Business owners say road closures and repeated utility issues are hurting sales as the city points to Atmos Energy work and ongoing infrastructure upgrades.
LAKE DALLAS, Texas — Small business owners in Lake Dallas say months of road closures, utility work and infrastructure repairs are making it difficult for customers to reach their stores and restaurants, leaving some worried about whether they can stay open.
The disruptions began after a home gas explosion led to road closures in the area. Since then, ongoing Atmos Energy utility replacement work, city water and sewer line repairs and storm drainage upgrades have continued across parts of the small North Texas town.
Last week, another issue added to the frustration.
According to Lake Dallas City Manager Luke Olson, a gas line was struck Monday by a city contractor working in the construction zone. Olson said that was the first incident of its kind involving the city’s contractor during the project.
Then Friday evening, Olson said a separate Atmos Energy contractor struck a service line connected to Mrs. Lively’s Cajun Konnection, temporarily disrupting gas service to the restaurant.
For businesses already struggling through months of construction, owners say the incidents only added to ongoing concerns.
Outside Legacy Boxing Gym, owner Rich Lox said customers have struggled to navigate road closures and construction barriers.
“This has definitely been really frustrating for us,” Lox said.
Lox said his gym lost about 30% of its members in a single month because customers stopped coming. The small boxing retail shop he owns next to his gym has experienced a 60% loss in sales.
“People can’t find where they’re going when they try to come here,” he said.
The city has added signs throughout the construction area to direct traffic and let drivers know businesses remain open. But Lox argues the signs are not placed far enough away to effectively help customers locate his gym.
At Mrs. Lively’s Cajun Konnection, owner Kevin Lively said the construction and utility issues have significantly affected business.
“We’re already struggling. We’re already scared,” Lively said. “We don’t really have answers. How long are we expected to put up with this?”
In a statement to WFAA, Olson said city staff have met directly with several affected business owners, including Legacy Boxing and Mrs. Lively’s Cajun Konnection, to discuss concerns and provide updates.
Olson also said many complaints from residents and businesses are tied more closely to Atmos Energy replacement work happening alongside the city’s infrastructure project.
“The City has communicated these concerns directly to Atmos Energy,” Olson said in the statement.
According to Olson, businesses that believe they experienced financial impacts related to Atmos projects may have the opportunity to seek reimbursement through Atmos Energy’s claims process.
Olson said the city plans to continue advocating for residents and business owners throughout the project. However, he noted that much of the utility-related work and associated issues fall under the authority of Atmos Energy and the Texas Railroad Commission.
“The City of Lake Dallas does not have regulatory authority over Atmos Energy or its gas line replacement operations,” Olson said.
For some business owners, the concern now is whether they can continue holding on while the work continues.
“My fear is it’s gonna continue to go down that way,” Lox said. “If it does, there’s no way I can survive staying here.”
Most of the utility replacement projects will continue until March 2028, according to the city.