Despite Delays, Nicollet Mall Construction Still On Schedule

MINNEAPOLIS (WCCO) -- It'll be at least a year before construction on Nicollet Mall in downtown Minneapolis is completed.

Utility and street work began in June, forcing mall-goers to navigate around construction areas. The project covers 12 blocks, from Grant down to Washington.

The work has had different impacts on different businesses. It's a $50 million makeover, that some businesses say is hitting their pocketbooks.

"Some areas of the project I'm further along than I thought I'd be. Some areas of the project I'm not as far as I wanted to be," said Don Elwood.

Elwood is the director of transportation, engineering and design for Minneapolis Public Works.

He said rain, and navigating pedestrians through the corridor, have been more work than anticipated. But the completion date hasn't changed.

"Overall, the project is still on schedule to be completed by the fall of 2017," said Elwood.

Some businesses are hoping they can last that long. More construction can mean less money.

"Just lunchtime, 10 percent down. Plus, I lost all my night business," said Alaine Lenne.

Lenne is the owner of La Belle Crepe on Nicollet Mall. At night he'd sell gelato on the street, but he stopped that this summer.

"There was no point, because it's dusty, noisy, there was no point," said Lenne.

But while things have changed outside, they remain the same inside Barrio Tequila Bar.

"Fortunately for us we've been able to maintain a lot of our regular business as well as adding some new customers. So for us it hasn't been too much of a deterrent," said Deanna Loux, general manager of Barrio Tequila Bar.

The city has been working with businesses on this.

They've had weekly construction meetings to give business owners a heads-up on what's coming and how they can prepare.