Downtown Lisle merchants hanging tough as renovations continue
Business owners in downtown Lisle say they can hardly wait for Dec. 31.
Even with construction roughly two weeks behind schedule, that's when the village's $10 million downtown renovation project is expected to be complete.
Whether they run a newsstand, jewelry shop, restaurant or salon, proprietors say their cash registers have felt the hit from the Main Street construction work.
Many, however, hope the end result -- a revitalized downtown -- will help them recoup any losses they're incurring while Main Street is down to one lane.
Village leaders embarked on a plan earlier this year to transform the area along Main, south of Ogden Avenue, into a "nature-focused retail, restaurant and shopping district."
The work affecting most business owners is the $8.3 million narrowing of Main Street from four lanes to two from 200 feet north of Ogden Avenue to 200 feet south of Burlington Avenue.
The project includes new streets and sidewalks, lighting, benches, fountains, extensive landscaping and prairie-style infrastructure, giving a nod to the nearby Morton Arboretum.
Kitty Murphy bought The Nook newsstand at 4738 Main St. about a year ago, knowing the renovation project was in the works. She's eagerly waiting for the newspapers in her shop to proclaim the project finished.
"People are avoiding the downtown like the plague so I wish they would hurry up and get it all done," she said. "We've got our loyal customers, but our commuter and walk-in traffic has virtually been eliminated."
To combat that, Murphy has extended her hours and added ice cream specials.
"We'll get through this because my husband has already told me 'failure is not an option,'" she said.
Bob Kendall, owner of Flowers of Lisle, said his walk-in traffic is down but a majority of his business comes over the phone.
"Thankfully we haven't been hit like the others because we haven't relied on walk-in traffic," Kendall said. "We'll rely on that aspect of the business a lot more as the holidays near, so I hope it's all done before the holidays."
Across the street, Paul Martin has had northbound Main Street blocked in front his jewelry shop at 4745 Main St. since mid-April. In a few weeks, School Street also will be blocked on the north side of his shop.
"No doubt business is down, but it's nowhere near as bad as I expected it to be," Martin said. "Our customers, both new referrals and long-timers, have been finding ways to get here."
Despite financial concerns, several retailers said the communication and cooperation they've received from the village has helped them remain optimistic.
"If you want a beautified downtown, these are some of things you have to go through," said Pam Howard, owner of Main Street Hair Co. at 4726 Main St. "And the village has helped by sending weekly e-mails and sending project managers over to talk to us pretty regularly."
Public Works Director Ray Peterson said village staff learned early on that communication would be the key to everyone "surviving" the season-long project.
"We're not hearing too much coming in, which is a good thing in our field," Peterson said. "But we've done everything we can, from sending weekly e-mail updates to putting a project coordinator's office right there, to let those folks know we're working with them and want them to succeed."
Not everyone in town is thrilled, however.
Resident Peg Pelch stopped into Martin's shop for a battery Wednesday morning and suggested the village offer subsidies for merchants.
"Since this mess started, I've been saying the village should help these businesses," Pelch said. "I think every resident would support that."
Across the street, 44-year resident Shirley Otto was shopping at The Nook. She agreed the final plan will be beautiful but said it isn't worth the hassle.
"We're not Naperville and this isn't the Riverwalk so we need to stop pretending," she said. "Let's wake up and smell The Nook coffee, people."
The most challenging portion of the Main Street project will come in a few weeks when the sidewalks are replaced. Peterson said contractors will do small sections at a time to reduce the inconvenience.
"It's going to be a tough year but when it's done this will be a wonderful project and one that people are very proud of I'm sure," Peterson said. "To say we're finally at the point of building what was envisioned a decade ago is very exciting and important."
Construction also continues on the residential developments that are expected to be the core of the downtown redevelopment plan.
New England Builders is constructing 64 condominium units in the area bordered by Main Street on the west, Center Street on the east and Burlington Avenue on the south, with 15,000 square feet of retail on the first floor and a separate 11-townhouse development on the east side of Spencer Street.
Peterson said the 4.5-acre Garfield Avenue Basin, being built just west of Main Street, is coming along well thanks to a $400,000 state department of natural resources grant, that will provide gazebos, lighting, overlooks and warming stations.
The pathway and gazebo, along with the play area, will be built in 2009.
"We've got the irrigation installed and a large number of the plants and grass restoration in place," he said. "The fountain and other ornamental items will be along later this year."
All of the initiatives are scheduled to be complete in two years. Planners are hoping for sooner. To view more renderings and plan details visit http://www.villageoflisle.org/home/index.asp?page=430.
FYI
Phase IB (June through August) Streetscape (decorative sidewalks, planters) construction will continue on the east side of the street. New sidewalks will be installed. Pedestrian access will be restricted or prohibited. Planting areas will be constructed. Traffic on Main Street will be one way southbound and parking will be available on the west side of the street.
Phase IIA (Concurrent with Phase 1B) School Street will be closed for reconstruction and become a one-way street heading west, complete with new pavement, parking and lighting.