INDIANAPOLIS — Concern has been growing among some business owners over proposed construction of the IndyGo Blue Line in historic Irvington.
"We have one business up on Meridian where the Red Line went through, and that particular business was hit by 30% for two years under construction. That was a tough hit," said Pandelis Apostolou, owner of The Med, a Mediterranean restaurant on Washington Street.
Apostolou said if his business suffered the same loss, "Oh we would close. We wouldn't make it."
The Blue Line project is just one element of the Marion County Transit Plan. It would replace the existing Route 8 local service.
Twenty-four miles of rapid transit would travel along Washington Street from Cumberland west to the airport.
"When you look at the Red Line and the struggles that the businesses up in Broad Ripple have gone through that, obviously from a business owner, is my biggest concern is what does this look like if we go a couple years with no traffic coming down Washington Street?" said Lisa Bennett, of Black Sheep Gifts.
Business owners are asking IndyGo to consider a shared bus lane.
"They are steadfast that it will be a designated bus lane, and we just don't think that that fits through here," Bennett said.
Business owners fear the area's historical vibe could be lost.
"This is the heart of Irvington, so that's why I think all of us are so proactive to try to protect it," said Laura Lea Sweney, of Irvington Wellness Center.
According to IndyGo, the project will include seven miles of new street paving, nine miles of new or replaced sidewalks, more than 340 new ADA curb ramps, and more.
IndyGo responded to business owners' concerns regarding limited or no access during construction by telling 13News they will support businesses through "increased promotion and advertisement" through social media, weekly newsletters, radio ads and more.
IndyGo also reported the existing Route 8 has the highest ridership. A safety analysis for the Blue Line projected a 30% reduction in crashes on Washington Street.
Safety is something neighbors say is needed on what they call a dangerous stretch of road.
"We need significant safety changes on Washington Street. The Blue Line brings us change," Michelle Pleasant said in a statement to 13News. "Families in our neighborhood have been saying for years that Washington Street is not safe. We have drivers speeding through school zones, no attention being paid to pedestrians and cyclists in crosswalks, people driving recklessly on a street that is designed for a large amount of traffic that it does not get."
13News covered the tragic scene at East Washington Street and Ritter Avenue on Sept. 14, 2022, after a car hit and killed 7-year-old Hannah Crutchfield as she, her mother, and a crossing guard were crossing the street, in a crosswalk, after school.
"We have lived in Irvington since 2019. We were attracted to a walkable neighborhood, but Washington Street is not safe," Jeremy and Cassandra Crutchfield said in a statement to 13News. "It was built as a state highway, not a pedestrian-friendly neighborhood thoroughfare. Families who live here witness aggressive drivers speeding and weaving between lanes on a daily basis. The Blue Line project with dedicated bus lanes will come with safer intersections, traffic-calming measures, fix the frequent flooding issues, and provide much-improved public transportation. The phased implementation will minimize impacts to local businesses. Now is the time to be forward-thinking and improve our community."
Business owners say they encourage mass transit and a safe environment but want to protect what makes Irvington historic.
"We want the locals to make sure they have that same historical feel and make sure they're safe here, make sure there's no issues in the area," Apostolou said.
IndyGo is offering businesses to sign up for one-on-one meetings to address any additional concerns. The bus service has also posted a document with answers to general project questions here.