Streets lined with trees, pedestrians walking on broad sidewalks and businesses thriving — these are just some of the improvements the Cumberland Avenue Corridor Project promises to bring to Knoxville’s busy “Strip” by 2017.

But for now, the rows of traffic lined between Alcoa Highway and 22nd Street reveal that the dream of the Cumberland Avenue Project is far from a reality, especially for the businesses situated near the construction.

Matt Lovern, general manager of Cookout on Cumberland Avenue, said he has noticed a significant drop in business since construction began April 6.

“As far as the construction goes, it’s just kind of killing our daytime business,” said Lovern, noting that most commuters seem to be avoiding construction around Cumberland Avenue in order to stay out of traffic.

While student patrons have continued to support Cookout during the corridor’s transition phase, Lovern said he fears the closing of 22nd Street for construction will significantly hurt his business, as the road offers the only access to Cookout’s parking lot and drive through.

“This is a crucial time for us using our patio, so when people don’t want to be out there … there’s really not much we can do,” Lovern said.

The first phase of the project’s construction is scheduled to last until June 6, with KUB utility work focusing on the installation of water, waste water and natural gas utilities during that time. By December 2015, the second phase of the construction will focus on areas between 22nd and 17th Street, with completion dates currently set for Aug. 31, 2017.

In the meantime, restaurants like Cookout can expect further traffic jams and road closures, including a six-week closure from June to July of all eastbound traffic between University Commons and West Volunteer Boulevard.

Anne Wallace, project manager for the Cumberland Avenue Project, has repeatedly defended the construction process.

During a City Council Meeting in late March, Wallace acknowledged that while “competing interests” might lead to some tension during the construction phase, the final project would ultimately offer a “solution for a corridor that is currently not working well.”

For some, like the general manager of Sunspot, Mark Hawkins, optimism for the future of Cumberland Avenue businesses remains strong. While Sunspot is situated directly across the street from utilities work near 22nd Avenue, Hawkins believes business will improve as people’s familiarity with the construction increases.

“I think it was a little harder at first, but then I think people are figuring it out now and dealing with it better,” Hawkins said. “I think it’s unfortunate that we have to go through growing pains, but in the long run, this is going to be best for everybody.

“A Cumberland Avenue that’s more pedestrian friendly is the ultimate goal here.”