OMAHA, Neb. (WOWT) – A Blackstone District business owner is asking city officials for financial relief after reporting significant revenue losses during streetcar construction on Farnam Street.
Joel Marsh, owner of Noli’s Pizzeria at 40th and Farnam, said his business lost $200,000 in revenue over the past year and a half due to construction impacts.
“Basically, I think that we need some help in order to even sustain,” Marsh said.
Business owner appeals to city leaders
Marsh wrote a letter to Mayor John Ewing and several city councilmembers requesting relief from the construction-related losses.
“It’s kind of insurmountable to come out of it without some financial resources from the city who, I mean, they caused the problem,” Marsh said.
The mayor’s office responded with a statement saying: “I love our small businesses and want to see them succeed. Unfortunately, the city is prohibited from offering the kind of financial relief many of them seek.”
Other businesses also affected
Coneflower Creamery, located near Noli’s, has also experienced reduced foot traffic during construction. Employee Ethan Bortmess said the business is focusing on future opportunities the streetcar may bring.
“We’ve seen a lot of new buildings down on the east side of Blackstone, and we’re really excited for that to continue to grow, and we feel like that the streetcar will continue to bring customers and more opportunities along,” Bortmess said.
Employment concerns
Marsh said he faces difficult decisions about his 40 employees as the business struggles financially.
“Either lay off everybody or just continue to go into further debt to try to pay people,” Marsh said.
City Councilman Danny Begley said state laws and the city charter prevent direct financial support to private businesses.
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