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Impact of City Construction on Hillcrest Businesses

Construction Projects Affect Bottom Line

Several businesses situated in Hillcrest have expressed their concerns regarding the detrimental effects city construction projects are having on their financial well-being. In response to this pressing issue, they have decided to file a claim against the city seeking restitution for their losses.

Visibility Issues Caused by Barriers

Victoria Robertson, co-owner of Divo Diva Cafe located on Fifth Avenue, articulated the challenges they are facing. She stated, “They put these two green screen fences up that are blocking our entire visibility for two blocks.” This obstruction has significantly impacted the cafe’s visibility to potential customers, contributing to a notable decline in foot traffic.

Decline in Sales

As a result of these visibility issues and other construction-related problems, Robertson indicated that their sales have plummeted. She expressed her frustration, commenting, “At least 20 to 30% is being left on the table; this is a big deal for a little coffee shop like us. We are only two years old.”

Additional Affected Businesses

Divo Diva Cafe is not an isolated case; other local businesses are also grappling with the repercussions of ongoing construction. Karen, the manager of Cocina de Barrio, another establishment on Fifth Avenue, shared her struggles: “It’s been hard to get guests in our door when parking isn’t easily available. We used to have 5-10 walk-ins a week; now we don’t get any.” This speaks volumes about how smaller businesses are suffering due to diminished accessibility and foot traffic.

legal Actions Against the City

In light of these challenges, two businesses, including Divo Diva Cafe and Cocina de Barrio, are moving forward with a claim against the city for monetary damages. Maria Severson, the attorney representing these businesses, explained, “By the way, the city staged the construction; they did nothing to mitigate its effect on the business owners, and these businesses are losing money, so this is a claim from the business for money damages.”

Details of the Construction Project

The city is undertaking an ambitious $7 million storm drain project aimed at preventing flooding for both residents and businesses in the area. Despite the well-intentioned goals behind this endeavor, the city claimed to have communicated with businesses through mailers sent in May 2025, prior to the construction start date in April 2025. However, many business owners, including Robertson, contend that they did not receive adequate information about the project until recently. “We didn’t hear anything else about it for six months, until December 1, right before the holidays,” she revealed.

Financial Struggles of New Businesses

The impact of the construction has been particularly hard on newer establishments like Curry Nation, which opened just after the project began. Its owner, Manspreet Singh, reported that the business has been so slow that he has had to dip into his personal funds to cover his expenses. “I used my personal money to pay for the rent and payroll,” Singh stated, highlighting the financial strain that ongoing construction has placed on entrepreneurs in the area.

Project Timeline and Future Outlook

According to current estimates, the barriers obstructing the street may be removed by Spring 2026, with the project itself expected to be fully completed by October 2026. These timelines, while established, may not alleviate the immediate financial hardships faced by local businesses.

Seeking legal Clarity with AI legalese decoder

In this complex scenario, navigating legal claims against the city can be challenging for small business owners. This is where the AI legalese decoder can provide invaluable assistance. This tool helps simplify legal language and offers clear explanations about the implications of contracts, claims, and legal documents. For business owners like Robertson and Singh, utilizing AI legalese decoder could clarify the legal process ahead, helping them understand their claims better and strategize on how to present their cases effectively against the city.

The City’s Response

While the businesses seek redress, NBC 7 has attempted to reach out to the city for comments on the ongoing litigation. The city has indicated that it does not comment on pending claims but has a period of 45 days to respond to the filed grievances.

In conclusion, the situation in Hillcrest exemplifies the challenges that local businesses face during municipal construction projects. The urgency for transparent communication and adequate support measures is clearer than ever, as these entrepreneurs strive to navigate both operational hurdles and legal intricacies.

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