Look Who it Was Random video

Downtown Businesses Blame Construction for Losses

16 views · Published 31 August 2014 · 1:45 · Indexed 20 September 2026

Channel: NBC 15 · 2014 · News & Politics

Watch on YouTube

MOBILE, Ala. (WPMI) Several downtown business owners say they're losing business due to ongoing construction.  Bridgette Jerkins, who owns Royal Barbers, says business began to dwindle when crews started working on renovating the Van Antwerp building and metered spots started disappearing.  She says her business has been cut in half. 

And she's not alone. three other businesses that did not want to be included in our report say business has dropped off with the construction.

"Right now, I'm getting by. There's no extra. It's like working and not getting paid," said Jerkins.

And now she's concerned a MAWSS project could cause even more parking problems. MAWSS says it will be replacing 300 feet of 8" sewer pipe on Royal Street between Dauphin and Conti Streets. MAWSS does say it will try to do some of the work on the weekends.

"It's really frustrating because I can't do anything about it," said Jerkins.

Serda's owner says construction has caused some issues but what business he may have lost, he's likely made up from the construction crews.

"These are just growing pains. We've got to suffer a little bit, which I don't mind because it's a good thing in the future with that many businesses coming to downtown Mobile," said John Serda.

"It's going to be wonderful when everything is done, but from I hear that's years away," said Jerkins.

The city did say renovation work was behind on the Van Antwerp building. Local 15 News reached out to RSA, which owns the building, to find out when work would be completed, but did not hear back. The original target date was July 2014.

More from this channel