Ongoing construction along Lovers Lane’s “Miracle Mile” has transformed one of the busiest avenues in University Park into a construction zone, leaving small business owners concerned.
Between machinery, orange cones, and road closures, many customers have stopped coming into stores because of parking difficulties caused by the work on Lovers between Douglas Avenue and the Dallas North Tollway.
“Our sales have dropped by up to 50% in recent weeks,” said José Romo, manager of Chip’s Old Fashioned Hamburgers, a restaurant on the corner of Lovers Lane and Lomo Alto Drive. “On weekends, it picks up a little, but Monday through Friday, it’s really tough.”
Construction began in May and is expected to wrap up in May 2026, according to information from the city of University Park.
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The $11.64 million project began to take shape in 2018, and final plans were submitted last December. The project with SYB Construction was approved in March.
“The project has been discussed and developed in collaboration with property owners, businesses and residents over the last seven years,” Paige Ruedy, community information officer of University Park, said in a statement.
Jose Romo, manager of Chip’s Old Fashioned Hamburgers poses for a portrait next to a sign placed outside the business letting people know they are open.
Shafkat Anowar / Staff Photographer
This project was originally approved under Dallas County Public Works’ 7th Call for Projects in 2019 as a $9.21 million project, with Dallas County committing to 50% of the costs, or $4.6 million. The city of University Park also submitted the project to DART for their Public Transportation Improvement Funding, and it was approved for $2.154 million in reimbursement, according to information provided by University Park.
Although work is on schedule, small businesses are suffering and want to let people know they’re still open.
“This construction work has had a huge impact,” Romo said. “People have to drive around a lot, and there’s nowhere to park. At lunchtime, the parking lot is full and many people decide to look for another option.”
At Chip’s, the drop in sales has impacted the lives of its more than 20 employees, as their working hours have been cut to avoid layoffs.
Another business that has been impacted is K&L Bagels, which opened its doors just a couple of weeks ago and has seen a difference in customer flow.
“On weekends, it’s easier for people to come and shop because several businesses are closed, which leaves free parking spaces for our customers,” said Jaz Lopez, who works at the shop. “There’s nowhere for people to park, and many tell us they had to leave because they couldn’t find a spot.”
The project includes street paving, sidewalks, utility upgrades, lighting and traffic signal improvements, parking and beautification improvements, such as landscaping and pavers.
Once repaving along Lovers Lane was completed, work began on repaving the parking area in front of the businesses, which makes passage to Interbank, Sugar and Sage Bakery, Barbecues Galore, and Firestone, among others, more difficult.
Open sign remain outside the businesses along Lovers Ln. in a construction site, on Tuesday, Sept. 30, 2025 in Dallas.
Shafkat Anowar / Staff Photographer
Next, work will proceed to the next block, which features businesses such as Hudson House and the Elements clothing store. Finally, it will reach the last block, where Chip’s is.
Later, work will cover the parking lot of the businesses across the street, which currently is being used as an avenue for traffic detours to the east.
Ruedy said the city of University Park doesn’t provide financial assistance or business interruption stipends related to construction projects.
“The city has a responsibility to maintain and replace aging and failing infrastructure to ensure long-term safety and service reliability for the entire community,” she said in the statement.
One of the measures implemented by the city was to open the parking lot at 4141 Lovers, next to Highland Park High School, and designate a golf cart shuttle to transport customers who want to reach those businesses. However, according to business owners, few people use it.