EAGLE, Idaho (CBS2) — Downtown Eagle business owners say they're struggling to stay afloat as construction drags on. They worry about the impact further construction and road closures may have on them.
The business owners CBS2 spoke with say they've lost sales with downtown construction already, and that's before the major Ada County Highway District upgrades planned to improve mobility and safety downtown have broken ground.
Construction on that is expected to begin in 2024 and last through fall of 2025.
If you drive through downtown Eagle, you'll see detour and road and sidewalk closed signs. New buildings are going up in several spots.
"In summary, it has absolutely killed our walk-in traffic," said Aimee Ricci, the owner of Urban Casuals, a women's clothing shop, and men's shop Donnie Ricardo.
Year to date, Ricci says sales are down about 20 to 25 percent due in large part to the near constant construction.
"A lot of our parking has been taken. It's being occupied by construction crews, so people just don't feel like they can walk around. They're frustrated with driving around looking for a parking place," Ricci said.
Right next door, a new building will soon be home to condos and retail shops. Ricci says she's looking forward to that but it's not helping business yet.
The impact her business and others are feeling now is before construction begins on a major ACHD project meant to improve the main thoroughfares getting into the downtown.
"If we're already taking a dip when the roads are open, what's going to happen when the roads are closed and people can't get to us? My husband and I stay up late and try to just kind of figure out what's the next step. Do we need to pivot the business? Do we need to do something different? We don't know what that will look like yet. Each day is just a new day, we just keep trying to survive," said Megan Hoiosen, the owner of vintage and home-décor store, Sweet Tea Living.
Down the street, Hoiosen is feeling the impact too.
"I think once the black fences went up, it's just been kind of hard for people to know, like can we go down to downtown Eagle? Is it open? A lot of the parking they're used to is gone, so they don't know where to go," Hoiosen said.
The long-term goal of the planned infrastructure work is to make the city a more walkable and bike friendly place, while improving safety and accommodating future traffic growth.
ACHD announced Tuesday night there would be two phases on construction work -- one beginning in early 2024 through Fall 2024 and the second phase from Fall 2024 through Fall 2025.
"That's why we're really concerned, you know, we're just like, how are they going to divert traffic? What does signage look like? How are they going to help people get back to our businesses?" Ricci said. "Obviously they can't do that work without doing some major shut downs."
A representative for ACHD said the two phases are meant to help mitigate some of those impacts to businesses.
Hoiosen told the Eagle City Council Tuesday night that she couldn't open up her other business in downtown, Scoops, because of the construction challenges.
"With the construction and the close of the alleyway, and the construction next to us -- just safety reasons and financially, there was no way for us to be able to open up," Hoiosen said. "Finding out it could be a two to three year project with the roads all being closed, just signing a five year lease kind of scares me because it's kind of like, wow, am I committing to something and are we even going to have the revenue to continue to do business here?"
Mayor Jason Pierce addressed the concerns Tuesday night.
"We're the only cities- six cities, five cities in the whole country that don't control our roads within city boundaries, and so we're at the mercy a little bit of ACHD," Pierce said. "So it's another layer of communication."
ACHD also said it'll incentivize construction contracts by offering more money if work finishes early.
ACHD also has a designated liaison to directly communicate with business owners about the project and updates. Both business owners said they were glad to hear this.
Both shops have parking spots for customers that are available even with construction.
Ricci and Hoioson say they aren't against growth or the improvements. They just hope they can make it through until the end of it.
"Believe me, I'm not against change at all. I think in the end, it's going to be great for all of us, but the trick for us little businesses is how to survive it between now and then," Ricci said.
"We love our customers that come in, but if you're in another area too and you see construction signs, walk down, walk in and try to support them the best way you can," Hoiosen said.
For additional information and future updates on the Downtown Eagle Mobility Improvement project,click here.
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