It’s been a long spring and summer in Downtown Superior. The well known stretch of Tower Avenue, home to dozens of businesses and bars, closed on April 17 for reconstruction and has yet to reopen. It’s been a time of trial and tribulation for many businesses; many bars quit staying open until the 2 a.m. bar closing time, Erbert & Gerbert’s Sub Shop started closing at midnight, and LaBelles went belly up in June. Even the dancers at the gentlemen’s clubs reportedly sit around bored on a weekend night with no audience.

It has been survival of the fittest in Superior. The entire stretch between Belknap (15th Street) and 3rd Street was torn apart all at the same time. Overflow of tourist traffic from events like Grandma’s Marathon and Tall Ships was barely felt in downtown Superior. The shut down of the street even had locals scratching their heads as to a good way to get to favorite establishments such as the Anchor Bar down at the far North end of Tower. For many tourists, navigating strange alley ways was more than inconvenient, they apparently took their business elsewhere.

Many businesses were just waiting out the construction process with the hopes that the new street (complete with long overdue sewer repairs) would bring back both foot and vehicle traffic and with that, a boost in the cash registers. Unfortunately those who have been waiting may have to wait even longer.

Tower Avenue is scheduled to reopen October 18, but Jodi Rochon of the Superior-Douglas County BID told The Reader that the deadline may not be met. The hang up lies predominantly with street light poles.  If all the street lights were on hand; it would still take a week or two per block to install them. Approximately 3/4 of the low level street lights have just arrived as of September 24th, and the remainder are now expected shortly. However, Brian Mattson of the Wisconsin Department of Transportation told The Reader that the taller street lights are back ordered, and the supplier has not yet offered a shipping date. Mattson has heard rumors of the shipping date being two to three weeks out, which if one adds in shipping and installation time, suggests a delay of at least two weeks. Mattson said that the “lights are always a pain” on projects like this.

Although the street will be perfectly fine to drive on, officials have stated that Tower Avenue will remain closed until all the lights are operational. Mattson voices liability concerns; noting that many of the traffic signs are mounted on these poles.

It’s not just local businesses who will be paying the price if the deadline is not met, Chippewa Concrete, (the general contractor) faces a $10,000 contractual penalty for each day that the Tower Avenue opening is delayed.

Not everyone is concerned about the delay. Chris Kari, general manager of Kari Toyota told The Reader that he isn’t upset at the possibility of delays. Kari notes that “projects of this magnitude are hard to keep on deadline” and that the construction crews have been working long days and trying hard to keep access to the businesses open.