State Street Business Owners Hope Renovation Brings Business
Some Businesses Report Losses During Construction
Updated: 8:07 am CDT October 7, 2008
MADISON, Wis. -- State Street officially reopened on Monday with a ceremonial ribbon cutting.
VIDEO: Watch The ReportThe ceremony marked the end of a four-year, $17 million project that renovated the street from the Capitol all the way to the University of Wisconsin-Madison campus."It's easier to maintain and take care of," said Mayor Dave Cieslewicz. "I think it has a much more classic look. This look will really serve us very well for decades and decades to come. I want to thank everyone who was involved in the design and construction."Business owners along State Street couldn't be happier to see the heavy equipment gone."I think when you have the farmers market going on and people are up there and look down (the street) and don't see great big tractors and all that type of thing and barriers they'll think, 'Oh it's open,'" said Sandy Glaeve, owner of The Peacock.State Street businesses are hoping that the end of construction will translate into money in the register.John Williamson's said his Sports World store took a hit of 30 percent during construction.He said he's not optimistic the street's new look will jump-start business."I don't think the impact of having it redone is going to be virtually any different than if it was the way it was because it wasn't really restrictive before," said Williamson.Glaeve said her business didn't see a loss, and she believes the improvements will help bring in customers."In many ways it looks so nice," said Glaeve. "Everything is fresh and new -- it needed that. Our sidewalks needed to be done. People were noticing that things needed to be taken care of."But Glaeve may be hoping for a post-construction boost in economic times that aren't so friendly to retail."Construction you can do something about –- the economy is going to take a while," said Williamson."The economy is affecting the students and you see it as much with the students' parents who are kind of saying, 'Let's wait and see how it goes, or wait and see if you really need it,'" said Williamson."Fortunately for me, I have a lot of things that are affordable," said Glaeve. They're not going to keep dinner off the table for anybody.""I think we'll probably notice it more come holiday time," said Glaeve. "I think that will be the true test as to how people are going to spend their money in that time."The money for the renovation came from a combination of city and federal funds. Much is credited to earmarks by Rep. Tammy Baldwin.State Street's reconstruction is part of the State Street strategic plan that was adopted in 1999. Construction of side streets, one block off State Street in each direction, is set to begin with West Gilman in the spring.
VIDEO: Watch The ReportThe ceremony marked the end of a four-year, $17 million project that renovated the street from the Capitol all the way to the University of Wisconsin-Madison campus."It's easier to maintain and take care of," said Mayor Dave Cieslewicz. "I think it has a much more classic look. This look will really serve us very well for decades and decades to come. I want to thank everyone who was involved in the design and construction."Business owners along State Street couldn't be happier to see the heavy equipment gone."I think when you have the farmers market going on and people are up there and look down (the street) and don't see great big tractors and all that type of thing and barriers they'll think, 'Oh it's open,'" said Sandy Glaeve, owner of The Peacock.State Street businesses are hoping that the end of construction will translate into money in the register.John Williamson's said his Sports World store took a hit of 30 percent during construction.He said he's not optimistic the street's new look will jump-start business."I don't think the impact of having it redone is going to be virtually any different than if it was the way it was because it wasn't really restrictive before," said Williamson.Glaeve said her business didn't see a loss, and she believes the improvements will help bring in customers."In many ways it looks so nice," said Glaeve. "Everything is fresh and new -- it needed that. Our sidewalks needed to be done. People were noticing that things needed to be taken care of."But Glaeve may be hoping for a post-construction boost in economic times that aren't so friendly to retail."Construction you can do something about –- the economy is going to take a while," said Williamson."The economy is affecting the students and you see it as much with the students' parents who are kind of saying, 'Let's wait and see how it goes, or wait and see if you really need it,'" said Williamson."Fortunately for me, I have a lot of things that are affordable," said Glaeve. They're not going to keep dinner off the table for anybody.""I think we'll probably notice it more come holiday time," said Glaeve. "I think that will be the true test as to how people are going to spend their money in that time."The money for the renovation came from a combination of city and federal funds. Much is credited to earmarks by Rep. Tammy Baldwin.State Street's reconstruction is part of the State Street strategic plan that was adopted in 1999. Construction of side streets, one block off State Street in each direction, is set to begin with West Gilman in the spring. Copyright 2008 by Channel 3000. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
