NORFOLK, Va. — Construction is heating up on Granby Street as crews in Norfolk start work on a years-long project making improvements in the heart of Norfolk’s Neon District.
“Hopefully, it’ll attract more customers,” said Michael Benton, the owner of Stark and Legum.
The city’s project includes reconstructing some roads and sidewalks, along with other infrastructure improvements.
“So, there’s some initial anxiety because you immediately think about the process,” said Brian Zawacki, the store manager of Zeke’s Beans and Bowls. “But ultimately, I think it’s a long-overdue project .”
Construction on Granby Street is closing off a lane of traffic from Brambleton Ave to Olney Rd. Benton said this project is exciting but the work here is causing a major headache for his store.
“It’s actually slowing business down for sure,” he said.
Benton said his customers are having a hard time trying to park in the area as crews work on the street right in front of his store.
“Parking has always been a problem," Benton said. "But now with this going on, because you can’t park on the street or anything like that.”
He fears the work being done here is stopping new customers from coming in.
“Customers driving past and they go, ‘Oh, there’s Stark and Legum,’” Benton said.
Just up the street, Zawacki said he’s not seeing any impact on business right now. Though, he worries about what could happen when construction moves up to the shop’s doorstep.
“We’ve worked pretty closely with the Neon District about how we’re going to have people access our business,” he said. “So, there are a little bit of nerves but I’m optimistic.”
Right now, he’s holding onto hope that this project will make serious changes in this neighborhood.
“This area has taken a dip in the last couple of years but I feel like it’s on the right trajectory,” Zawacki said.