8th Street Businesses Face Big Revenue Losses Amid Construction Chaos

Business owners along Colorado Springs' 8th Street are dealing with major financial pain from ongoing construction. Several shops report revenue declines of up to half their usual sales since the project started.

Jim Hendershott, who owns Billy's Old World Pizza in the Colorado Place Shopping Center, says his typical Saturday sales used to top out near $1,500 but recently dropped to just $200. His dining room, which once filled up during lunch breaks, is now often empty.

He also has to let staff go because rent keeps climbing even as his income falls. "I feel bad because they have to pay their bills too," he told KRDO13. He's tried launching lunch specials hoping to bring customers back, but the results haven't been encouraging.

The City of Colorado Springs acknowledged the frustration and pointed to a dedicated business outreach contact plus resources at ColoradoSprings.gov/smallbiz. Colorado Springs Utilities echoed similar sentiments, explaining that unexpected underground utility conflicts, difficult ground conditions, and bad weather have all delayed parts of the work. Both agencies say they keep talking to business owners and want to finish the project safely and quickly.

Construction is expected to wrap up next spring.