Market Square auto traffic to resume Tuesday
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The $5 million makeover of Market Square is drawing to an end, to the relief of its merchants.
Most of the sidewalks within the square have been completed. Normal traffic patterns are expected to return Tuesday, with vehicles moving counterclockwise around the square past the Original Oyster House after turning off Forbes Avenue.
Since May, traffic has been detoured to the south side of the square, past Moe's Southwest Grill, Starbucks and Primanti Brothers while sidewalk and road work took place on the north side.
"The majority of the square will be opening as of next week," said Hollie Geitner, spokeswoman for the Pittsburgh Downtown Partnership, which has been overseeing the renovations.
Market Square has been under construction for a year, forcing lunchtime crowds and other visitors to find their way around fencing and narrow walkways and talk over the din of equipment as they made their way to restaurants or businesses.
The work has taken its toll on merchants, as roads and sidewalks were ripped up and replaced in front of their stores. Two businesses, the 1902 Landmark Tavern and Costanzo's restaurant, closed last winter, blaming the renovation project in part.
Another that struggled is MixStirs Cafe. Co-owner Michael Pfeuffer said his business fell off about 50 percent after the construction started.
Only in the past week or so, as heavy equipment has been removed and the sidewalk reopened in front of the store, has the cafe seen a slight boost in business, but still not at pre-construction levels. Mr. Pfeuffer hopes it all will eventually return.
"It's been tough, but we've hung on and fought through. And we're excited for the future," he said.
At the Oyster House, Bob Harper, night supervisor, is also thrilled the work is winding down. He said the Oyster House saw some drop-off in business during construction.
"We hurt a little bit, but we didn't struggle," he said.
While much of the square will reopen next week, work will continue on Graeme and Market streets and McMasters Way leading into the plaza, Ms. Geitner said. Trees won't go in on the north side until mid-October, when a grand reopening is planned.
"There are still little pieces that have to be completed," she said.
First Published August 20, 2010 12:00 am
