Gazpacho Restaurant is not alone in its frustration with a hotel construction project that has dragged on for six years in South Durango.
Other businesses near the site say the construction has caused persistent noise, periodic street closures and reduced customer traffic.
“It cost me probably 20% of my income over the last four years – between street stoppages and trucks parking there and noise,” said George Hassan, owner of Southwest Book Traders.
But not all businesses have been adversely impacted.
Paige Denir of ReLove Consign and Design said business has remained steady during on-and-off construction, but she knows residents in the area are eager for the project to wrap up.
Natalia Vaugn, who lives on the corner of Fifth Street and East Second Avenue, said her indoor cat escaped for 12 days, seemingly related to fear of the construction noise – which goes as late as midnight or 1 a.m. on some days, she said.
“I’m over it. It’s every day,” Vaugn said. “... I definitely feel like there’s not a lot of respect for people who live around here.”
City spokesman Tom Sluis said city code requires construction to take place between 7 a.m. and 7 p.m., and that any instances of construction occurring outside those hours is investigated and responded to by city code enforcement officers.
The city is sensitive to the effects that large construction projects have on residents and businesses, Sluis said, and does its best to minimize those impacts when possible.
“The hotel project in particular has been a challenge for many years, and it’s understandable for residents to have some frustration when other projects are moving forward,” Sluis said. “We have staff constantly involved in its progress and are always seeking ways to help it reach completion.”
Rob Hahn, president and co-owner of Family Craft Memorials, said he has faced challenges at times with street closures and construction vehicle loading, but it hasn’t negatively affected business.
“I think the city’s done just fine,” Hahn said. “Loading stuff is tough, but they’ve seemed to do all they can to keep it at a minimum.”
Hahn said the city did construction work on a concrete apron and added trees outside Family Craft Memorials in the past, which he appreciated. He called his perspective on the construction and the city’s response “probably different from most around here.”
A manager at the Best Western Plus Rio Grande Inn, located on the south side of the construction zone, said guests dislike the construction, but that business at Best Western hasn’t suffered as a result.
“Since we’re the only Best Western, people stay with us because they’re Best Western members,” the manager said. “We’ve been sold out all summer.”
epond@durangoherald.com
