SHORELINE — There’s one sure-fire way to tell if a construction project has been successful: the people who once opposed the design concept are happy.
Expected to be completed by the end of July, the North City Project has had its share of opposition, most notably from a handful of business owners on 15th Avenue Northeast opposed to the roadway reconfiguration from four lanes to three between Northeast 172nd and Northeast 180th streets.
Four lanes were eventually retained and now, together with wider sidewalks, lampposts, newly planted trees, new street signals and underground utilities, most business owners are pleased with the $7 million project. Construction began in May 2005.
“Overall it is a better North City,” said John Sims, owner of Frank Lumber, The Door Store. “Everybody should be happy with that.”
Sims was originally one of five property owners who refused to sign a property easement for the project, saying the three-lane design hindered traffic flow. He also collected about 200 letters from residents who did not support restriping 15th Avenue Northeast.
Although he says North City has improved, Sims acknowledges that the solution still may not be perfect.
“In reality, the sidewalks are much too wide and the four lanes are not quite wide enough,” Sims said. “It is not a good win-win situation for the third party who is using it all the time.”
The owner of North City Dry Cleaners, Eric Giessen, said even customers who complained about the inconvenience of driving through construction have recently told him the roadway “looks really nice.”
Business has been down between 20-30 percent and Giessen anticipates it will take another year before business is completely back to normal, if not better than ever.
Giessen also originally was opposed to the three-lane roadway configuration.
“I did not think that changing (the roadway) to three lanes would help businesses at all,” said Giessen, who has been in business for 27 years.
Minor inconveniences have included being without water, power or gas, he said, “which is expected.” Giessen has plans for some improvements to his store, including a new roof and “something to brighten up” the front exterior.
“We still have people who think they’ve gone to extremes and didn’t have to spend all this money,” he said, “but everyone who comes in here to do business loves it.”
The project cost too much taxpayer money, said Shoreline resident James Freeman, who frequents the North City Lounge and Grill. Freeman has lived in the North City neighborhood since 1955 and walks to the business district from his home several times a week.
“I like the sidewalks, although they spent too much money,” said Freeman, 65. “I am a frugal person.”
The project was expected to be completed by the end of June, said Shoreline capital projects manager John Vicente, adding that there have been some delays.
Some shifts in business occurred during construction, Vicente said, with various businesses coming and going.
“To the best of my knowledge no one went out of business as a direct result of construction,” Vicente said.
Many residents and business owners have told him they are pleased with the project.
“So far it has been nothing but compliments,” Vicente said. “There was one negative comment about the work from one person; everyone else has been very positive.”
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