NAMPA - The city of Nampa is beginning a $2.8 million construction project right in the heart of downtown.
It’s going to be a headache for drivers, businesses and their customers, but both the city and local businesses believe it’s going to be worth it.
“We are fairly busy most of the time I would say," said Chloe Hanson, event coordinator for Flying M Coffee Garage.
She says mornings tend to be the busiest.
"Then we have lots of students from NNU here in the evening studying, our trivia nights on Tuesday are really popular, we're always really jam-packed on those days as well," said Hanson.
They're hoping it stays that way this summer since the coffee shop is located in the heart of downtown Nampa, right where the construction project is about to begin.
"We are concerned about the construction because customers will have to make a conscious effort to get to the downtown businesses," said Hanson.
The project includes rebuilding 2nd and 3rd streets between 12th and 16th avenues south.
“The asphalt is deteriorated and some of the corners need work,” said assistant city engineer Jeff Barnes.
Barnes says this is part of the downtown revitalization project. The city will be repaving the streets, redoing lighting, updating crosswalks and adding and improving other amenities.
“These are two of our main streets through our downtown corridor,” said Barnes. “Once these are improved and people see what the intersections can be like it will help the existing businesses down here flourish and also attract new businesses.”
“Having the new curbs and sidewalk will be really beneficial for all our foot traffic as well, so we're looking forward to that,” said Hanson.
But to get there the work may be an inconvenience to some. The project is expected to last into August, some parking spaces will be lost and at times the roads will be down to one lane, in some cases, limiting access to businesses.
“On 14th, for example, people won’t be able to get to parking from 2nd, customers will have to either go down 12th or access it on first,” said Hanson.
Even still, businesses remain focused on the overall goal for the downtown area.
“We're just hoping that it will continue to improve and it will encourage people to walk downtown more,” said Hanson. “We're always hoping that foot traffic will improve those so many wonderful businesses downtown.”
The construction is going to cause some inconveniences, especially for local businesses. With some lane closures, accessing those businesses will be limited. But the city planned for that, and to help local businesses they're encouraging people to shop local with a social media campaign called a “cash mob.”
“Downtown Nampa through their Facebook page they're going to be promoting different types of businesses each week, and customers who go visit those businesses and post a picture of their experience there will be entered to win different drawings for downtown business gift cards,” said Hanson.
“If you've been to downtown Nampa you know the potential here, so we encourage people to come check it out and help out the local businesses during construction,” said Barnes.
The city has arranged for two hours of free parking for customers in the Stampede Lot at 1218 2nd Street South. Customers can also park for one hour free in the downtown garage adjacent to the Nampa Public Library.