Rock Bar and Grill says Beckman Avenue reconstruction has cut foot traffic; council staff ask owner to provide information

The owner and a lead bartender from the Rock Bar and Grill told the Cincinnati City Council during the citizens forum that street reconstruction on Beckman Avenue has hurt their business and asked the city for assistance.

Terel Franklin, who identified himself as representing a small business at the corner of 3411 Biggeman (Beckman) Street, said the reconstruction project has lasted “around a year or so” and has reduced customer access and parking. “It's put a big bearing on the business as far as like our revenue into the bar,” Franklin said.

Sonia Jones, the Rock Bar and Grill's head bartender and a decade-long employee, told the council she and co-workers are “grateful” the reconstruction is needed but confirmed it is causing a financial hardship and that business has fallen sharply.

City staff and the presiding officer asked Franklin and Jones to provide contact information so staff could follow up. The presiding officer said staff in the back of the chamber could assist and invited the speakers to share details after the meeting.

Why it matters: Small businesses on reconstructed corridors often face short-term losses from access disruptions. The witnesses asked only for city follow-up; they did not identify a specific remedy the council should vote on at the meeting.

Council did not make a formal directive during the meeting beyond asking staff to collect the business’s contact information and investigate potential assistance.