By Addison Martin
Downtown and nearby areas have several large projects happening simultaneously, and some residents, drivers, and local business owners can’t help but notice.
In addition to a revamping of Washington Street, sidewalk and street closures along Capitol and Madison Streets add to what some are calling chaos.
Jammie Goedken, the owner of T.Spoons, Old Capitol Town Center, says her business has felt the pressure of the change in traffic flow.
“I was born and raised in Iowa City, and it’s summer, so we’re used to it, but this is absolutely the most construction I’ve ever seen,” she said.
The biggest problem for the coffee shop has been a slight drop in business, Goedken said.
“It immediately made an impact; we were down 15 to 20 percent within two weeks, and that was even before school let out,” she said. “It was sort of the perfect storm for us with the bus stop being moved, and then students leaving town for the summer, and then they close most of the roads.”
Notification of the heavy construction was given to retailers on Washington Street earlier in the year. However, Goedken said, business owners in the Old Capitol Town Center were given no notification other than signs that announced the moving of the city bus stop from outside the entrance to the mall.
Jake Humphreys, a construction manager for the project abutting the Pentacrest on Madison Street, said his company is working on a multifaceted project involving the duct system that will span from south of the Seamen’s Center to the north along Madison Street. This is the reason for additional sidewalk closures in this area that began on June 3, he said.
“Due to new buildings on the Arts Campus, electrical distribution is at capacity, so we’re currently connecting the loops between there and the main campus,” he said.
Terry Dickens, a co-owner of Herteen and Stocker Jewelers, 101 S. Dubuque St., said this is the most construction he’s seen happen at one time downtown, and it has put a strain on his business.
“We’re trying to do everything we can to get through,” said Dickens, who is also a city councilor. “The construction workers are doing the best they can to stay on track, and I’ve been impressed with them.”
Although many pedestrians have taken to walking in the street where the sidewalks are closed, Humphreys urges people to follow the detours put in place.
Iowa City residents can expect a return to normalcy sometime in mid-September, he said.