Downtown Road Construction Has Begun: How's Business, Birmingham?

There's still snow on the ground but construction season has already begun in downtown Birmingham. 

Construction along Pierce and Merrill streets in downtown Birmingham kicked off earlier this week, creating an obstacle for pedestrians and a challenge for local businesses.

Approved in late 2012, the project stretches from the intersection of Pierce and Maple, all the way to Pierce and Merrill, by Birmingham City Hall and the Pierce Street Parking Garage. Construction then extends down Merrill until it intersects with South Old Woodward, by the Birmingham 8.

Already tired of the construction? Here's what will be done this spring and summer:

• Install and replace all needed water mains and sewer lines in the area, particularly those lines that are more than 50 years old.
• Lay new concrete on both streets.
• Replace sidewalks that are not in conformance with current design standards.
• Remove and replace all struggling and dying street trees.
• Remove and replace decorative street lights. 

According to City Engineer Paul O'Meara, the two blocks of Pierce was first paved in 1915 while Merrill Street was paved in 1929. Many of the decorative street lamps in the area, he said, haven't been replaced since the 1970's.

The project is expected to wrap up by the end of June. All traffic will be blocked to the area during most of construction. Workers will be on the scene generally between 7 a.m.-7 p.m. Monday-Saturday.

From the very beginning, business owners said the construction could be an "absolute crusher" to businesses and restaurants, particularly during the valuable spring and summer months, when outdoor dining is popular. 

"We all rely on the summer," Thomas Bloom, owner of Toast Birmingham, said during a July 23 meeting. "Summer really pushes us through the year." 

Still, many businesses, even Toast, have been making the best of the construction. Toast is currently offering free valet service while also giving away brunch for four or dinner for two once a week for the entirety of construction. 

For more information on the project, visit www.bhamgov.org/piercemerrill. If you're a business impacted by the construction, join the Pierce & Merrill Improvement Project Constant Contact group to stay connected with updates from the project.

How has the construction impacted you? Is it already a hassle?