A streetcar named 'trouble' is causing pain in the Int'l District
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SEATTLE - New streetcar construction is creating a sales nightmare for businesses in the International District as traffic tie-ups block customers' access to their shops.
At the New Saigon Deli, it is supposed to be the busiest time of year. But owner Hoa Thai says she's making fewer sandwiches these days.
"Some people, they order, then they cannot get in. And they call me to cancel," says Thai.
She says they're cancelling orders because of construction along the Jackson Street corridor in the International District.
It's all part of a two-year project to construct a $132 million streetcar line that will run from Pioneer Square through the International District to First Hill and then Capitol Hill, connecting two existing link light rail stations in those neighborhoods.
"Our expectation is that with an operating street car line connecting these neighborhoods it will help move people between (those communities) and at the same time provide an economic boost to this community as well," says Rick Sheridan of Seattle's Transportation Department.
But in the meantime, the street closures are causing short-term pain. Part of the intersection at 12th and Jackson streets was closed this weekend while crews continued utility work.
"With the traffic like this, it's even hard to find a parking spot. We had to circle around a couple times to come here," says International District visitor Liying Cui.
"They're seeing a lot of intense work - intense work that has short term impacts but ultimately will serve them well because they'll have this brand new utility infrastructure that will better support the (business district)," says Sheridan.
In the meantime, Hoa Thai is hoping the final project will outweigh the short-term hardship.
"I hope it's better, but I don't know. But right now it's very slow - we can not make money this year," she says.
The streetcar project is scheduled for completion at the beginning of next year.
At the New Saigon Deli, it is supposed to be the busiest time of year. But owner Hoa Thai says she's making fewer sandwiches these days.
"Some people, they order, then they cannot get in. And they call me to cancel," says Thai.
She says they're cancelling orders because of construction along the Jackson Street corridor in the International District.
It's all part of a two-year project to construct a $132 million streetcar line that will run from Pioneer Square through the International District to First Hill and then Capitol Hill, connecting two existing link light rail stations in those neighborhoods.
"Our expectation is that with an operating street car line connecting these neighborhoods it will help move people between (those communities) and at the same time provide an economic boost to this community as well," says Rick Sheridan of Seattle's Transportation Department.
But in the meantime, the street closures are causing short-term pain. Part of the intersection at 12th and Jackson streets was closed this weekend while crews continued utility work.
"With the traffic like this, it's even hard to find a parking spot. We had to circle around a couple times to come here," says International District visitor Liying Cui.
"They're seeing a lot of intense work - intense work that has short term impacts but ultimately will serve them well because they'll have this brand new utility infrastructure that will better support the (business district)," says Sheridan.
In the meantime, Hoa Thai is hoping the final project will outweigh the short-term hardship.
"I hope it's better, but I don't know. But right now it's very slow - we can not make money this year," she says.
The streetcar project is scheduled for completion at the beginning of next year.
It sounds like some people want them to wave a magic wand and just have it done, there. Construction sucks but that is what has to happen to get it done. To bad. Cry some where else.
Perhaps Siagon Deli should get their act together before worrying about the business lost to the streetcar, perhaps they have lost business due to food safety
JS
from kincounty.gov
Establishment:Saigon Deli1237 S. Jackson St., Seattle, WA 98144Date closed:February 14, 2013 at 3:30 PMReason:Potentially hazardous foods at unsafe temperaturesImproper cooling of potentially hazardous foodInadequate facilities to control temperature, cold holdingFood not protected from contaminationEquipment/utensils not properly sanitizedFailure to correct repeated violationsStatus:Closed
@Burma Thought you should know that is a totally different establishment pal. The place you are talking about is Saigon deli. The place stated in this article is "New Saigon deli"..Similiar names but they're different spots. I know.
I took a drive to Pike Place a couple weekends ago and was reminded why I never drive to Seattle. Â Trying to get from Pike Place back towards the freeway/99 I had to make 4 detours thanks to construction/blocked roads. Â Meanwhile parking was a disaster, the streets are in horrible shape and this lead to a very negative experience.
Omelette/eggs. Â
Seattle city-planners are not thinking the consequences,they are killing the business more thanÂ
helping.Parking already pain in the rear and now they are making more messes....I don't think IÂ
want to shop in Seattle no more ! Â
Didn't the SLUT cause problems in Lake Union? But parking is bad there anyway.
@Vince 5000 workers moving into the area before the roads were ready for it was the big problem.Â
This is what the voters asked for so just bend over and enjoy it.
Many times I have heard people beg and cry for something and when they get it then they don't want it. Sorry folks, but changes will mess things up for a while and most of the time there is no way around it. I am sure Portland, Or. is having the same complaints and trouble from their expansion of their light rail. Once in things will be better and easier for people to get around and things will get back to normal.Â
As a tax payer and someone who works in the ID, i'm super excited and glad this is happening. And honestly the timeline isn't that bad. I cut across town via the SLU SC every day to meet up with my commuting buddy and its quiet and on time as long as no morons park on the tracks (I wish the street car had a plow)
I don't know if the planners even cared how it would impact the businesses for the short-term. Â I hope the businesses in the area recover just fine in spite of the enviro-wacko gimmicks.
You have to understand how "planners" think.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=P9BUyWVg1xI
In their efforts to pander to the unions and environmental wackos, the city council and mayor feel that taxpayers and business will continue to take all the crap they are given. Government schools continue to inculcate liberal attitudes in the children.
Streetcar is such a gimmick.
@UtterReality Really? have you even seen or ridden the SLUSC? I ride it every single day and that thing is packed to the brim during commuting hours.Â
@quidproquo Of course I have, along with the Portland streetcar.  Sure it is packed during commuting hours, but so are the buses!  There's good reason why American cities got rid of their streetcars 50 years ago - they make for lousy public transportation.  I have no idea why people think that going back to old technology equals progress.
Let's count the ways on why streetcars are a lousy option for public transportation:Â Â
1) No traffic signal priority or dedicated lanes make streetcar a very SLOW form of transit compared to bus rapid transit.
2) They are stuck on a fixed route and can't reroute around traffic or obstacles.
3) Difficult to enforce payment of fares.
4) Streetcar is VERY expensive to install and maintain. Â They do not even come close to supporting themselves financially.
5) Streetcar tracks are hazardous to autos (especially in the rain) and especially bicyclists.
6) Streetcars block traffic when stopped, unlike a bus that can pull off to the side.
7) Rail requires a relatively flat grade to operate.
The only scenario where I can see that streetcars would make sense over standard buses is in touristy areas, but even then I think that London style double decker buses would serve the same purpose for much cheaper.
@UtterReality Actually the reason america got rid of street cars was because the tire companies bought up all the equipment at prices far higher than they were worth to make cars more necessary.Â