Craig Wilson interviews Mumtaz Osman, who owns Osman Cleaners on Hennepin Avenue with her husband Aarif, about their concerns for the proposed reconstruction of Hennepin Avenue between Douglas Avenue and Lake Street.
Where did you grow up and what brought you to Minnesota?
Aarif came as a child refugee from Uganda. I came to Minnesota from India after getting married.
What is your family-owned business?
We own a dry cleaning business in Uptown Minneapolis on Hennepin Avenue and 25th Street. This business was started by my father-in-law back in 1988. After he passed away, my husband and I took over.
What are your concerns about the Hennepin Ave Reconstruction Plan?
We have many concerns. First, by putting a permanent bus lane and bike lane, street parking will nearly all be taken away. Our customers and customers of other businesses rely on these necessary parking spots that will be removed as a result of this reconstruction project. Next, a bus platform is set to be built right in front of our business. This will take away our visibility. And being a small business, we do not have a budget for advertising, and we are noticed from our signage on the street which will be covered by the bus platform. Additionally, there are functioning and existing bus stops right across the street, so there is no need to have a whole new platform be built. Third, a green patch bump out is set to be built on the 25th Ave. side of our business. With this, all of our customer parking will be gone. Customers of other businesses also park here such as the barber shop next door, and those businesses will also be negatively affected. Moreover, this project will lead to more environmental pollution. With one lane for driving, cars will be idling more thus leading to more emissions. People will not stop driving cars and begin using bikes or buses, but they will stop coming to businesses they cannot access. Last, the grant for this project will only cover a partial cost, but we as business owners and residents will end up paying the cost of a project we do not support through our taxes and the increased taxes that this project will bring. As it is right now, with the pandemic, times are tough and we struggle to pay the taxes, how are we going to with this project decreasing our business?
What will be the largest impact on local businesses?
Small businesses will be affected through the loss of on street parking that their customers rely on when they visit the business. It will also be more difficult for customers coming in cars to park and access these small businesses. Therefore, ceasing to come to these small businesses and then these businesses may be left to close or leave. For us, about 2% of our customers are from this neighborhood. The rest come from the neighboring suburbs, and they drive to come here, and they will need parking.
What would you like to see happen on a new Hennepin Avenue?
The most we ask for is for Hennepin Avenue to be resurfaced and potholes to be filled. As well as increasing left turn availability.
What do you enjoy about doing business in Minneapolis?
As a small business, we enjoy our customers. We have many customers from different walks of life, and we get to form meaningful relationships. This location is a cosmopolitan place, and we like the charm of this area.
What is your hope for the future?
We hope to continue serving the community in Uptown as we have done since 1988.
