The $3.75 million Dubuque Street reconstruction project is expected to be completed by Sept. 20 after over five months of work has impacted businesses on the street. Business owners are reporting decreased foot traffic and profits compared to last year.

Alin Dumachi, the city’s senior civil engineer overseeing the project, said the work is still anticipated to wrap up in September.

Dumachi said the project is the third in a series of 12 that were conceptualized in 2014 to address aesthetic and infrastructure issues across Iowa City. The specific plans for the Dubuque Street reconstruction project were created in January 2022.

According to the city’s website, the project began March 11 to address outdated infrastructure underneath the street. The project also prioritizes developments in street utility, including widened sidewalks and improved light fixtures over the street.

The city emphasized the Dubuque Street businesses’ needs during the planning process and has achieved its goal of disrupting regular business hours as little as possible, Dumachi said.

Dumachi said city officials had not decided which project it will pursue once Dubuque Street is finished. He added that different projects have different needs, meaning plans for each project can vary.

“Despite some bad weather and the six-week delay, we are on track to finish the Dubuque portion of the project by the end of the month,” Dumachi said.

Light fixtures will be installed in September once they arrive, he added.

Despite businesses seeing reduced sales, business owners are banding together to make it through the rest of the construction.

Macy Krall, owner of 223 Baby Co. located at 21 S. Dubuque St., said her overall sales in the last month are down over 65 percent from last year. Krall also told The Daily Iowan her sales were down 40 to 50 percent in July.

Krall said the change in the construction fence layout has made it more difficult to access her and others’ businesses. Originally, the fence was arranged so the street was blocked off while the sidewalk remained accessible.

Workers recently began laying new sidewalks, making the walkway more difficult to navigate. Wooden boards are needed to cross from the walkway to the businesses’ doors.

Krall said she was concerned by the boards because they were not accessible and made it difficult for her to navigate with her stroller and infant.

Krall said she is looking forward to further progress, especially as students begin moving into Iowa City to start fall classes.

“Students move in and begin looking for places to hang out,” Krall said. “If Dubuque Street doesn’t look good, our businesses might not become hangout spots for students.”

Krall mentioned some of the official and unofficial promotions that have taken shape during the construction have helped support businesses during the construction period.

She said a city gift card program implemented June 22, which grants $20 to any customer who spends $150 or more at Dubuque Street businesses, has not generated new business but is utilized often by regular customers. She also said the gift cards are effective advertising.

RELATED: Dubuque Street businesses, restaurants affected by road reconstruction

Businesses on Dubuque Street like 223 Baby Co. have used cooperation to bolster sales and foot traffic, such as a 10 percent discount program Krall offers in association with Prairie Lights Books and Cafe down the street.

Prairie Lights Books and Cafe, located at 15 S. Dubuque St., is a state-renowned bookstore known for its literary readings and second-floor cafe popular among students.

Jan Weissmiller, a long-time staff member at Prairie Lights as a poetry buyer, reading arranger, and co-owner since 2008, said showing a receipt for a purchase of any amount from one store at the other results in a 10 percent discount.

Weissmiller said she hopes an affiliation with 223 Baby Co. may draw attention to Prairie Lights’ “somewhat underutilized” children’s book section.

Weissmiller said, like Krall, overall business in the last five months has declined. Her business was never fully inaccessible, she said, but the store was asked to open later than usual to allow for the sidewalks to be poured.

Even though foot traffic and sales are down, other elements of the business were not affected, Weissmiller said. Literary readings were undisrupted, and catered receptions have been successful.

Weissmiller said she is optimistic about the redesigned street bringing in good business once the project is concluded. She said the store plans to incentivize customers with Prairie Lights-branded merchandise. Businesses on the street will have a post-project celebration in October. Additionally, Weissmiller is planning appearances and readings by prominent authors this fall.

Through it all, the project has brought Dubuque Street business owners closer together, Weismiller said, which will outlast the construction project.