NW 14th Street businesses struggle, surrounded by road work

Since April, Northwest 14th Street in Bend has been under construction. When the $3.5 million project is complete, the road will be repaired, a bike lane with a buffer added and sidewalks improved.

But during the construction period, businesses that line 14th Street are struggling.

Cabin 22 owner Mitch Cole said Thursday all the road closures and construction equipment have taken a toll.

“The work that they did was fantastic. It does look phenomenal here,” Cole said. “But we definitely saw a reduction in business during that time. As I said, we’re a very outdoor/indoor type of facility ,and our patio with the construction right on it, I’m sure it hurt that a little bit.”

Other businesses hurt by the construction include Baldy’s Barbeque, which has had to change its hours and days open because of the construction.

Also, the owner of Sip Wine Bar said the construction, which pushed into her parking lot and next to her patio, forced her to close the business completely.

Roxana Ruiz works at Taco Salsa on 14th Street and Galveston Avenue. She said business has dropped off dramatically.

“We slowed down so much, compared to the previous three years,” Ruiz said. “Fourth of July is our top busiest time of the year, and compared to all of the past four years or so, it’s actually decreased. A lot of people are not coming in. The streets are not as busy as they usually are. Our sales have been lowering too, compared to past years.”

Cascade West Grub & Alehouse also has struggled with the construction, according to chef Ryan Roque.

“We wouldn’t get our first customer until noon, and people just trickle in one at a time, compared to groups like they used to,” Roque said. “Some people have to park in the back, and sometimes it’s a hassle dealing with the detours, dealing with the construction, the flaggers telling you you can’t go a certain way when you need to go that way to get home.”

The city of Bend said the reason it opted not to have around the clock construction is because of the city’s prescribed construction hours, which are between 7 a.m. – 6:30 p.m.

The 14th Street construction is expected to be complete by the end of August or early September.

For more information: https://www.bendoregon.gov/city-projects/city-infrastructure-projects/transportation-go-bond/14th-st-improvements.