July 21, 2024
Let’s Come Together to Help our Downtown Small Businesses Survive During Center Street Underpass Closure
By: John Crowder
Back in the 1980’s, while living in North San Diego County, my best friend at the time owned a small yogurt shop. The shop was the only source of income he had to support his growing family. One summer, the city where he had set up his shop decided to pave the street on which his business, and other small businesses, were located. The resulting street closure, which took place during the busiest time of the year and went on for weeks, brought all the businesses to a dead stop. My friend, along with several others, was so impacted that his business went under.
The decisions made and projects undertaken by local government impact all of us, but perhaps no group is more impacted than small business owners. Usually started with a debt burden and operating on thin margins, 20% of small businesses fail in the first year and about 50% will be gone within 5 years. When local government projects are undertaken that effectively reduce the number of customers they have, the negative consequences for the businesses can be swift and unrelenting.
Merchants in downtown Pocatello are currently experiencing such a business crisis with the ongoing closure of the Center Street underpass. As noted in a recent article, (Pocatello Downtown Merchants Desperately Seek Reopening of Center Street Underpass | Observer News Group (pocatellochubbuckobserver.com)) business has fallen for some of them by as much as 2/3 during the closure.
I’m writing today for three reasons.
- First, to urge the City of Pocatello to take immediate action to reopen the underpass.
- Second, to ask you to add your voice to those calling for the reopening of the underpass.
- Third, to encourage downtown business customers, and perhaps new customers, to make an extra effort to patronize them during this difficult time.
Yes, closing the Center Street access means that some of us have to go a bit out of the way to get downtown, but there are still two routes open that will lead you to the downtown area without taking too much time out of your day. From the south, cross at Benton Street, then go right on Main. From the North, take US 30 W to East Gould and then go left on Arthur.
Downtown businesses are a vital part of our city. They not only help revitalize our historic downtown, but many contribute through local charitable giving. Let’s pull together to help them in their time of need.
