Westfield begins construction on State Road 32, pushes to support local business

WESTFIELD, Ind. – Construction is underway along State Road 32, closing the section running through the center of Westfield.

The city is hoping to keep the downtown thriving amidst all the excavators and cranes. Right by the construction is Collective Beauty Salon and Med Spa.

They’ve been at this location for over two years, providing clients with blowouts and Botox. With Phase 1 of construction getting started, they said customers are already arriving a little late with the road work right outside their window.

“We’ve had a lot of clients calling,” said Tina Plantenga with the salon. “They are getting confused once they get to the downtown area, but we’ve been able to direct them through the detours and get them here.”

The light at Union Street has already been removed as crews work to beautify the area.

“We’ll be burying utilities, widening the road and then adding some pedestrian elements so that people feel more comfortable, whether they’re crossing 32 or just making their way through downtown,” said Kayla Arnold with the City of Westfield.

While great things are coming down the line, the project is a lengthy one. Construction will be active through 2026, and businesses are uncertain how they’ll last.

“It is a long process, and we do need the support of the community to help us get through it,” said Plantenga.

The city is pushing their Brave the Barricades initiative and giving out punch cards as an incentive to keep supporting local businesses even while construction is ongoing.

When you make five purchases at participating businesses, you’ll be entered to win a prize from the shops involved.

Something Splendid is another store seeing fewer people coming in to sip and shop.

“When there’s heavier construction, we’ve noticed our foot traffic kind of dies down,” said Erynn Petruzzi, one of the store’s owners.

The boutique and wine bar said they are also supporting their neighbors by shopping locally as often as they can.

“People are invested in Westfield and they want to be here, and they’re supportive,” said Arnold. “It’s really exciting to see them, you know, work together and come up with ways to help promote each other.”

To learn more about the State Road 32 construction, click here. More information about Brave the Barricades and the other businesses involved can be found here.