N※N

Construction along Maple Street hurting Benson businesses

  //business-finance.news-articles.net/content/202 .. long-maple-street-hurting-benson-businesses.html
  Published in Business and Finance on Tuesday, September 30th 2025 at 18:11 GMT by WOWT.com
          ^{🞛 This publication is a summary or evaluation of another publication 🞛 This publication contains editorial commentary or bias from the source}

Construction on Maple Street Drives Benson’s Downtown Businesses Into a Traffic‑Jammed Rut

The once‑quiet, brick‑lined stretch of Maple Street that has long served as the heart of Benson’s historic downtown is now a buzzing epicenter of activity – not because of a new boutique or art gallery, but because of a sprawling construction project that is disrupting traffic, eroding footfall and putting a tangible strain on the local economy. The story, first reported by WOWT on September 30, 2025, follows the progress of a major infrastructure upgrade that is reshaping the city’s commercial fabric and raises questions about how municipalities balance growth with the wellbeing of their businesses.

1. The Project at a Glance

The construction in question is part of the state‑backed “Maple Street Mobility Initiative,” a $12 million undertaking aimed at modernizing the street’s drainage system, widening sidewalks, and installing a new street‑level transit hub. According to the city’s Department of Public Works, the upgrades will replace antiquated culverts, introduce permeable paving, and create a two‑lane bike path that will run parallel to the existing roadway.

Construction began on August 15, 2025, with an anticipated completion date of December 15, 2025. City officials emphasize that the project is designed to improve safety for pedestrians and cyclists, reduce flooding during heavy rain, and accommodate the growing needs of Benson’s expanding downtown.

However, the work has forced a near‑total closure of the northbound lane and the removal of all street‑side storefront signage on a 0.5‑mile stretch. A temporary traffic detour now diverts all traffic onto Main Street, which has a capacity for only half the usual volume.

2. The Impact on Local Commerce

A handful of business owners have been among the first to speak out. In a statement to WOWT, Maria Gonzales, owner of the “Maple & Mints” bakery, says the detour has “cut my customer footfall by 30% in the last two weeks.” The bakery, which has been a staple of Benson’s morning routine for 15 years, has seen sales decline sharply as passersby are forced to navigate the detour on Main Street.

Renee Carter, who runs a boutique clothing shop on Maple, has seen a comparable drop in sales. “I used to see 20–25 customers every morning. Now, the only people who come are the ones who actually live in the area,” she laments. “It’s not just the traffic – the lack of signage has also made it harder for people to find us.”

The situation is particularly acute for businesses that rely heavily on foot traffic. WOWT notes that a survey conducted by the Benson Economic Development Board (BEDS) in late September found that 62% of surveyed merchants on Maple Street had experienced a decline in sales of 20% or more, while 15% reported an 80% or greater drop.

3. Community Voices

The construction has galvanized the community into a debate that stretches beyond the immediate financial impact. City councilmember Alan Liu acknowledges that while the upgrades are essential, the city has a responsibility to mitigate short‑term pain. “We’re coordinating with local businesses to ensure they’re not left out in the cold,” he says. “We’re setting up a temporary signage system and arranging for a shuttle that will take customers to the nearby coffee shop on Main Street.”

A group of merchants formed an informal coalition, the Maple Street Business Owners’ Alliance (MSBOA). Their petition, posted on the city’s website and shared on social media, asks for expedited completion and better communication about the project timeline. The MSBOA has also requested the city provide a “traffic management plan” that includes real‑time updates on construction progress.

City officials have promised weekly briefings and a “construction impact hotline” (extension 212). The hotline, which will run 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday, is intended to answer questions about detours and provide updates on traffic flow.

4. The City’s Response

The city’s Department of Transportation (DOT) has stated that the construction schedule is tight but that safety remains paramount. DOT Director Lydia Martinez explained, “We’re using a phased approach to ensure that work proceeds as quickly as possible while keeping pedestrians safe. All workers are wearing high‑visibility vests and the area is marked with reflective cones.”

In a city‑wide press release, Martinez also highlighted the city’s funding plan: “The project is financed through a combination of state infrastructure grants, a municipal bond, and a small business development fund set up by the city. We’re also looking into grant opportunities for affected merchants.”

To ease the burden on merchants, the city’s economic development office is launching a Business Recovery Grant Program. Eligible businesses may receive up to $5,000 to cover lost revenue or to help set up temporary storefronts on Main Street. The program, announced on the BEDS website, requires a brief application detailing the business’s projected loss and mitigation steps taken.

5. The Broader Implications

Beyond the immediate economic fallout, the Maple Street construction has spotlighted a broader trend in small‑town America: balancing infrastructural upgrades with the sustainability of local businesses. WOWT’s investigative piece links to an academic article published in the Journal of Urban Planning that argues for a “just‑transition” framework when major projects threaten small enterprises.

The academic article, accessible via a link from the WOWT story, argues that “cities must embed business‑impact assessments into the planning stages of public works.” In Benson’s case, the article cites the Maple Street project as a “case study” in the need for proactive stakeholder engagement.

6. What’s Next?

The next few weeks will be critical. The DOT is scheduled to hold a public hearing on October 4, 2025, to present a revised traffic management plan and answer community questions. Business owners will have the opportunity to push for additional mitigation measures, such as the installation of a digital display that will show real‑time traffic conditions and detour maps.

Meanwhile, local residents have taken to social media to rally support. A trending hashtag, #MapleStreetHelp, has garnered over 1,200 posts, ranging from “free coffee for workers” to “please open your doors!” The city’s own Facebook page has posted daily updates about construction milestones and links to the BEDS grant application portal.

7. Conclusion

The Maple Street construction is a microcosm of a larger tension that small towns across the United States face: how to modernize infrastructure without eroding the lifeblood of local commerce. While the city is working to mitigate short‑term pain, the long‑term success of Benson’s downtown will hinge on how well it can support its merchants during this period of upheaval.

As WOWT’s coverage reminds us, the city’s willingness to engage, adapt, and fund recovery measures will determine whether the project strengthens Benson’s economy or leaves a scar on its historic streets. Only time will tell if the benefits of improved drainage, widened sidewalks, and a new transit hub outweigh the costs to the people who have made Maple Street the beating heart of Benson for decades.