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PHOENIX — With a combination of light rail construction and a seasonal summer slowdown, Downtown and central Phoenix businesses are taking a financial hit.

Businesses ranging from hotels to eateries to little shops are feeling it in the pocketbook.

Some business owners say they have lost 60 percent of their revenues while construction on the Phoenix convention center has cost hotels thousands of dollars in lost bookings.

Some Central Avenue businesses have held weekly meetings and have pressured Phoenix city leaders to offer more help to shops that lost customers because of light-rail construction. The city and transit officials say they offer marketing advice, loans and other help to shop owners.

Phoenix City Councilman Tom Simplot said he sympathizes with merchants.

"It's time to think of new ideas, be creative and to work together," Simplot said.

Shop owners complain the rail line's marketing efforts are ineffective, and only about a dozen businesses along the line have used the loan program.

But some merchants believe better times are just around the corner. The new convention center, the 20-mile Metro light-rail line, a 1,000-room Sheraton hotel and other projects will help lift future bottom lines, they say.