Despite heavy construction businesses along Western Avenue are still open for business for this Westside Wednesday.

It’s something South Bend Mayor Pete Buttigieg wants everybody to know.

“What we’re doing is the same smart streets approach that we did on part of Western and we’re extending all the way to Olive,” says Mayor Pete. “We find this new streetscape really opens us the neighborhood for more business and people to have a good time.”

Mayor Pete adds it’s important for the community to support local businesses, even when construction is right outside their front doors.

Right now, one side of the street is completely closed off.

A once two way street has converted into a one way street, but Mayor Pete adds once it’s complete it’ll be beneficial for both the community and the businesses that line this once-busy road.

He adds the construction you see on Western Avenue is just the beginning of a whole list of improvements planned for this side of town.

“The investments we’ve made in the far northwest, the new Splash Pad at Fremont Park, means a lot to communities there and we have big visions for expanding the Charles Black Center as well.”