's no business here anymore since they started the construction."

Business owners say they're suffering because their customers can't drive south on Lowest Greenville because the road is closed. Visitors must also navigate construction cones and blockades when walking down the sidewalks.

But the biggest complaint from merchants is the issue of parking. "It's like a jigsaw puzzle or a maze. You can't find anyway to get into the spots," said Priggre.

Priggre says his bar was bringing in roughly $90,000 a month before construction began. Since then, the general manager says that number has dropped to $20,000 a month, making it nearly impossible to cover expenses and pay the rent.

There is a light at the end of the tunnel. Henry Nguyen with Dallas Public Works says the southbound side of Greenville Avenue will reopen the day before Thanksgiving and that the entire project should be finished by mid December.