Local News

City, downtown businesses trying to work together during major construction project

Year three of the downtown Shelbyville redevelopment project is taking its toll on local businesses.

 

The restructuring of the traffic pattern through the Public Square will be a year-long project. Started in late 2020, the goal of the project is to be complete in November of 2021.

 

That is no consolation to local restaurants, bars and other businesses located in downtown Shelbyville. Most are surviving but times are tough.

 

“It will be nice if we can make it,” said Cadillac Jack’s owner Mike Neice.

 

With construction in full effect in front of both Cadillac Jack’s, 29 Public Square, and Munchies, 39 Public Square, making enough money to pay the bills has become troublesome.

 

Both businesses, reliant on downtown parking and foot traffic, are struggling to get through the toughest phase of the construction project.

 

“If this continues the way it is we will physically not be able to stay open until August,” said Maryssa Huntsman, who along with Adam Tindall, own Munchies. “I’m pretty stubborn. I will take my money and keep dumping it in. I know that’s what you have to do as a business owner so I will continue to do it to make sure my employees are paid and my electric stays on.”

 

Jeff Brown photos

The downtown redevelopment project continues as businesses struggle to stay afloat. New sidewalks are poured along the southwest quadrant in front of Cadillac Jack's and Munchies to help ease access to establishments there.

 

Huntsman vented her frustration with the project March 15 at the Shelbyville Common Council meeting. While in favor of the “new look” downtown being created, her business has dealt with timing issues for work at her front door and traffic issues behind her building blocking access to a rear entrance.

 

“I don’t think anyone is maliciously doing it,” she said. “I think it’s more they are trying to get it done and not thinking about the collateral damage in the mean time.”

 

Genesis Property Development, 524 N. Harrison St. in Shelbyville, is managing the project that started in 2019 with the redevelopment of East Washington St. from the Public Square past Noble St. to the railroad tracks.

 

“Things are going really well,” said Ron Kelsay of Genesis. “We have had really good feedback from the city and, generally, very good feedback from most of the business owners.

 

“It’s a construction project and nobody is thrilled about construction other than getting to the end result. The process is not a happy thing for anybody. Our goal is to make sure we execute on the project, meet the timelines and come in under budget. And to the extent that we can, minimize the impact and pain on the businesses in the area.”

 

Genesis works in conjunction with Beaty Construction, the contractor, to inform the downtown businesses directly affected by the project.

 

“While nobody likes the actual construction itself, generally speaking, we’ve had great relationships with all the businesses. They understand what it is and see the end result and are excited about that and want to get there. They’ve been good to work with and cooperate with and understand what we’re working with,” said Kelsay. “We’re trying to make this the best we can. Usually, we have no issues working out a good solution for them that works, that gets them what they need.

 

“Is it ideal? Probably not exactly but it’s the best we can do. I feel like in the big picture, we’ve done a really good job of doing that.”

 

Munchies opened just over a year ago as the construction project was progressing along West Washington St. and COVID-19 was not yet an issue in the United States.

 

Bars and restaurants have suffered immeasurably due to COVID-19 restrictions, though. The difficulty in getting to downtown businesses has only exasperated the process.

 

The City of Shelbyville has worked in conjunction with Genesis to provide signage downtown outlining how to proceed to businesses and where to properly park.

 

“I know we have put up signage multiple times indicating that the parking lot at the (former) Chase (Bank) building is available to them and to Cadillac Jack’s,” said Shelbyville mayor Tom DeBaun. “Any signage put around downtown, we purchased.”

 

Kyle Henderson’s Allstate Insurance Company, 37 Public Square, has had difficulties with the construction project as well, but not to the degree of its neighbors.

 

“We’ve had three days we all went home because the gas fumes were so bad we were getting sick,” said Henderson. “We had concrete dust and gas in the office so we closed the doors, sealed the office and left.”

 

With Allstate promoting online services, foot traffic into Henderson’s office is minimized. And if paperwork needs to be signed, Henderson directs traffic to the building’s rear entrance on Jackson St. for quick service.

 

“It’s not as big a deal to me because Allstate is not taking cash payments,” explained Henderson. “I still have things to be signed so I have people go to the back door. I have it on a clipboard and go out (to Jackson St.) and have them sign it and go on their way.”

 

Beaty Construction recently completed the concrete sidewalk that runs in front of Cadillac Jack’s and Munchies to help with access to both establishments.

 

The downtown parking garage is available and is a short walk to any of the downtown businesses.

Cadillac Jack’s remains open three nights a week (Thursday-Saturday). Munchies, a family-friendly restaurant that also has a bar area, continues to serve lunch and dinner.

 

Both Neice and Huntsman are excited about the end result of the construction process that will create a pedestrian-friendly quadrant in front of their respective businesses.

 

“It will be beautiful,” said Neice. “I don’t want to go negative on anything. I know Munchies is struggling. I am struggling. We just have to keep looking forward and saying our prayers.”

 

A third round of pandemic relief is expected to be released in April which will help businesses suffering.

 

“It’s so beautiful,” said Huntsman of the renderings hanging inside her business of what the new downtown area will look like once construction is complete. “We will have more (outdoor) seating. As long as we can make it to that point, it will be extremely worth it.”

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