The Nesst, a steakhouse in the heart of the city, launched during the peak of the pandemic, a period which saw the closure of many local businesses in Indiana. “Starting a new business now and trying to spread awareness about our location and offerings has been quite a struggle,” said Justin McGuire, the General Manager of The Nesst.
Positioned on a busy corner of the city’s historic square, The Nesst now faces the challenge of the upcoming State Road 32 construction project, raising concerns about potential customer access issues. McGuire expressed concern about the construction directly in front of their establishment, noting the need to adapt for continued operation.
Businesses along State Road 32, from 6th to 16th Streets, are collectively seeking strategies to retain customers during the roadwork. McGuire mentioned plans to host off-site events to compensate for potential in-restaurant revenue losses, as well as boosting their social media outreach to reassure the community of their ongoing operation.
“We want to assure our customers that access to our location is still straightforward and affordable, especially with the parking garage option,” McGuire commented.
The Indiana Department of Transportation (INDOT) is set to renovate the road, replacing century-old bricks with new pavement. The project is organized into four phases, each expected to take approximately 30-45 days, spanning the rest of the year:
- 16th Street at State Road 32
- State Road 32 from 9th to 14th Streets
- State Road 32 from 6th to 9th Streets
- State Road 32 from Lakeview Drive to 19th Street
INDOT’s Public Relations Director, Kyleigh Cramer, remarked, “Though it seems extensive, the project is scheduled to be completed within a single construction season, which is relatively swift.”
In addition to the road project, INDOT is actively keeping the public informed through social media, newsletters, and a dedicated project website, especially important due to simultaneous construction projects.
“The initial days might require some adjustments, particularly for those unfamiliar with the project or living outside Noblesville. However, we are optimistic about the effectiveness of our prior communications,” Cramer added.
