Hallie Dumont, assistant manager at Nicholas Coffee Company in Market Square, attributes her slow business to the ongoing construction.“We’ve definitely noticed a change… foot traffic is not as dense as it had been,” Dumont said.Dumont also noted that the lack of parking has driven away many would-be customers.However, because the company has been in the same location for over 50 years they have a very loyal client base, and much of their regular business has shifted to Internet sales and wholesale shipping.“People are definitely willing to pay shipping rather than deal with construction and no parking,” Dumont said.But most of the businesses in Market Square do not have that option. While all of the businesses agree that things have been slow, it seems the situation is worse for new businesses like the Mexican restaurant Las Velas, which opened in October.
 “It has been a huge challenge,” owner David Montanez said. “People would come in and say, ‘This is really good. We’ll be back when [the construction] is finished.’”
 Currently, most of the businesses are staying afloat solely on lunches. Despite the efforts of the Pittsburgh Downtown Partnership (PDP) to encourage people to dine in Market Square while construction is underway, most of the restaurants are empty in theevenings.
Despite the current situation, most local business owners are excited about the reconstruction of the space, which is an initiative of the mayor’s office intended to attract more visitors and businesses to the square.
 “It’s really important to have active, functional spaces – it improves the livability, it makes it a much more positive, happy place for people to be,” Kathleen Zawrotniak, the PDP program and events manager, said regarding why the city decided to redesign the space.
 Market Square is older than the United States Constitution – it has been around since 1784 – and it has always held a central position in Pittsburgh. Initially, it functioned as the town square, hosting Pittsburgh’s first courthouse. Later, the Market Houses became a place to shop. Today, Market Square’s attractions consist of its many restaurants, free concerts and the Farmer’s Market.
 Fresh fruits and vegetables were not the only things being sold in Market Square. For the last several years, the city has been trying to control the excessive drug dealing that takes place in the square. A massive cleanup in early 2007 ultimately failed because of the Square’s design.
 “The trees that were there had very, very thick, dense foliage, so it blocked a lot of light. And the tree limbs were very low, so you couldn’t see from one side of the square to another,” Zawrotniak said. “The lighting was very old… it was dark… the police did come and they did a big clear-out of Market Square. They wiped everything out, but then nothing was there to fill that void. So all the negative elements just came right back in because there was nothing to displace them.”
 When the Mayor’s office requested help from the PDP for this project, one of the first things that they did was hire tree professionals. The new trees, which were planted last week, will be tall and will provide a dappled sunlight, as opposed to the low, dense limbs of the former trees. The space will also have improved lighting for movable tables and chairs. The center will be reserved for pedestrians.
 Zawrotniak said the newly designed space, combined with programming, will make the space much more lively and attractive.
 “Anything that activates the space we consider programming,” she said.
 This includes traditional “events” as well as plantings that change seasonally. Programming is important because it involves taking care of Market Square, which sends the message that someone is paying attention.
 Another part of the design that should serve to benefit the businesses is that the street will be raised up to the same level as the sidewalk, creating a European-style piazza.
 “It really connects the business to the center,” Zawrotniak said. “So when you’re sitting in an outdoor cafe, you feel like you’re part of everything.”
 The center of the square, which is currently fenced off, is expected to open at the beginning of June. The Farmer’s Market will resume on Wednesdays from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., as will the free concerts on Thursdays from noon to 1 p.m.