Businesses on the 16th Street Mall are facing significant challenges due to ongoing construction in the area. Despite efforts to attract customers with signs and promotions, many storefronts remain vacant. One business reported a 50% decrease in revenue compared to the previous year, citing the construction as a significant factor.
Jayanth Sashi, who has been offering beauty services on the mall for five years, has seen a decline in business since the construction started. She attributes this in part to the difficulty of accessing the area, with limited parking options available even before the construction began. The construction has impacted not just Sashi’s business, but many others along the mall as well.
The light rail stations surrounding Sashi’s shop are also closed for improvement works, extending the timeline of the construction and leaving business owners like her concerned about further financial losses. They are hoping for relief and a return to normalcy once the construction is completed. The 16th Street Mall is a popular tourist destination, and businesses typically rely on the summer months for increased foot traffic and revenue. With ongoing construction posing challenges, they are looking towards the future and hoping for a successful tourist season to help sustain their operations.
