East Harlem Businesses Say MTA Construction is 'Crushing Them'
Local merchants report significant sales declines and cite a lack of support from the transit authority.
Small businesses in East Harlem are facing severe financial hardship due to the ongoing construction for the Metropolitan Transportation Authority's (MTA) Second Avenue Subway project. Merchants report that the extensive work, part of an estimated $8 billion expansion set to bring the Q train to East Harlem by 2032, is choking their operations and that the MTA is unresponsive to their plight.
Owners describe the construction's impact as "brutal," with reduced sidewalk space, noise from pile drivers, and blocked access severely affecting customer traffic. Jimmy Mateus, owner of Casa Ricardo's Steakhouse, stated that the sidewalk outside his restaurant has shrunk from 15 feet to 6 feet, leading to a roughly 40% decrease in sales this year. He also noted significant legal costs and fines related to MTA construction, including disputes over vibration monitors placed on his property.
Lu Nicaj, owner of Eagle Tile, reported that construction barriers have eliminated nearly 90% of his business. Nicaj claims the MTA promised to help establish a pickup area for customers with bulky orders but has since been unresponsive. He has had to lay off three employees and is now hundreds of thousands of dollars in debt, stating that the MTA "destroyed everything" for his business, which has served the community for over 35 years.
Solomon Fresh, owner of Go Donut, has seen sales drop by 70% since construction began in front of his shop four months ago. He contends with fencing blocking the sidewalk and loud generators that deter customers. Fresh, who opened his shop last year, feels abandoned by the MTA, questioning why an $8 billion project doesn't include a budget to support businesses suffering during its construction.
An MTA spokesperson said the agency's outreach team has met with business owners in the construction zone and is committed to being "consistent, accessible neighbors" as the project progresses. However, business owners like Nicaj report a lack of communication and support, feeling treated as "second-class citizens."