TUPPER LAKE – It’s been a bittersweet start to summer for businesses on Park Street.

The state Department of Transportation’s reconstruction of Routes 3 and 30 will upgrade walkways and make the village’s major business district more attractive. These perks, however, come at the cost of temporary business loss for some.

Tom Maroun, the DOT engineer leading the project, said the wait for a paved road and smoother traffic shouldn’t be long.

“We had planned from the start to get through the business district by the end of July, and so far progress with the project has been great, so it looks like we’re going to be able to do that,” Maroun said. He estimates curbs and paved roads will be finished from the intersection of Park Street and Wawbeek Avenue to the intersection of Park and Mill streets by mid-July.

Until then, the lack of storefront parking during weekdays and complication of road access due to detours and a dirt road will continue to reduce commerce.

Wawbeek Quick Stop, Trillium Gift Shop & Florist, the Swiss Kitchen and Guido’s Pizzeria all reported notable drops in sales, some as much as 50 percent. Several store owners and managers weighed in with mixed emotions.

Wawbeek Quick Stop was the first business on Park Street surrounded by construction. Store Manager Josh Scranton said they’ve overcome the worst.

“There was one point where our main entrances were cut off and business was really slow,” Scranton said. With construction now concentrated on businesses farther down the road, he is optimistic about sidewalk and parking lot renovations, which he said are positive long-term improvements for the store.

Kris Breitmeyer, owner of Trillium Florist & Gift Shop, is concerned primarily with the addition of a tree between the sidewalk and curb in front of her store and the reduction of parking spaces. She said the tree might obstruct the view of her storefront and make parking and plowing problematic.

Breitmeyer expressed her concerns at a recent village board meeting, where she was told by board members to wait until the problems become obvious and the project is out of the DOT’s hands.

The financial blow is softer for businesses with revenue streams beyond point-of-sale purchase. Trillium and Well Dressed Foods have relied on catering services, while Guido’s Pizzeria and Little Italy use delivery to stay afloat.

Well Dressed Foods Owner David Tomberlin has noticed fewer out-of-town customers because of reduced traffic, but he finds aesthetic improvements to the street and the possibility to create outdoor seating on wider sidewalks appealing.

Another change brought about by the project is the location of this year’s Woodsmen’s Days parade on July 9 at 10 a.m. Instead of running through Park Street as usual, floats will begin in front of the town hall and move up Demars Boulevard to the Municipal Park.

Maroun said his crew communicates regularly with businesses using flyers and door-to-door visits to let them know where the construction will be concentrated and how it may affect them. Most business owners confirmed this.

Maroun noted public concerns as well, particularly with “curb bumpouts” at the main intersections. These sections extend cement into the road, reducing the width of the intersection.

“People seem confused as to why we need them,” he said. “They are basically geared toward pedestrian safety; they let people walk a shorter distance and are handicap accessible.” The extensions also slow traffic and increase driver visibility of pedestrians.

Maroun then explained the next steps for construction. Sidewalks will be installed when curbing and paving is complete. The new water line is completed, and sewer and drainage replacements need to be done from the top of Chaney Avenue to the intersection of McLaughlin Avenue and Park Street. Final steps include the installation of new lighting, benches, bike racks and trees.

Maroun said the project is still scheduled for a November completion.