Biz owners: What about the drilling noise?
SEATTLE -- Gov. Chris Gregoire's support of a $4.2 billion tunnel option as a replacement for the crumbling Alaskan Way viaduct has sparked concerns, not only from critics but also from area business owners.
Some who work near the viaduct in downtown Seattle fear digging 200 feet down into the ground will generate disruptive noise that may hurt their business.
"I would hope they would be very sympathetic to the fact that there are business along First Avenue," said Jenne Neptune, manager of the Alexis Hotel.
From hotels to cafes, restaurants and shops, First Avenue is packed with business.
"I'm assuming with the viaduct, it (work) would be a constant all day. They're not really taking too much consideration for the businesses that are around," said Catherine Vansacker, employee of Etherea, a salon and spa specifically designed with serenity in mind.
"I think we'll just hear a lot of noise and rattling, not so much earthquake rattling but it's going to be a disruption like when you think of construction. That's what you're going to be hearing," Vansacker said.
The state Transportation Secretary Paula Hammond promises the tunnel technology is so advanced that disruptions should be minimal.
"It can be done to minimize impacts to the businesses above, but boy, we're sure going to be checking that as we move through the environmental and design phase of this project," said Hammond.
Hammond said the DOT will also make sure that it does not damage businesses above, which includes the Alexis Hotel - a long-standing building that's on the national historic registry.
"We've been through a lot. We've been through earthquakes other natural disasters, and I'm sure that the city is going to be very cautious when they're tunneling under First Avenue. We're not the only historic building on the block," Neptune said.
"This kind of construction can happen with absolutely no impact on the surface," said Rob Sexton of the Downtown Seattle Association.
Some who work near the viaduct in downtown Seattle fear digging 200 feet down into the ground will generate disruptive noise that may hurt their business.
"I would hope they would be very sympathetic to the fact that there are business along First Avenue," said Jenne Neptune, manager of the Alexis Hotel.
From hotels to cafes, restaurants and shops, First Avenue is packed with business.
"I'm assuming with the viaduct, it (work) would be a constant all day. They're not really taking too much consideration for the businesses that are around," said Catherine Vansacker, employee of Etherea, a salon and spa specifically designed with serenity in mind.
"I think we'll just hear a lot of noise and rattling, not so much earthquake rattling but it's going to be a disruption like when you think of construction. That's what you're going to be hearing," Vansacker said.
The state Transportation Secretary Paula Hammond promises the tunnel technology is so advanced that disruptions should be minimal.
"It can be done to minimize impacts to the businesses above, but boy, we're sure going to be checking that as we move through the environmental and design phase of this project," said Hammond.
Hammond said the DOT will also make sure that it does not damage businesses above, which includes the Alexis Hotel - a long-standing building that's on the national historic registry.
"We've been through a lot. We've been through earthquakes other natural disasters, and I'm sure that the city is going to be very cautious when they're tunneling under First Avenue. We're not the only historic building on the block," Neptune said.
"This kind of construction can happen with absolutely no impact on the surface," said Rob Sexton of the Downtown Seattle Association.
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