Businesses on Congress Street in Tucson have been hoping and waiting for downtown renovation projects for years, having heard about multiple ideas and proposals to improve the area. However, as Tony Paniagua reports, despite the multi-million dollar Rio Nuevo Project that began in the 1990's, those in the area say dozens of merchants have not been able to survive and have been forced to shut their doors.

One of those who remains but continues to expect changes for the better is Emery Nicoletti who opened Metropolis on Congress more than a decade ago. He chose this as a second location for his business, saying he wanted to operate a hair salon in what he thought would be an up and coming arts/commercial district. Nicoletti says progress has been slow, however, and he adds that all of his immediate neighbors have closed their doors over the years due to a lack of business to keep them afloat.

Near Metropolis, John Flanagan opened Flanagans' Celtic Corner, where he's been for operating for a year and a half. He says a marketing survey indicated that the northwest and east sides would be better for his business, but he explored downtown and got a very good deal on the building he is leasing. Flanagan says about 40 percent of his clientele is made up of pedestrians who happen to walk by the store and the rest are from festival and internet sales.

Nicoletti and Flanagan say they want to continue their presence in downtown Tucson but they say it's difficult so they city leaders, developers and others join forces to try to turn the downtown dreams into reality.