As construction progresses on Briggs Street in Erie, local businesses and residents are feeling the impact of the extensive redevelopment. While crews work to enhance accessibility and attract new retail opportunities, many community members express concerns about the ongoing disruptions, including traffic delays and reduced foot traffic.
The project aims to revitalize, but its effects are already being felt across the vibrant neighborhood.“There’s a lot more backed up cars…parking is a lot harder to find as well,” says Grant Nemeth, a senior at Erie who has worked at Sweets on Briggs Street for the last few years, “the amount of customers that we get hasn’t really changed.”
Sweets, one of the many prominent businesses on Briggs Street, is arguably the most popular among them. Despite the ongoing construction in the area, which has caused significant changes in the flow of traffic, Sweets hasn’t seen any major changes in the number of customers coming in. However, employees describe an increase in car traffic, causing the parking spots to fill up quickly along the sidewalk.“Sometimes I have to park like a block or two away,” says Jayden Castro, a junior at Erie who also works at Sweets, “that can get pretty annoying.”
When asked about the car traffic around the restaurant, it was a common answer that employees have noticed some road rage among drivers. “But we help them die it down with the ice cream,” says Jayden Castro, hinting at how the sweet treats can help ease the frustration of those stuck in traffic.
Employees who work in Old Town have described slight changes to their daily routine, particularly in their commute to and from work. “The main change is like when I’ve had to leave, I’ve had to leave a bit earlier to make it on time to work,” says Grant Nemeth. This adjustment is necessary to navigate the increased traffic and find parking.
One key issue that was brought to attention by community members was how the businesses may be trying to help the employees who have to deal with this traffic, “we’ve brought on some new hires. That’s more people who will be able to help fill in if anyone can’t get to work on time,” explained Nemeth. This strategy not only helps manage the workload but also ensures that the business can continue to operate smoothly despite the challenges posed by the construction and increased traffic.
These disruptions occur daily for the Briggs street high school workers, but the customers aren’t as used to it, so the workers try their hardest to ensure the customers happiness. Braylon Toliver, a junior at Erie High school and employee on Briggs street, emphasized “I just like to play music…. I also ask the customers about the construction and if it bothers them, to see how we can help.”
The redevelopment of Briggs Street in Erie is a double-edged sword for the local community. While the long-term goal is to enhance the area and attract new businesses and more customers,
the immediate impact on traffic and parking is undeniable. Local businesses like Sweets on Briggs Street are adapting to these changes, with employees adjusting their routines to cope with the increased car traffic and parking challenges.
Despite these disruptions, the resilience of the community shines through as they continue to support their favorite local spots, hoping for a brighter and more accessible future once construction is complete.
