With new sidewalks, expanded parking lots and repaved lanes and driveways, the Bluebonnet Circle project is meant to bring more people to the area off South University Drive.
But months of construction have done just the opposite. Business owners around Bluebonnet Circle say lane closures and unfinished sidewalks are driving customers away.
“We’ve been 50 percent down in sales,” said Glenn Stuart, owner of Daiches Custom Jewelers. “Thankfully, we do a lot of custom work so it hasn’t affected that so much, but with the regular walk-in traffic each day, it’s been a challenge.”
Project manager Mary Hanna said the work should be finished by Nov. 2. Construction was scheduled to begin in January, but started a few weeks late.
“We were told in the spring that road construction would be done by the end of August,” said Cathryn Diener, co-owner of Trio Hair Concepts, “but they have been working a lot and I think once they’re done it will have improved the area.”
The Bluebonnet Circle project includes the following updates meant to benefit businesses:
- Five-foot sidewalks on both sides of the circle
- New 12-inch water line
- New water service connections
- New sewer line
- Concrete replacement of existing pavement and driveways
“I think in the end it will be worth it,” Stuart said. “It’s a pretty part of town and there are many different kinds of businesses here that will draw people to the area.”
