MINNEAPOLIS— It’s a common sight that residents and business owners in northeast Minneapolis know all too well: long construction seasons that last for months at a time.
The project along Hennepin Avenue added bike lanes, safer crosswalks and priority lanes, but no customers.
“My wife was here every day and posted a picture of a huge machine tearing up the concrete,” said Rich Horton, co-owner of Relish.
It was difficult for Horton to pick up where they left off before the construction season.
“It seemed like we were on an upward trend, but then it dropped off,” Horton said.
Construction began in the area in April.
“It was a six-month process, it seemed throughout the neighborhood. It hit us hard the last two months,” Horton said.
Morgan Foley took over as general manager at Rusty Taco when the construction season began.
“It wasn’t good for us at all,” Foley said.
Like many other companies in the region, expected turnover fell.
“We never made it to our summer sale, we lost a lot of money,” Foley said.
Just around the corner, a new construction season begins next spring in northeast Minneapolis.
“They told us it’s going to be two years and it’s only been a year so far. It’s going to start again so it’s very frustrating,” Foley said.
Staying positive is all these entrepreneurs can do for now.
“Our patio used to be right next to the road, so now it will be a little bit of a bump with the bike path. So that will be a little better for us,” Horton said.
They are also spreading the message that the streets are open again.
“I think people get sad when it’s gone, but they don’t realize that some businesses are struggling,” Horton said. “Just go to your local businesses and support the neighborhoods.”
Hennepin County leaders say most of the construction has been completed, but they will still complete parts of the project in 2025.
Susan-Elizabeth Littlefield
