ST. PAUL, Minn. -- University Avenue businesses have been dealing with construction on the Central Corridor LRT line for years.
But now they have some help -- from a Chicago filmmaker.
This week, Darryl Bullock -- a filmmaker with a background in advertising -- teamed up with U7, an organization that's been supporting University Avenue businesses during the construction period. Bullock is making a video that the businesses themselves can use for promotional purposes.
"My thought was certainly you want to make sure they survive something like this. For no fault of their own, they're in the midst of this whirlwind. If we can keep the message out, keep the notoriety out -- about how unique and special these businesses are, I think it's worthwhile," Bullock said.
Jason Allen, a U7 small business consultant, agrees.
"We were trying to figure out how to allow the businesses to market themselves as well as tell a story at the same time," Allen said, adding, "this is something that probably wouldn't have been in their operating budgets to do on their own."
Already, local businesses say they appreciate the outreach effort -- along with the impending end of construction.
"I can't wait 'til they're done. Especially when the light rail comes through, it's going to be really, really nice out here, basically see people get dropped off in front of your door, almost," said Damen Johnson, owner of the Grooming House at University and Dale Avenues.
Construction on the Central Corridor project is scheduled to end in 2014.
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