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Broadway Street construction causing some concern for businesses in Old South End

The city of Toledo heard concerns from the community Thursday. One Old South End business owner said sales are down about 50%.

TOLEDO, Ohio — Broadway Street is completely ripped up from Western Avenue to Stebbins Street, only leaving one lane of traffic going one-way.

The city wants to redo the street, extend the sidewalks, add new storm drains, and even install a bike lane.

While people in the area are excited about what's coming, they don't like the growing pains and want help from the city now.

Jessica Vallejo has a front-row seat to the construction on Broadway Street. She works at Sophia Quintero Art & Cultural Center, a non-profit located right in the middle of the construction. 

The center sells local art and honey, using the money from those sales to fund their community outreach. But Vallejo said there's been a decline in sales since the start of construction.

"We really still want to see people coming in the doors," Vallejo said. "But, we're unsure whether or not they know that we're open and how easily it is to walk through the front door."

Other businesses on Broadway Street have seen a decline, too.

The owner of La Paloma said they've lost 40-50% of revenue because of this construction and have even had to cut hours for employees.

City leaders got an earful from owners and people who live nearby. Toledo Deputy Mayor Karen Poore was there.

"It's a great opportunity for the city and the residents and business owners here in the Broadway corridor to hear each other out," Poore said.

Residents also voiced complaints that drivers are speeding through their neighborhoods trying to get around the construction. The city promised to make improvements as soon as possible.

"Some of the things that the residents and business asked for are very easy fixes," Poore said. "I think that you'll see better signage going up immediately."

Vallejo said she's glad the city of Toledo is working to find solutions and believes there's smooth sailing ahead.

"The process is very daunting while we stare at the mud piles, but we know that the end goal is to beautify the entire storefronts for all of these businesses," Vallejo said.

The contractor for the project said it's on track to be done by Thanksgiving.

Another community meeting has been set for Aug. 1 at 5:30 p.m. at the Sophia Quintero Arts and Cultural Center on Broadway Street.

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