Frustrated Decatur Street business owners June 16 demanded answers from the Sewerage & Water Board and other city officials over their handling of the long languishing construction along the popular French Quarter strip, what they’ll do to help them survive, and perhaps most important — when it will finally end.
At a meeting hosted by District C Council Member Freddie King at the French Market Restaurant and Bar, business owners described losing revenue and aired their grievances over street closures and other massive obstructions that have steered away visitors for the last ten months, including during traditionally busy times of year like Mardi Gras going into festival season.
“This (infrastructure) project is devastating this whole area economically and it’s affecting tourism,” said Rhonda Findley, owner of the shop Pop City. “People are closing their businesses.”…