Businesses Fed Up With South Tulsa Construction

Tara Vreeland, News On 6

TULSA, Oklahoma -- Small business owners in Tulsa say business is down because of the construction on Lewis between 61st and 71st.

Some have moved out of the area. Others say they are stuck until the construction ends in August, if they can manage to keep their doors open.

Construction in the area started in February 2010. To business owners, those 11 months have been too long.

"We saw a steady decrease in business all year," said Dr. Cari McDonald, Horizon Animal Hospital. "Complaints from clients. Complaints from people in general. Everybody avoiding this area."

The city says it's a big $10 million project that will widen streets from four to five lanes. The stretch of road from 71st to 75th is done, but other areas have yet to be finished.

"It doesn't seem like they are getting a lot done in the years time," Tammy Shaw, a customer, said.

The city says they couldn't just leave the road as is and the project is running on time. It's scheduled to finish in August. That's eight more long months to the businesses.

"All road construction is necessary at one point or another," Shaw said. "But it's a timeline that they are going to have to tighten up a little I think."

Dr. Cari McDonald already laid off three employees. She fears the worst will happen before the construction wraps up.

"If the forecast is right looking at my end of the year profits, I'll go under by the end of the year if the trend continues," she said.

But Tammy Shaw says it's worth the hassle and she and her dog, Daisy, will continue to be loyal customers.

"I'll put up with the headache," she said. "I won't go anywhere else. She's the best vet in town."

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