TOLEDO, OH (Toledo News Now) - City leaders in Toledo have promised to help businesses that were hurt by a big construction project on Sylvania Avenue.
There have been many improvements, including new pavement on the road and new parking spaces, but there are lingering problems.
Several businesses closed because traffic couldn't get through, or simply avoided the area during the more-than-two-year project. Others lost their walk-in crowds.
"We like the way it looks," said Cherie Cook, of J&D's Side Trip. "We just wish after all this construction and everything got done, they would have done something for us, you know, because it really killed the business for a long time."
J&D's Side Trip has had a for sale sign in front of it for months.
The city's Department of Neighborhoods met with business owners and residents Monday night to hear their concerns.
"Now we need to figure out, where do we go from here?" said Council member Lindsay Webb. "How can we support the businesses that are here? How can we attract new businesses?"
In addition to money already but into the roadway's reconstruction, Councilman Tom Waniewski says $100,000 more have been set aside for improvements. He wants the businesses to be rejuvenated.
"We're trying to make it not only a destination, but a place where people can walk easily through, so you stop at one business, walk up the road and go to another business," he said. He also wants Sylvania avenue to get a gateway, similar to Columbus' trendy "Short North" neighborhood.
Cook says the city should help with advertising, to bring more customers in.
