ESCANABA, Mich. (WZMQ) – A large-scale construction project is underway in Downtown Escanaba, and one business owner says it has been a long time coming.
On Monday, the City of Escanaba began utility replacement and roadwork on Ludington Street. According to Nyman Jewelers Owner and DDA Chairperson Sue Parker, the project has been in the works for about 20 years.
“It has been something that has been discussed many, many times,” Parker said. “The main drawback has been the funding for it.”
With the proper funding finally in place, crews started working between Lake Shore Drive and 4th Street. That portion of Ludington Street will be closed to traffic until late June or early July.
Although roadwork can be a headache for motorists, Parker says the work is necessary.
“With the new hotel that’s going up and the condos that are going up, the infrastructure is critical to those new businesses coming to town,” she said. “That’s not to mention all the existing businesses downtown as well.”
She encourages locals to be patient and to keep supporting businesses in construction zones throughout the spring and summer.
“There’s a lot of businesses that are going to be having a tough time when they have no street in front of their business,” said Parker. “They have other avenues where you can use a back door or park on a side street to get to them, so please don’t forget that the businesses are there.”
Work will move to 5th Avenue and 6th Avenue later this summer. Next year, crews will continue moving the project up Ludington Street.
