Another Sugar House business says roadwork is costing it
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A waffle shop in Salt Lake City's Sugar House neighborhood says prolonged road construction in the area is harming business and driving away customers.
Why it matters: It's the latest local business to voice its struggles as expansive roadwork and rapid development have taken over one of the city's busiest neighborhoods.
- The first of several construction projects funded partly by an $87 million voter-approved bond began in 2020.
Driving the news: Bruges Belgian Bistro posted a video on social media this week detailing the hardships and sharp drop in foot traffic in recent years.
- The video claimed the city broke the restaurant's sprinkler system, filled its patio with dust and ignored its concerns. The owners said their food truck is helping them make ends meet.
The latest: Work on Highland Drive, where the bistro is located, wrapped up in January. Construction along 2100 South is on track to be finished this fall, according to city leaders.
- Once completed, the project is expected to improve walkability and address much-needed repairs.
What they're saying: Michael Eccleston, who co-owns Quarters Arcade Bar's Sugar House and downtown locations, said the neighborhood has been under constant construction.
- "I do hear from almost everyone I talk to that they avoid the whole area altogether," he told Axios. "We need neighbors to visit more or we won't be renewing our lease."
The other side: The city has received positive feedback from small businesses since the Highland Drive project finished, Andrew Wittenberg, a spokesperson for the Salt Lake City Mayor's Office, told Axios in a statement.
- Wittenberg highlighted the Mendenhall administration's construction mitigation grant program, noting the bistro applied and received a $3,000 grant in January.
- In response to the bistro's specific claims, Wittenberg acknowledged landscaping issues caused by construction have been resolved but took longer than anticipated.
What they're saying: "The project has taken time, but in the end, Sugar House businesses and residents will benefit from clean water, reliable utility infrastructure and multi-modal travel options that help clean the air," he said.
The big picture: Several establishments in the area have closed amid the roadwork, including beloved staple SugarHouse Barbeque Co., which shuttered last year after being in business for 26 years.
- Yes, but: New eateries like Hearth and Hill, Hill's Kitchen and Sugar House Station moved into the neighborhood this year, pointing to economic growth.
What we're watching: Whether businesses can stay afloat until construction ends.