Created: March 11, 2021 10:46 PM
(ABC 6 News) - Summer is coming and a sure sign are those orange road construction cones everywhere, blocking everything it seems.
Last summer, it caused several businesses to close in Rochester.
Now the city is planning two new construction projects right next to each other,
one is on North Broadway Avenue and the other is the Elton Hills Drive Bridge project.
For many businesses in our area, they’re saying they’re hurting enough already. They should think about it before they do construction or even close the streets. It s going to be hard for us to get some customers,” Marcos Lara, owner of Fiesta Cafe Bar said.
The estimated cost, however, remains $262,000 beyond existing funds.
State Destination Medical Center funds are expected to contribute $848,000 this year, and city staff has identified $198,000 in additional funds.
Mayor Kim Norton, who serves as vice chairwoman on the state DMC Corp. board, said she believes the board supports contributing more to the project in future years.
Deputy City Administrator Aaron Parrish said the $484,000 was all that has been approved.
“We initially requested a higher amount that would have included the entire project,” he said.
No additional funding is earmarked in the multiyear DMC spending plan, which drew criticism from Norton and former council president Randy Staver last year. At the time, DMCC board members voiced a willingness to consider additional funds in the future, noting the plan is updated each year.