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Businesses at 21st and Urish get relief

Story by Kendall Jones (Contact)

10:34 p.m. Monday, August 25, 2008

There is a bit of relief for local businesses at the construction ravaged intersection of 21st and Urish. Monday, city leaders opened an entrance to the shopping center that is expected to increase traffic.

"We're making it," said Staci Dillingham, co-owner of Tailgators Sports Pub and Grub at 21st and Urish. "We're surviving."

For the past four months, bulldozers have been the most common vehicles around Dillingham's bar and it has taken a toll on business profits.

"Thank goodness for loyal customers or we wouldn't be where we are," Dillingham said. "We wouldn't still be open."

In July, business owners met with city leaders to try and develop a plan to increase traffic to the center. They came up with opening the west entrance to the Urish Center and the east entrance to Silver Lake Bank which connects both to 21st Street.

"They promised that our west entrance and exit would be open within 30 to 45 days and I think they've met that," Dillingham said. "We're happy with the progress and we hope that it just continues to go that way."

The increased traffic also comes with a catch for customers. It is illegal to cut through a shopping center without stopping, and if people try to do it, the city warns it will give out tickets.

"There is a chance that there will be some enforcement of those that are cutting through there," said City Spokesman David Bevens. "We do keep an eye on that usually when we open up a situation like this."

Dillingham sees things from a different point of view.

"I think any traffic we get a this point is a good thing," she said. "I'm not going to necessarily say that they shouldn't cut through, but I don't want people to get ticketed because then they may not come back."

However, Dillingham says the situation is easily fixed.

"Stop by, have a bite to eat, and then go through," she said.

In addition to this entrance, business owners tell me their communication with the city has also improved. Shop owners say they received an e-mail that let them know this entrance was going to open today and they are feeling a little better about the project.

The entire roundabout project is not expected to be completed until the end of November.