Business owners are a little concerned about a year-long streetscape project in downtown Brighton

BRIGHTON, MI — Nick Mannisto is a little nervous about what’s in store for his new business, Captain on Main, a nearly year-long streetscape project in downtown Brighton.

Mannisto at 423 W. Main St. in September. He opened a brick-and-mortar pizza and coffee shop and soon learned about a project that would completely transform the downtown area.

“As a new business owner, it’s really hard for me to put my name out there and have the road closed for a year,” he said. “(It will be) hard on small town businesses. Coming out of covid and coming into this, it’s a little rough on everybody.

The nearly $6.5 million Brighton Streetscape Project, led by the city’s Downtown Development Authority, aims to modernize downtown streets, sidewalks and infrastructure, bringing many improvements to the city. The project will impact Main Street, between Grand River Avenue and First Street and between Grand River Avenue, St. Paul and North Streets.

A water main project began Monday, January 9, on Main Street from Grand River Avenue to South 2nd Street to replace century-old water mains. Intermittent lane closures and detours are in effect until the work is completed in late March.

Streetscape improvements after the water main project will begin in April and be completed by the end of November, DDA Chairman Tim Corrigan said. They include larger sidewalks that comply with the Americans with Disabilities Act, updated LED lighting, bike parking spaces, improved landscaping, off-street parking and more.

The city is working with civil engineering and community planning firm Giffles Webster for this redesign.

“Public safety is No. 1 to ensure we are fully ADA compliant, making our downtown a friendly, safe environment for everyone to visit, shop and enjoy,” Corrigan said. “It’s also an effort to modernize it.”

Corrigan said the project hopes to boost the city economically by bringing new customers and businesses to the area.

Local businesses weigh in.

Tony Reese, owner of Running Lab, who sells running gear and whose business was in downtown Brighton, said it would be safe during construction because it is a more “destination” location.

However, Reese said she can see how the next few months could be an issue for other businesses that rely on foot traffic.

“Not having an easy way to get into Brighton city center and dealing with road and parking restrictions can be a challenge for other people,” she said. “As far as we’re concerned (in the running lab), it’s kind of a wait-and-see game right now.”

Anyone who talks to local businesses will likely hear a “strong mix” of concern and optimism about the project, Reese says.

“I think a lot of it has to do with where you are, with the construction schedule and whether you have a back door entrance,” she says.

A major concern among business owners is how customers will find businesses when sidewalk construction begins, Reese said. City staff will work with contractors to ensure access for all businesses is maintained, Corrigan said.

Another impact of the project comes from the annual events that take place in the city. “If they can hold their event based on other locations in the city, that’s the owner of the event (and) the city is still working with the event applicants on that topic,” Corrigan said.

The City of Brighton had an “open line of communication” with businesses regarding the project, including hosting various meetings.

“(I’m looking forward to) being able to make the beauty of downtown (and) more accessible to all people,” Reese said. “Downtown is beautiful with its sidewalks, sidewalks and things. The safety and convenience of our downtown is great, and should bring back walking.

Mannisto and Rees agreed that downtown Brighton businesses need to support each other to get through the closures needed for the project, whether it’s advertising, promotion or selling merchandise on behalf of other stores.

“I think[this project]definitely brings us together because we need to communicate more,” Rees said. I think we’re going to bond more together[and]see a lot more promotions.

Background and what’s next for Brighton’s Streetscape project

The streetscape project has been in the works since 2018, when the city of Brighton began investigating what to do, Corrigan said, adding that this part of the city center was last updated 25 years ago.

The project has been developed and approved by the DDA and approved by Brighton City Council. Final design plans were approved in September.

Information about other road closures and construction during the project will be posted on city websites. For up-to-date information on the project, visit the City of Brighton’s website or the Giffles Webster website.

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