TOLEDO, Ohio (WTVG) – When Kathy Cornelison found out about the Broadway Corridor Construction Project, she thought business would slow, but she never thought customers would stop coming altogether.
The shop was open for almost 20 years. Cornelison was forced to close her doors for good, selling her tire shop on Broadway Street because business was so bad. “As they started doing the construction work, my vehicles that needed help for tires, they couldn’t get down Broadway,” Cornelison said. When customers found out she was located on Broadway Street, they asked her for recommendations for tire shops in another part of town. “I had no idea I was going to lose the business,” Cornelison said.
Cornelison told her story in front of city leaders at a community meeting Thursday night. Her story resonated with community members. “Nobody should ever lose a business because of a construction project. No matter how well or poorly it was being planned out or executed,” said Ramon Perez, a community organizer consultant, who was hired by the City of Toledo to be a liaison for the South End neighborhood.
Cornelison said since the beginning of construction there has been a communication issue between the city and residents, and now it’s too late for her and her business.
“I really think they need to go out and talk to the people more,” Cornelison said.
In his new role as community liaison, Perez said he hopes to bridge the communication gap.
“If you really want to know what people are thinking in the community, you go out into the neighborhood and you door knock and you talk to them,” Perez said.
City leaders heard business owners concerns about losing revenue because of construction. Officials started offering $5,000 grants to hurting businesses on Broadway Street.
According to officials from the city, seven people have already accepted the money. Some business owners say they are grateful, but it may be too little, too late.
They are worried $5,000 won’t save them from going under between now and when the construction project is completed in July 2025. Cornelison said that she’s feels like she no longer has any stake in the situation. “I’ve lost my business … I mean I already lost it; I can’t sit here and fight for something that I don’t have anymore,” Cornelison said. She’s asking city leaders if she is eligible for the grant after her business went under. “I think I should be eligible for it even more because it’s closed, there’s nothing I can do,” Cornelison said.
For information and construction updates from the City of Toledo about Broadway construction, click here.
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