The Lumbar in Birmingham Reports City Construction Project Impacts Business Flow

Delayed Construction Hits Patio Season Hard

BIRMINGHAM, Ala – Popular business, The Lumbar, was one of the first to be issued a shared spaces license by the city in 2020. However, according to owner, Rylie Hightower, they were forced to remove it in January in anticipation of a construction project that only started several months later. Business owner, Hightower has expressed that the late commencement has negatively impacted their operations, costing her thousands and the inability to reinstall the much-needed shared space after construction at Pepper Place.

Loss of Prime Patio Season Take A Toll

Reportedly, the delay has resulted in the business missing out on the sought-after patio season during the months of February, March, and April. Unfortunately, these months were traditionally popular for outdoor dining in Birmingham, says Hightower.

Pushing back further, she went on to say, “Construction actually didn’t start in front of our space until three months later. We had prime patio season in February, March, April that everybody loves to go out and visit their favorite patios in Birmingham and we did not have one. We also didn’t have any construction going in front of us.”

Pandemic Impact vs. Construction Impact

Hightower’s lament echoes the challenges many business owners have faced during the COVID-19 pandemic. However, in what can only be described as a compounded disadvantage, Hightower’s rued that the past six months have been tougher than the hardship she experienced during the health crisis.

“We actually had a busier spring in covid, a busier first half of the year during covid than we had this year because of this project,” Hightower points out.

Frustration Over Lack of Project Completion Information

Further adding to her frustration is the uncertainty surrounding the project closing date. The construction closer to her front entrance would impede access to her business making it almost impossible to stay open, she anticipates.

She elucidates, “Logistics of how we’re going to be able to stay open is going to be nearly impossible. There’s no way that the entirety of 29th street is going to be blocked off. We are the food and beverage establishment without a patio. We’re also the only establishment that only has one entrance for patrons.”

City of Birmingham’s Statement

In response to these concerns, the city of Birmingham responded, “The objective of the 2nd Avenue South Complete Streets project includes transportation improvements focusing on pedestrian accessibility along this corridor. Sidewalk, bike lane, landscaping, lighting, and drainage improvements are included. The project began July 24, 2023, and was projected to last about a year. It is expected to be substantially complete by the end of this month.”

Conclusion

While ongoing construction and infrastructure improvement projects are essential for the city, they can have significant impacts on businesses. Such challenges require efficient planning, timely communication, and active management to mitigate as much as possible the potential damage on small and medium-sized enterprises, the cornerstone of local economies. A delicate balance must be struck to ensure both city development and business growth flourish hand in hand.