Ottawa Street business owners beg construction to finish

WINDSOR ON., Friday September 13 2013 – Major Construction crew is working every day to complete the construction on Ottawa Street. (PHOTO by Jolene Perron)

by Jolene Perron

According to merchants on Ottawa Street, what was once a “quiet and peaceful” place to shop and live has become a “disaster zone.”

Construction has been ongoing since May. Water mains and sewers were the causes for the upgrades. The street has not received any upgrades since its grand reopening in 1983.

In the 1920s, the street was just a mud road serving one purpose – connecting Walker Road. with Howard Avenue to ease the flow of traffic. Businesses began opening up on the street five years later. The oldest surviving business is Freeds, which takes up the entire 1500 block.

Although the upgrades are necessary, Gerald Freed, second generation owner, said “there was nothing to be ashamed of” to begin with.

“We just hope they get done the entire street well before the Christmas season is upon us,” said Freed. “We are thankful now that the side streets are now accessible.”

Freed also said he was happy to report there was no loss in sales for his store during the construction.

However, many businesses are suffering because of the construction. Terri Birkner, owner of the Vintage Witch Shoppe, said where businesses are concerned “they’ve virtually destroyed it.” However, she said she is impressed with the work ethic of the Major Construction team.

“I was really disappointed in the beginning because I heard so many horror stories about them standing around,” said Birkner. “It’s not true. They take their breaks and then the go right back to work, they’re never standing around. I have nothing but praise for Major Construction.”

Residents have had to “trip” up and down the uneven pathways to get to work, go shopping and even go home.

“It’s taking longer than we thought but I just am glad they’re doing it,” said Kelly Flynn, who has lived on a side street for two years. “It feels like it needs to be brought back to life a little bit. I think it’s a good thing.”

Flynn said the street has many amenities and is usually a beautiful place. Her grandmother used to live there, so she has been visiting the Ottawa Street neighborhood since she was a child. Now she raises her daughter in the same neighborhood.

Construction is expected to wrap up soon and residents and business owners said they are crossing the days off their calendars.