Article: Merchants brace for downtown detours But they hope short-term hardship along Main St. pays with revitalization

Although gaping pits and orange barrels will soon clutter Main St. downtown, several merchants who will be affected by the construction are optimistic that any hardships eventually will be worthwhile.

The city has directed the telephone and electric utilities to bury their lines and equipment under Main St. so the utility poles along the nearby Fox River may eventually be removed.

"For a short time, it will probably mess up some customers, especially those from out of town," said Dick Schultz, owner of Donovan's Toys, 259 W. Main St. "But the locals will know where to park . . . and once the theater is in, it's going to be worth it." The work, which will close a portion of Main St. for ...

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