Construction in downtown Blackfoot will impact access to businesses
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BLACKFOOT – The first phase of a downtown revitalization project in Blackfoot is limiting access to at least a dozen businesses.
The project got underway Wednesday morning between Bridge Street and Pacific Street on Broadway. Street and Sanitation Superintendent Scott Murphy tells EastIdahoNews.com it’s a $500,000 project. Over the next 90 days, crews will be replacing the road and tearing out curbs, gutters and sidewalks.
The road will be blocked to traffic for the duration. It’s slated for completion in mid-June.
“There will still be walking access to each of the businesses. HK Construction (the contractor doing the work) is going to maintain that, except for maybe a couple days in a row where we’ll have it blocked off to give the concrete enough time to cure properly,” Murphy says.
Alternative parking is available on the east side of Broadway and Bridge Street behind several businesses. Murphy says that area has 33 parking spaces, and there’s a walking path connected to it that leads directly to the businesses in the construction area.
Stephanie Flores owns a business in that section. She opened Downtown Thrift and Gift Boutique five and a half years ago and recently sold another business, Downtown Bread Company, which has been in operation since 2006. Though the bread store is under new ownership, Flores still owns the building.
The thrift store is her family’s sole income, and she’s concerned about the potential negative impact on business because of the road construction.
Flores says a significant decline in traffic could have disastrous results.
“It would shut down our business, and we would potentially lose all our income,” Flores says.
Flores says parking has always been a challenge, and that’s the case for most business owners in that part of town.
“If they’re going to be displacing 25 spaces, I foresee a huge problem with the parking we’ll be left with,” says Flores.
During the Eastern Idaho State Fair, the city uses a trolley to help locals get to the entrance. Flores suggests the city using it during this time to make it easier for customers to get to them.
Flores says it’s not her intent to speak negatively about the city. She simply wants to raise awareness about the project and is calling on patrons for their continued support.
“We’re still here. We’re not going to be closed (even though the road will be closed),” says Flores. “We need your business, we want your business. I’m hoping the city can work with us … to make it easier for customers to get to us.”
Murphy says the city made an effort to stop by each of the businesses and inform them about the construction. They also held a town hall meeting about it last Wednesday.
“Only about five business owners showed up,” says Murphy.
Those with questions and concerns can give Murphy a call. His office number is (208) 785-8607.
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