Cleveland Streetscaping Gives One Business Owner Thoughts of Moving

People know where to go to see Jackie Henegar.

After all, her shop, , has been in the same place on Cleveland Street for more than 50 years.

The window and awning company has survived economic booms and busts since 1954. But amid even the current economic climate, the next six months could be the most trying ever for the small business, as crews have closed Cleveland Street between Martin Luther King Jr. and Missouri Avenues as part of a $2.9 million streetscaping project.

Work started Feb. 7. Already workers have pulled the concrete sidewalks up. The disheveled piles sit in front of 1115 Cleveland Street - Douglas Manufacturing.

“I’ve had everybody complaining when they get here,” Henegar said Friday.

Yes, there is access to the business she said, there just are not enough signs to help drivers get in the parking lot. However, the city was working on increasing the signs for the business from four to eight on Friday.

“We still have good access and the people who use us are going to find that,” Henegar said.

What Henegar worries about is the six months the road will be closed while crews install new sidewalks, curbs and medians. The project includes putting Medjool date palms, crape myrtle and live oaks along the sidewalks and to reduce traffic to two lanes.

“It’s not an asset. I think it’s ridiculous,” Henegar said about the construction. Henegar remembers a few years back when Cleveland Street was closed for similar work between Myrtle and Osceola Avenues.

“The length of time they worked on that street basically put (the downtown stores) out of business,” Henegar said

Tony Saydi has owned the on Cleveland Street 23 years. The shop is just west of where the work is going on. Saydi does not think the construction will affect his business, yet.

“Whoever wants to eat a sandwich is going to come,” Saydi said, the sounds of the hot grill sizzling behind him.

However, in about six months construction will move between Myrtle and Martin Luther King Jr Avenues, right in front of Mr. Submarine.

And as condo towers have gone up in other parts of downtown, even the concrete skeleton of one looms across the street from Henegar's shop. She sees the future of Cleveland Street. And it probably won’t include Douglas Manufacturing.

For the first time in a long time Henegar might have to think about moving.