Central Avenue businesses open despite construction

PINE BELT, Miss. (WDAM) – This month marks one year since construction of the roundabout began in Laurel. It’s been a project with some unexpected delays, but it looks like things are getting closer to completion.

“They have done a lot of work over the last 30 to 45 days. We had a meeting in January and we were able to talk to the construction company and the project managers. And so we get an update from Caroline Burke of Gildan Gentry every week letting us know where they are, what they’re working on,” says Elizabeth Fanslow.

Fanslow owns “The Amazing Paper” company. The store opened in August 2021 on Central Avenue. Even though there is a lot of construction going on, his business has been able to stay afloat.

“We did really, really well, and again, we have nothing to compare to, you know, before construction. But we also have an online store, so everything in our store is online,” says Fanslow.

Hopefully she can make a comparison soon.

Chad Knight, owner of The Knight Butcher, says he has also seen progress with the new sidewalk.

“They finished that one again and now they still have the other one. The reason this one took so long was because of the plumbing. They had to redo all the plumbing underneath. So when they get to our side, they just have to tear it down and then pave it,” says Knight.

Until the work is finally done, Knight wants everyone to know that Central Avenue businesses are open.

“We’re going to remember that we’re here on Central, we’re here to serve you, and like I said, if you don’t mind a little walk, you know, they already have a finished sidewalk on some one side,” Knight says.

The project is a few months late due to unforeseen circumstances. For the moment, no date has been set for the realization of the project.

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