Months of torn-up pavement, barricades, and backhoes along Commerce Street have Deep Ellum business owners sounding the alarm. Shopkeepers and bar operators say the long-running construction has choked off walk-in traffic and carved deep holes in their books, with several estimating revenue drops around 30%. Many have trimmed operating hours, especially late at night, pointing to lost parking and hulking equipment that make the corridor feel more like a work zone than one of Dallas' busiest entertainment strips. The project kicked off in 2024 and, even with parts of the north side now reopened, the rebuild still cuts straight through some of the neighborhood's most business-heavy blocks.
As reported by WFAA, several owners on Commerce say revenues are down about 30%, and some have shortened their days to stop the bleeding. Taboo Tattoo co-owner Cody Biggs told the station that "the meters are always taken up and the parking lots are very expensive," while restaurant owner Pete Zotos said fewer people are "willing to spend their lunch break fighting for a parking spot." A local performer also told the outlet he has turned down paid gigs because there is nowhere for his equipment van to park.
What the project includes
The work is a "complete streets" overhaul that swaps out old pavement, upgrades storm drainage and water lines, adds new sidewalks and lighting, and converts Commerce from a one-way to a two-way, two-lane street with on-street parking, according to a City of Dallas contract document. That contract lists a March 2024 start and an October 2026 completion estimate, according to the City of Dallas.
Timeline slips as work continues
The city later told WFAA that the timeline had moved again, and the Commerce Street project is now expected to stretch into March 2027. Crews say the north half of the corridor has been completed and sidewalks on that side have reopened. Business owners counter that these partial reopenings barely register on the bottom line and do not come close to restoring the steady foot traffic the strip relied on before construction.
Business response and city talks
City officials and council members have met with merchants and the Deep Ellum Foundation to talk about relief and mitigation, according to the Dallas Observer. The Observer reported that Councilmember Jesse Moreno pledged grant options and other measures last year, but many businesses say they still have not seen meaningful help. Merchants told reporters that relatively simple fixes, such as clearer pedestrian detours, cheaper short-term parking and more visible "we're open" signs, could offer at least some immediate relief while the heavy work grinds on.
According to Hoodline, the economic squeeze comes as Deep Ellum also weathers public-safety headlines and shifting nightlife habits; a May shooting underscored the neighborhood's turmoil. Local owners say their patience is wearing thin and that a firmer finish date, along with targeted city assistance, would go a long way toward keeping long-running Deep Ellum businesses alive until the reconstruction finally wraps.
