Phase I of the streetscape project proved to be challenging. Originally scheduled to be completed in 2017, it wasn’t officially done until September 2018. A number of construction issues caused delays.

While the visual result will be an updated streetscape with segregated bike lanes and widened sidewalks, there is hidden utility work being done well beneath the asphalt.

Juergen Rett, whose business Ascania Jewellery and Futon Delight is farther north near Central Street, described the ongoing and incoming construction as a disaster.

“It’s a disaster for us,” said Rett, who has operated his business for 35 years in the uptown core. “The UpTown BIA says, ‘Oh they’re doing a great job, that’s a bunch of bologna.

“They don’t show any understanding at all.”

During the first phase of construction, a number of businesses closed or moved out of the uptown core. While it’s arguable whether construction was the sole reason for these moves, many businesses felt the economic impact of reduced foot and vehicular traffic in the area.

At Death Valley’s Little Brother, they’re not sure what to expect in terms of a drop in business, but they’ve heard from fellow uptown businesses that it will be about a 19 per cent drop in revenue.

“My mentality is we have to perceive this as when we first opened,” said Chiles. “We have financially planned for it but we understand that there are going to be dips and pain points.”

This year’s construction is part of a $6.6-million project. Eventually, the project will see an identical streetscape continue to University Avenue. Since King Street is a regional road, the project is administered and mostly funded by the Region of Waterloo. Despite the closure of King Street, east-west access across King Street will be maintained at Bridgeport Road and Central Street.

The construction will not affect much on-street parking, but it will create challenges for vehicular traffic to get to shops in that stretch. Super Optical, for example, has a parking lot that will be rendered useless as it can only be accessed from King Street.

For Death Valley’s Little Brother, there are parking lots to the east of the business where customers can park and walk.

Tracy Van Kalsbeek, executive director of the UpTown Waterloo Business Improvement Area (BIA), said they have heard concerns from businesses in the affected area and have been working on access plans.

"You're not going to find anyone that's excited about it, but at the end of it, you're going to hear about people that are happy about it," said Van Kalsbeek. "The BIA is here for those folks ... we've already put in place walkabouts with the region and the construction company."

Van Kalsbeek added that both the region and Clearway Group, the construction company in charge of the project, have been encouraged to meet with businesses and keep them updated with first-hand information.

In preparation for Phase II, the BIA reached out to businesses in Phase I, asking what advice they have for those facing the same issues.

In the responses, business owners advised others to look into obtaining lines of credit, consider utilizing their back doors, and prepare for delays. They also suggested that businesses should stay engaged with their customer base on information about how to access their locations.

"They also said businesses should expect to come out of the construction period with a little bit of debt," said Van Kalsbeek.