Lower State Street merchants are feeling the pinch from construction efforts they say have slowed business, prompted layoffs and forced some to consider closing their doors.

Critics are calling on the city to speed up road improvements slated for completion in May. The massive project started in February and will replace sidewalks and streets along the 400- and 500-blocks of State Street.

State Street merchant Bill Singer said construction is taking a financial toll on his furniture business. Photo by Edgar Oliveira/SBN

“Our business dropped off 85 percent,” said Singer, explaining that noise, dust and constrained access have kept most of his customers away. He had to let several employees go recently.

“We could be in trouble. It’s been completely detrimental to business.”

Though hesitant about appearing too disgruntled, Singer places the blame squarely on the city.

The work on Lower State Street marks the final phase of a project to spruce up the city's main shopping strip which began a year ago about eight blocks north.

Crews have spent recent weeks replacing slippery sidewalk tiles with brick. They also uprooted 50 trees and repaved sections of the street. City officials say all of the trees will be replaced.

“The logistics of this operation were not done well,” Singer said of the project. “They could have done it in a month. It’s not rocket science. You’re laying bricks.”

But not all shopkeepers are complaining.

Across the street at Yellowstone, owner Stephanie Haugen reported only a small drop in sales at the vintage clothing store. A 25-year veteran of State Street, Haugen says loyal customers have found their way to the shop despite the disruption.

“All in all it’s been very good progress,” said Haugen, standing by racks of new and used retro garb. “I think they’ve done a good job.”

While she concedes that newer stores could suffer from the construction, she said everyone would benefit from the changes.

“If anything, it will increase business for the future.”

The work on Lower State Street marks the final phase of a project to spruce up the city's main shopping strip which began a year ago about eight blocks north. Photo by Edgar Oliveira / SBN

“We need to get down there to talk to him, and see if we can help his business,” she said. “Maybe we can do some advertising.

Blum said the project should be complete in about a month, but she didn’t have an exact date.

“There’s nothing on my calendar that says come and cut a ribbon, and normally there is,” she said. “This will look real nice when it’s done.”

Laverna Peery, who manages Joe’s Café, said she hopes that will be soon.

She said construction has reduced sales at the landmark Santa Barbara eatery by at least 30 percent, cutting into waiters’ tips and forcing patrons of the restaurant’s popular bar to use a side door.

“If we didn’t have the side door we’d have to close,” Peery said. In the end, the bar didn’t suffer much, she noted.

“People will do anything for a drink.”

Crews have spent recent weeks replacing slippery sidewalk tiles with brick. They also uprooted 50 trees and repaved sections of the street. Photo by Edgar Oliveira/SBN

Peery and others worry that the confinement is a safety hazard. She wishes the city could speed things up, she said.

“It’s very dangerous, very dangerous. If we had an emergency or fire, people would trample on top of each other.”

The city has sought to assuage troubled merchants, and reportedly hired local bands to play in the street for customers.

Most passersby described the construction site as a minor annoyance, but one that could affect sales and tourism.

Some, like Alison Anderson, regretted the loss of several trees that towered above the bar-lined streets packed with college students on weekends.

Her husband, Dean Anderson, suggested the changes would have a positive effect, based on past experiences with State Street refurbishments.

“We’ve realized the pain you go through with the construction is worth it in terms of downtown being kept up.”

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Staff writer Rob Kuznia contributed to this report.