This past Sunday the husband and I decided to eat breakfast at Puget Sound Pizza. I had promised the day before that I would text my friend Jason as to what time we would be leaving the house and heading downtown. What came next brought back a flood of horrible memories I would soon like to forget.



Shortly after my text, I got a phone call from Jason, “I can’t stay to eat because I have to get up to Seattle, but I want to grab a breakfast sandwich to go.” I replied, “That’s cool, we’ll see you for a few minutes before you have to jam.”



Shortly after, I receive another phone call, but this time Jason is highly agitated. “I can’t get down to PSP. Every road is blocked, and I don’t have time to try every plausible way to get there. This is BS. Jim must be losing a ton of business because of this crap.” Yikes. I assured Jason that we would not give up. We would find a way, which we did — but it wasn’t easy.



Less than a week ago, I sat with the owner of PSP, Jim Higgins, while he lamented about lost business because of the LID project. He knew I could relate. Approximately one year after I opened Vin Grotto this city decided to tear up Pacific Avenue during prime restaurant and retail season (Thanksgiving and Christmas 2004).



Now I understand the city has to make improvements, but I just don’t think the city REALLY understands the impact these projects have on businesses that are barely hanging on by a thread to begin with. During the Pacific Avenue project, three businesses in my neighborhood failed shortly after the construction ended. If it had lasted much longer, I would have been the fourth.



The city does not have any legal obligation to help these businesses affected by the LID project stay afloat, but they could do much more to help them. Signs that say “Businesses are open during construction” just don’t cut it. If they have done anything else proactive, I am not aware.



I can’t just gripe and not offer solutions. How about matching these businesses dollar for dollar on advertising? They could offer them low interest city loans. Perhaps the city could give them a break on their taxes? Something. You better believe if Russell Investments was suffering, the city would step in to help. Oh, wait. They are …



On a lighter note, the city told Jim at PSP the project would be over by February. I asked, “Did you get it in writing?” He laughed, “Maybe I should have.” As if they would sign anything. But it was an amusing thought.



So what can we do? Get out there and spend some money at Puget Sound Pizza, Over the Moon Café, The Mix, Maxwell’s, Margaret’s Kitchen, any business in that Opera Alley area. They desperately need your patronage now so they can be here for us in future.