Minneapolis Public Works officials say they're doing the best they can as another summer of construction impacts local business owners.
The city is reconstructing or resurfacing more than 11 total miles, which include some of Minneapolis' busiest roadways.
Project Engineer Adam Hayow oversees the massive Hennepin Avenue redesign now in its second year. He says they communicated with affected businesses about what to expect.
"Before construction, we created a detailed business access map to help guide customers through the construction zone, highlighting available parking," says Hayow.
But a few miles away on East Franklin, Maria's Café owner Maria Hoyos says she's in trouble due to all of the construction on her block.
"I'm having a hard time with my business completely empty," Hoyos explains. "Customers, they cannot find a place to park. They are remodeling here, the parking lot, and it's the clinic over there. But I used to use the parking lot and now no parking lot for me."
Hayow says they take every effort to try and minimize disruptions to property owners.
"We hold a weekly, construction stakeholder meetings to provide construction updates and address concerns. we provide weekly construction updates on the project web page and stakeholders can sign up for email notifications. We also have one on one meetings with businesses and property owners as needed."
Regardless - it's a challenge for these businesses and Hoyos says there's one thing she won't do - raise prices.
"The price is the same. We have very loyal customers," she says.
