St. Augustine business owners experience fewer sales, visitors due to construction

Business owners have gotten a birds-eye view of demolition and construction on Hypolita Street, and for some it hasnt been a welcome sight.

Colleen Messner, owner of The Spice & Tea Exchange at 59 Hypolita St., said traffic to her business has decreased since work began.

And there have been some surprises.

I had a dump truck butt up against my door, she said. It really hurt us.

Several business owners and employees in the area said while they are looking forward to the benefits of the Downtown Improvement District project, the construction has come with a price in the form of slowdowns in sales and fewer visitors.

Construction began in April to improve Hypolita, Spanish and Treasury streets. The project includes brick pavers, new light fixtures and upgraded utilities.

The project cost is more than $3.3 million, which includes site furniture, construction inspection services and the cost of buying bricks, according to Reuben Franklin Jr., project engineer.

The funding comes from the citys storm water, utilities and general funds, and $750,000 is being paid by adjacent property owners and can be paid over 15 years.

The cost of construction alone is $2.7 million, according to Franklin.

Work on Hypolita Street is projected to be finished mid-October. The entire project is expected to be finished in April.

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St. Augustine business owners experience fewer sales, visitors due to construction