MISSION, Kan. — A cone zone is causing some headaches along Johnson Drive in Mission. Not only for drivers, but for business owners. Johnson Drive is closed at Outlook and will be for upwards of two-to-three weeks.
Business owners knew the work was coming and understand the work is important in the grand scheme of things. But they think the timing stinks.
“I’m very frustrated I believe it could have been rescheduled until after the holiday,” said Robert Hartman
Robert Hartman owns Hartman Hardware, he doesn’t count on fourth quarter sales, but still.
“I do count on having some traffic during the day, gotta pay the light bill,” explained Hartman
Hartman knows the work is important, he just wishes it would have been done after the first of the year.
AT&T, Kansas Gas, and Water One all need to get some important work done before a major Johnson Drive project in 2014.
John Belger, Public Works Superintendent for the city of Mission feels for business owners.
“We try to do everything we can to minimize the impact on small businesses, but we are at the mercy of the utility scheduling,” explained Belger.
In this case, it’s Water One.
“The city’s contractor is starting in January, so – according to the city’s time frame – utility work like ours cannot be postponed, unfortunately,” explained Mandy Cawby, Water One spokesperson.
Business owners could have a better idea of exactly how long the project will last. Belger said he is waiting to hear back from project engineer and hopes to get an exact timeline. In the meantime, business owners hope customers can make it around the road closure.
