25-03-2025
Winooski business owners voice concerns over Main Street construction
WINOOSKI Vt. (ABC22 FOX44) – With road construction set to resume on The Main Street Revitalization Project in a few days, business owners were once again voicing concerns over the construction.
A group of roughly twenty at a public forum delved into an at times heated discussion over signs, detours, parking and notifications from the city— small changes they say could make a big difference for their storefronts.
'We're trying to provide very reliable utilities to these businesses, especially ones that are investing in the city, so our goal is to be as least disruptive as possible and try to substantially complete the project this year,' said Jonathan Rauscher, Winooski's Director of Public Works.
Rauscher says road construction will likely look similar to last year, but acknowledges the city needs to do more.
'I'm very aware that we need to have new services, and I don't object to that, but the planning and execution has been flawed,' said Glenn Patterson, who owns Junior's Winooski.
He says his restaurant, which saw business dip by 25%, struggled to make ends meet.
'While they're making an effort, which is appreciated, the response is pretty much we're just going to do what we did last year and your inconvenience is not our problem,' Patterson said.
Joe Sinagra, a Winooski property owner, who led much of the discussion on behalf of business owners, says he is hopeful after leaving the discussion. But last spring Sinagra had tenants leave and a business close in some of his buildings.
'I'm optimistic, but I heard today that businesses are going to be diligent about it… because these frustrations aren't that they're going to have to lay people off, they're frustration is that they're going to close their business if something doesn't change.'
Construction is set to begin again at the end of the month. City officials also say they are planning to launch a marketing campaign in April to promote local businesses.
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