Mankato -
In just a couple months, Madison Avenue will be filled with orange cones and heavy equipment.
The city is planning to do construction on approximately two miles of the roadway. But some business owners have concerns as one of the major arteries through Mankato is about to get a major overhaul.
"The pavement on Madison Avenue has deteriorated to a state that where we feel we have to take some action, "said Jeff Johnson, Mankato city engineer.
That action involves construction from North 7th Street to Victory Drive, and full reconstruction from Victory Drive to State Highway 22.
"Well of course it's going to affect our business, because everytime you have an inconvenience customers go someplace else," said Charley Sadaka, Charley's Restaurant owner.
While the city says the roadwork along Madison Avenue is needed, some business owners say they're concerned about their cashflow.
"In the summertime...probably cost us 40 percent in business," said Sadaka, speaking of the construction.
The construction is expected to last from the end of this April through August.
"We intend to have 2-way traffic maintained during the whole project," said Johnson.
Other business owners along Madison say they're waiting to see how things unfold first before analyzing their cashflow.
"Anytime you get construction right by you, you're always concerned," said Jerry Kottschade, co-owner of Jerry's Body Shop.
Sadaka says he wishes the project was scheduled for a later date.
"If they need it, they need it, but I hoped they waited for another year with the economy right now, things not going the right way," he said.
While no plan is perfect, the city says they will try to keep the business impact low.
"I would tell any business owner that we are going to do our best to maintain access to all of their businesses during the project," said Sadaka.
The city says the total project is expected to cost $5.3 million.
