Business owners along the Cascade Road Corridor in southwest Atlanta are airing their grievances over a construction project that has been dragging on for over two years. The roadworks are not only a sore spot for the aesthetics of the area but have also taken a severe toll on local businesses. Many owners are calling out for the city's help, seeking the same level of support granted to businesses in more affluent areas like Buckhead and Midtown. According to a FOX 5 Atlanta report, these entrepreneurs are insisting on grants, not loans, for economic recovery.
Gathered at Oretha's By the Point for a media event, the business community highlighted how construction detours have hamstrung their operations, with the Complete Streets project aiming to enhance pedestrian safety and road aesthetics, had inadvertently impaired accessibility for emergency vehicles. Ambassador Andrew Young, a respected figure and resident of Cascade, has thrown his support behind the beleaguered business owners. As customers find it difficult to reach their favorite spots, like Cafe Bartique, where owner Angela Ingram lamented the inconvenience caused by the construction, telling FOX 5 Atlanta, "They loved getting a cup of coffee from us, but they can't get to us. They call me and say ‘20 minutes for what should be a 5-minute drive.’"
During a meeting convened to address these concerns, Trinket Lewis, owner of MoreLyfe Juice Bar, expressed the dire situation in a statement obtained by WSB-TV. “For over two years, we’ve endured confusion, broken promises, and crippling losses,” lamented Lewis. The disruption has even resulted in permanent closures for some of the community's businesses. Amid the upheaval, Atlanta Councilmember Marci Collier Overstreet has extended support in a letter to the merchants, acknowledging the critical issues posed by the project and their profound impact on the economic and cultural fabric of the area.
Responding to the mounting pressure, Michael Smith, Press Secretary for Atlanta Mayor Andre Dickens, relayed that another meeting is in the works to re-examine the project timeline and explore additional support for those affected. In this confab, Mayor's office representatives, city departments, and Councilmembers Overstreet and Boone will huddle to hatch a plan, which is intended to shore up the beleaguered businesses. While the Atlanta Department of Transportation has sped up efforts to finish the project, the road's reopening faces another delay from July to September due to the need to accommodate community concerns, a spokesperson explained to FOX 5 Atlanta.
