H Street Construction Bad For Business

A construction project along H Street in Northeast D.C. has some business owners concerned about their profits.

Six months ago, the District and the Department of Transportation began a $30 million Great Streets Initiative aimed at improving infrastructure and helping economic development.

Instead, some business owners like Khadijah Bronson, who owns Spoiled and Rotten Kids Boutique and Spa on the 1200 block of H Street, say the construction is hurting business.

"Business is slow because there's nowhere for my customers to park, and they get frustrated and they want to leave," said Bronson. "They drive around."

For weeks, several businesses have been blocked by jersey walls and orange fences. Merchants say it makes it difficult for customers to come.

DDOT spokesman, John Lisle says the project has been in the works for years and that there were numerous meetings involving the agency and community members. He says the Great Streets Initiative is about improving the corridor and bringing in attractions like a trolley system. The tracks are being laid now as part of the construction.

"Obviously, whenever you have significant construction project like this, there's going to be some pain but we worked very hard with the merchants and the community to minimize that pain," said Lisle.

Lisle also says there is a project management office with an officer stationed on H Street for merchants and residents to immediately address their concerns. Still, some merchants say it's not enough.

Kim Ngyuen owns Dee and Kim's Nail Spa on H Street. She says since the construction began, business has been very slow. She now wonders how it'll survive without the normal flow of traffic.

Meanwhile, others are questioning why the project has progressed in what they believe has been a slow and disorganized way. Bronson believes District leaders would not allow a similar situation to occur in other more affluent parts of the city.

District officials say a shuttle service has been set up to help bring customers to the H Street businesses. It operated after 5 p.m. from Gallery Place to Minnesota Avenue.

DDOT expects the H street project to be completed by July 2011.