CONCORD, N.C. — Concord's downtown area is being revitalized and has been undergoing construction for several months. Some local shop owners say all the work is having a negative impact on their daily operations.
Business owners and managers told WCNC Charlotte that things are getting back on track after the impact of COVID-19, but once this construction begins, most foot traffic in the area will be eliminated. Many are struggling to survive again.
“If it was pre-construction on a day like today, it would be really busy right now,” said Wendy Conzelman, manager of The Enchanted Kitchen. “It's terrible. Some days there's hardly anything to do.”
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“People don't come, but when they do, they ask about construction,” said Michael Moran, owner of Purple Star Signs. “Progress is being made, but it’s slow, noisy and ugly.”
It's all part of a streetscape and infrastructure improvement project that will transform the area with wider brick sidewalks, space for outdoor dining, and additional landscaping.
Credit: City of Concord
According to Concord's website, the Downtown Master Plan, which includes a new downtown streetscape, was adopted by City Council in August 2016.
The city said the new downtown streetscape will increase foot traffic and attract new businesses such as restaurants and retail stores. The project is also expected to increase downtown property values and redevelopment opportunities.
Crews began work on Union Street in February 2023. The road has been closed ever since.
Some say access to business is a big issue.
“I work with a lot of elderly people and people with disabilities who find it impossible to get inside because the footing is unstable,” massage therapist Joshua Bruce said.
Robert Barrage, owner of Lil Roberts Place, said sales have decreased by 40% because of the construction.
“There's no one walking on the streets now,” Barrage said. “It's a ghost town.”
Barrage said more practices are needed to move forward with this construction work.
“If you have to bury a sewer pipe, if you have to bury a water pipe, you have to install fiber optics, you have to do all these different things, and you may have multiple workers working on it. ” Barrage said.
Downtown Development Manager Paige Grochosk said she understands the frustration, adding there are a lot of moving parts to the project.
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“Sometimes something happens and we have to turn around and find a new pedestrian path that may be different than what we've been doing before,” Grochoske said.
Despite concerns that construction would be over schedule, the city said it is on track for completion this summer.
“There's always a change in how we approach that work, but the scope of that work is still within the schedule,” Grochoske said.
Some mother-and-baby stores said they feel they are being forced out to make way for larger businesses, but Grochoske said that's not the case.
“The new businesses that are coming up…what's unique is that there are still small businesses going on,” Grochoske said. “These are entrepreneurs who are taking advantage of the opportunity to be part of the revitalization of Concord.”
Grochoske said they are doing a lot of marketing to bring people downtown. He also encourages businesses looking to improve the exterior of their buildings to apply for facade grants.
“If a business wants to install new signage, paint a building, or add awnings, they can apply for a facade grant and 50 percent of that cost will be reimbursed to the business,” Grochoske said. states.
Companies just hope they can hold out for another five months.
“Concord wants small businesses to survive, and I’m sure the end product will be good just by being in Kannapolis, but in the end you might say, who’s going to come here to reap the benefits? '' Bruce said.
Please contact Jesse Pierre. jpierrepet@wcnc.com or follow her Facebook, X and Instagram.
