Restaurants in Dallas’ Deep Ellum neighborhood near downtown, specifically those on Commerce Street, say they have been affected by the ongoing public works being done by the city of Dallas and Oncor.
The work being done on Commerce Street has left restaurants without direct access to their facilities and left customers with the notion that the businesses are closed. It’s also left places like Cane Rosso and The Free Man Cajun Cafe & Lounge struggling for weeks to attract customers.
The street is partially closed on the east sidewalk of Commerce Street between South Good Latimer Expressway and Henry Street, which gives the impression that the places are not open or operational.
“Our business has definitely gone down around 70% or 75% for two months,” said Hollie Contreras, director of Events and Catering of Cane Rosso, in an interview with The Dallas Morning News. “It’s dramatic, very dramatic, and we’re not the only ones suffering. I think everybody here is.”
Cane Rosso specializes in Neapolitan-style pizzas. Much of its business is takeaway, which has also been affected because delivery drivers can’t park.
“It’s a nightmare. Our regular business has dropped completely low,” said Contreras. “It’s disheartening, and I know we always need improvements in our streets, but to take this much of an impact on the entire neighborhood, I think that’s what’s very upsetting.”
The work on Commerce Street is by the city of Dallas and Dallas-based utility company Oncor. It is part of the 2017 Bond Program, a city improvement project that was voted on and approved on Nov. 7, 2017, and contains 1,400 projects.
According to a City of Dallas spokesperson, the public works project is a complete street reconstruction that includes improvements to the drainage system, water mains and pedestrian improvements. Oncor is working on a project to relocate its electrical service duct bank.
Oncor’s project underway on Commerce Street is estimated to be completed in four weeks, according to the spokesperson.
The work began in this area, but the entire approved project will encompass Commerce Street from Good Latimer Expressway to Exposition Avenue.
Another affected business is The Free Man Cajun Cafe & Lounge, a restaurant at the corner of Commerce Street and Henry Street. The Free Man has been doubly struck as both streets have been closed.
“During the day is when it affects us the most, because at night we open the doors and let the music play, so people know we’re open,” Owner John Myers told The News. “Our business is down 25%.”
Only two weeks ago, Myers says, a Porta Potty was posted 10 feet from his front door, which kept his customers away, plus access to his parking lot is blocked.
“It’s terrible because, for some reason, they have cut us off in every direction, even on the sides. To get to us, you have to walk through a construction zone blocked off by two separate lines of police tape,” said Myers. “It’s a death knell.”
Businesses don’t know if there will be any support programs to help them cope with the losses.
The city spokesperson said the city and its contractor are coordinating with the Deep Ellum Foundation and local stakeholders to minimize the effects of construction.
