Businesses Take Brunt Of BBD-Widening Project

By Matt Wiley

For the past several years, it’s been quite a challenge to traverse the length of Bruce B. Downs (BBD) Blvd. between E. Bearss Ave. and County Line Rd. As the construction project to widen the road to four lanes in each direction really gets going through the southernmost section of New Tampa (“Segment A,” from Bearss Ave. to Palm Springs Blvd. in Tampa Palms), it’s not just the commuters who are being inconvenienced, but the businesses in the area, as well.

Segment A of the BBD widening project officially got started in January and began with some large flashing construction signs, warning of the impending $36 million of road work to be done before the tentatively scheduled completion “date” in the spring of 2017. In the past nine months, construction has intensified along the southern lanes between Palm Springs Blvd. and E. Bearss Ave. Lanes are closed on a daily basis to allow for work to proceed along this 3.5-mile stretch of roadway.

While the biggest and most obvious signs of the project’s inconveniencies can be seen on BBD itself — with long wait times at traffic lights, heavy machinery moving about, orange barrels littering the shoulders and extended commute times — drivers aren’t the only ones putting up with the project.

Much of Segment A is lined with the communities of Tampa Palms. However, further south, specifically between Amberly Dr. in Tampa Palms and Bearss Ave., several local businesses have noticed some of the adverse affects of the continuous construction project outside their windows.

Beyond the flowers that line the windows of A Special Rose Florist, located in the same plaza as the Shell gas station at the end of Skipper Rd. on BBD, owner Rose O’Berry has seen the travel delays. O’Berry says the problem isn’t so much for those trying to get to and from dinner or work on BBD, but delays for her flower deliveries, an essential part of her business.

“(The construction) has made it really difficult for deliveries,” O’Berry explains. “Our deliveries take (longer)when there’s only one lane open.”

O’Berry says that construction crews recently were right out in front of her shop. “It made it very hard to get in and out of (the plaza),” she says. “But, that’s moved on, for now.”

O’Berry also knows that the delays are temporary.

“I think we’ll definitely benefit when the project is done,” she says. Luckily, she adds, her business doesn’t rely too much on foot or even vehicular traffic in front of her shop.

“We do a lot of phone and online business,” O’Berry says. “We’ve been around for 12 years now. So, (the construction) hasn’t affected us too much.”

Meanwhile, To The North…

Already known for its parking woes, the Oak Ramble shopping plaza is home to one of our area’s most popular and diverse collection of restaurants, including Acropolis Greek Taverna, Mr. Dunderbak’s Biergarten & Brewery, Toast Wine & Café and Takara Sushi & Sake Lounge.

Acropolis spokesperson Tarek Armoush says that the popular Mediterranean restaurant hasn’t really seen much of a negative effect from the construction, at least from a business angle.

“We haven’t seen the effects (of construction) yet, but there has been a lot of frustration coming from our customers,” Armoush says.

In the Shoppes at Amberly shopping plaza, Peabody’s Billiards & Games director of operations Jeff Bennett says that the billiards hall and eatery has seen a definite negative effect from the construction project, which currently is particularly intensive on either side of the Amberly Dr. intersection.

“Our lunch traffic is way down,” Bennett explains. “At this time most years, we have a large lunch crowd once kids are back in school and the college kids are back. But, we’re just not seeing it right now. Everyone has to sit in gridlock just to get to us.”

It’s not unusual for employees to show up late for work more often because of the traffic, either, he explains. 

Bennett says he understands the frustration that he hears from customers about the traffic and delays.

“I avoid (BBD) at all costs,” Bennett says. “I take Tampa Palms Blvd. and other back roads to get where I need to go.”