Construction frustrates businesses along streetcar route

Streetcar construction in downtown Kansas City is hurting some businesses by making it tough for customers to get to restaurants and shops.

Anton Kotar said construction crews opened up the street in front of his burger restaurant on Wednesday. He said his lunch business is half of what he hopes for.

"My optimism comes from the fact that my background is in construction," Kotar said.

He said he doesn't panic if he comes in to work and finds natural gas service stopped for a bit.

Other businesses up and down the two-mile streetcar line have faced similar problems. Some said they were not prepared for the amount of road construction and the difficulties facing their customers.

Main Street in downtown Kansas City remains open in both directions, but it's peppered with orange cones. Navigating through the area where construction is going on can be a challenge.

"It's hard to say we'll have minimum disruption when we have maximum damage," Kotar said. "The water and sewer lines are pretty beat up in this town."

Downtown and the streetcar planners are trying to support the businesses with promotions. Anton's Burgers was featured as the gathering spot for the weekly Lunch Bunch promotion. Kansas City Mayor Sly James sent a tweet encouraging people to eat there.

Next week, a different business along the streetcar construction zone will get the spotlight.

Streetcar construction is scheduled to be finished in September.

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Construction frustrates businesses along streetcar route