MARYSVILLE — While Marysville businesses and residents are eager for work on State Avenue to finish this summer, some shops in the work zones are struggling to stay open.
"The construction has hurt an awful lot of people on State Avenue," said Terry Sawyer, owner of Serendipity Home Decor.
Still, the project is ahead of schedule.
Construction on the 10-month, $6.4 million plan to improve nearly a mile of State Avenue between First and Grove streets began in October and is due for completion in August.
By changing the original schedule to take advantage of good weather and to be more efficient with materials, the project is ahead of schedule, city spokesman Doug Buell said.
"We kept going south to pick up some extra days," he said. "Right now we’ve saved 19 days. Our target is to open in July."
The project includes new sewer lines, burying electric lines, new sidewalks and fresh pavement.
The city has tried to minimize the effect the work is having on businesses by doing it in phases.
But that hasn’t been much a help to folks such as Sawyer. In October and November, Sawyer’s business dropped by half, even though the street was open in front of her store. Later, when construction was taking place directly in front of her store, business dropped 65 percent, she said.
"It was pretty devastating. My store was completely closed off for four days," she said.
Signs initially put out by the city said State Avenue was closed and suggested finding another route.
Later, after business owners complained, signs were erected that said the road was closed but businesses were open.
Customers at some stores have to walk through mud to get to the door, and some have to park several blocks away, Sawyer said. Many of her customers are older and don’t want that kind of inconvenience, she said.
"I’ve talked to at least 10 businesses that are suffering. Like everyone else, I’m scrambling to find ways to keep it going. And this could go on for another month," she said.
The No Limit Dance Studios, where dancers learn jazz, hip-hop, lyrical and tap, has been on State Avenue just off of Fourth Street for only seven months.
The construction has meant a lot more inconvenience for clients, who have to park farther away, in addition to the constant dust and dirt brought in because of the roadwork, said Pam Wylie, the studio’s bookkeeper.
"Our customers are not happy," Wylie said. "We go by exposure and our exposure has been cut off." Since the city eliminated parking on State Avenue, customers have been parking in the back in a bank parking lot, but the bank recently posted a sign saying non-customers’ vehicles will be towed.
Despite her frustration, Wylie praised the construction workers.
"They’re doing the best they can and they’ve been real nice," she said. "They’ve got to do what they’ve got to do."
"We want to limit the disruption to the area as much as we can," said Mary Swenson, the city’s chief administrative officer. "It’ll be tough. Unfortunately, with these projects, there’s no good way to do some of them."
The project has affected some businesses more than others, with most that were contacted saying it has or will cost them considerable revenue. Several businesses have cut back their hours or their workforce.
At the Espresso Connection coffee stand, business has dropped so much that only one employee — rather than two — is working all but the morning shift.
"We haven’t been hit as hard as others," said employee Monique Clayberg. "You could put a brick wall around this place and people would be skydiving in. Our customers are really loyal."
When the construction project is finished, the downtown will look much better, but "it’s just getting there" that’s difficult, she said.
Larry Hansen, general manager of Cascade Music, doesn’t have the same rosy outlook.
"I’m not sure how you’re supposed to stay in business when people can’t even get to your door on the sidewalk," he said.
Hansen said the first stages of the roadwork need to be finished quickly or "it’s going to drive some of those businesses out, no question about it."
Many of the business owners expect the last phase of the project — shutting down State Avenue from First to Fourth streets — will hurt the most when it comes, likely in May.
That last stage could be especially problematic for commuters trying to get onto I-5 using Fourth Street and those going southbound Highway 529.
With businesses already struggling on the entire route, Hansen said he isn’t looking forward to the final stage either.
"It’s going to be ugly," he said.
Reporter Cathy Logg: 425-339-3437 or logg@heraldnet.com.
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