JESUP - Remodeling is always a bit of a headache, but add in two blocks of downtown businesses, and it becomes a veritable migraine.

A streetscaping project will change the look along Young Street in Jesup over the next few weeks. Business owners say they hope the project's benefits will be worth the bother.

Work began last week on the project, which will add decorative lighting and colored concrete sidewalks along the 500 and 600 blocks of Young Street. Crews were laying new storm sewer pipes along the street next to City Hall.

There are plans, as well, to spruce up the city parks on the other side of the street. The contractor will work on 200-foot sections at a time.

"There's going to be some pain while it's going on, but in the big picture it's going to be a wonderful thing to happen," said Todd Rolfsen, Jesup Chamber of Commerce president.

Michelle Thoma, co-owner the Primitive Peddler, said she expects the results to be great, but worries about the problems that may come along with it. Thoma said the contractor told her that he'd give business owners a warning 48 hours before crews began working in front of their buildings.

The struggle will be to keep business from dropping during that period, Thoma said.

"You don't want to have customers drive by thinking you're closed just because there's construction equipment sitting outside," she said.

Others question how much benefit Jesup will see from the project. Steve Schmit said he owns the building where a new bar and restaurant called Bucketz opened recently. He said he installed new sidewalks before the business opened, and that will be torn up with this project.

"I'm think it's still a 'why do we need it' type deal," Schmit said.

Schmit said there are other issues facing Jesup, including the need for a new city hall building. The current structure, located at 601 Young St., was deemed unsafe and will be razed once funding is available for a new building. A $1.4 million bond referendum is scheduled for Sept. 23. Schmit said he believed the street work should be shelved until the new building is completed.

Contact Josh Nelson at (319) 291-1565 or josh.nelson@wcfcourier.com.