NEWBURGH — Members of the city’s business community spoke out about perceived harm to their businesses caused by the extension of the Liberty Streetscapes project, Monday evening. The project, consisting of the complete reconstruction of Liberty Street between Broadway and Ann Street, was slated to be completed by July 24, 2021.
The estimated completion date for the construction has been pushed back to September of 2021. Business owners claim dust and lack of parking are affecting the number of patrons they can serve. Since June, business owners within the Liberty Street corridor have had no out-front parking. Both sides of the street are un-walkable and neither side can accommodate vehicle parking, according to business owners.
Mayor Torrence Harvey said the extension seemed unfair.
“Asking for an extension that goes well beyond a month- it does seem a little unfair to the businesses and the consumers that shop on the Liberty Street corridor,” said Harvey. City Manager Todd Venning said the loss of parking is not scarce enough to warrant cessation of the parking ordinance.
“As far as parking, at this time we’re not changing the parking ordinances,” said Venning. “It’s about two blocks that are closed and there should be sufficient parking for you to park around the corner and walk over. It’s just this Liberty Street between here and Broadway,” he said.
Owner of the local restaurant and music venue TheWherehouse, Michelle Basch, said herself, a barbershop, and a design studio within a block of her business have felt the impact of constant construction. Patrons are unable to visit because of parking or confused about how to get to storefronts because of cordoned-off sidewalks.
“These people can’t get to us. They have no idea how to get to us. They can’t park and I’m not talking about parking in front. My customers are not used to parking in front of the restaurant,” said Basch. “They’ll park a block away, but there’s no parking to be had and that is the issue,” she said.
The Liberty Streetscapes project has been pushed to September 30th, which is according to the Newburgh DPW an expedited rate from what was originally estimated.
