News Summary
Deep Ellum businesses in Dallas are facing significant challenges due to ongoing construction on Commerce Street, resulting in substantial revenue drops. Local business owners report foot traffic declines ranging from 21% to 80%. Despite efforts by the Deep Ellum Foundation to add more parking spaces, the impact on local economies is severe, prompting city officials to seek solutions. The $30 million project aims to improve infrastructure but extends until early 2027, leaving shopkeepers concerned about their futures and customer perceptions amid the disruption.
Dallas: Deep Ellum Businesses Experience Significant Revenue Drop Due to Ongoing Street Construction
The neighborhood of Deep Ellum in Dallas is facing considerable challenges as ongoing construction on Commerce Street continues to impact local businesses. Since the project commenced last fall, many business owners report a sharp decline in customer activity, leading to financial hardships and concerns about the project’s lengthy timeline.
Extent of Business Impact
Since the start of construction, foot traffic on Commerce Street has dropped substantially. Several business owners have observed declines ranging from 21% to as high as 80%, depending on the individual business and time period.
- St. Pete’s Dancing Marlin, owned by Pete Zotos, has reported a revenue decrease of approximately 21% since construction began.
- Dot’s Hop House & Cocktail Courtyard, managed by Jeff Brightwell, has seen declines fluctuate between 30% and 40%, varying by month.
- Arch by Suki, owned by Sukhee Suwal, has experienced an 80% reduction in foot traffic, leading her to consider relocating her business.
The reduction in foot traffic has also contributed to parking difficulties; customers report challenges in finding available parking spaces, with some facing increased parking costs. In response, the Deep Ellum Foundation has added over 1,000 parking spaces since the pandemic to alleviate congestion and accommodate visitors, though business owners argue that these measures are insufficient amid ongoing construction disruptions.
Details of the Construction Project
The $30 million project aims to overhaul Commerce Street by converting it from a one-way to a two-way street. The scope also includes improvements to drainage systems and sidewalks to enhance the area’s infrastructure. The Dallas Department of Transportation & Public Works is spearheading the effort and plans to complete the work by December 2026.
The project is expected to last until the first quarter of 2027. While similar initiatives on nearby Elm Street have been completed under a comparable timeline, delays and extended disruption are still concerns among local business owners.
Community and City Response
City officials, including City Councilmember Jesse Moreno, are aware of the impact on local businesses. Moreno has indicated plans to meet with business owners and representatives from Oncor, a utility company involved in the project, to discuss concerns and explore potential solutions.
Some businesses have resorted to using signs to inform customers that they remain open despite visible construction barriers. However, many visitors perceive these businesses as closed due to the extensive construction activity and barriers, further reducing walk-in traffic.
To address these issues, the city plans to improve signage across the area, aiming to better inform visitors that businesses are operational during the construction.
Background and Context
Deep Ellum’s ongoing construction is part of a broader effort to modernize and improve the neighborhood’s infrastructure. Previous street projects in area such as Elm Street have been completed within similar timeframes, but the current project on Commerce Street is notable for its extended timeline and scale.
The project’s aims include not only enhancing street infrastructure but also fostering economic growth by making the area more accessible and pedestrian-friendly. Despite these long-term benefits, immediate impacts include decreased foot traffic and revenue losses for local businesses, prompting community concern and discussions around mitigation strategies.
Summary
As Deep Ellum continues to develop its streetscape, local businesses are navigating significant short-term challenges. With construction ongoing until early 2027, business owners are seeking city support to mitigate the economic impact. The city remains committed to completing the project while improving communication with the public to ensure that visitors and residents are aware that commerce is still active amid major infrastructure improvements.
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Additional Resources
- NBC DFW: Deep Ellum Bars & Restaurants Say Construction Hurting Business
- Wikipedia: Deep Ellum
- NBC DFW: Deep Ellum Business Owners Say Construction is Hurting Business
- Google Search: Deep Ellum construction impact
- WFAA: Deep Ellum Construction Continues to Strain Small Businesses
- Google Scholar: Deep Ellum construction effects
- NBC DFW: Social Media Post Highlights Deep Ellum Business Concerns During Construction
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Deep Ellum
- WFAA: Deep Ellum Businesses Still Feel Impact of Construction
- Google News: Deep Ellum business challenges
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RALEIGH STAFF WRITER The RALEIGH STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HERERaleigh.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Raleigh, Wake County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as the North Carolina State Fair, Raleigh Arts Festival, and the Hopscotch Music Festival. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Greater Raleigh Chamber of Commerce and Visit Raleigh, plus leading businesses in technology and education that power the local economy such as Red Hat and NC State University. As part of the broader HERE network, including HEREAsheville.com, HERECharlotte.com, HEREGreensboro.com, and HEREOBX.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into North Carolina's dynamic landscape.
