Waterfront businesses nervous over tunnel construction impacts
SEATTLE - As work progresses on the tunnel boring project along the Seattle waterfront, business owners are becomingly increasingly concerned about how it will affect their bottom line.
Once again this weekend, the Alaskan Way Viaduct was closed so that crews could reinforce the structure ahead of the tunnel project. It's one of many viaduct closures over the past few months.
"The challenge is going to be surviving it for the next four to five years as the viaduct comes down and the waterfront gets redeveloped," says Kevin Clark of Argosy Cruises.
Besides the viaduct closures and the rerouting of traffic along the waterfront, there is another major concern for waterfront businesses and visitors - the perennial issue of parking.
Parking spots are disappearing as construction progresses. And when visitors finally find a spot - it's not cheap.
"You have to be a little more mindful with where your going to park what your going to do and that kind of thing," said one waterfront visitor during a Sunday morning outing.
"Short-term parking is expensive," says Clark.
In fact, it can sometimes be the most expensive part of visiting the waterfront, costing anywhere from $15 to $30 a day.
It's a concern for businesses who are afraid visitors will just keep driving.
"Parking is going to be a big necessity to replace what's been lost with the construction," Clark says.
"And how much of a hassle will it be for them to get from their cars to the waterfront and back?" adds Bob Davidson of the Seattle Aquarium.
Another big unanswered question is - will all this construction help the waterfront business in the end?
"That's a big risk. We have four of five years of uncertainty down here," says Clark.
Business owners are confident it will be worth it - but the real challenge is the unknown. The goal now is to hang on to customers and keep businesses afloat while the viaduct continues to come down.
"We are probably down 8 to 9 percent from last year," Clark says. "It's significant.
"It will be a challenge," adds Davidson.
Business owners tell KOMO News they are working with each other and with the city to try and make the next few years work in their favor.
Once again this weekend, the Alaskan Way Viaduct was closed so that crews could reinforce the structure ahead of the tunnel project. It's one of many viaduct closures over the past few months.
"The challenge is going to be surviving it for the next four to five years as the viaduct comes down and the waterfront gets redeveloped," says Kevin Clark of Argosy Cruises.
Besides the viaduct closures and the rerouting of traffic along the waterfront, there is another major concern for waterfront businesses and visitors - the perennial issue of parking.
Parking spots are disappearing as construction progresses. And when visitors finally find a spot - it's not cheap.
"You have to be a little more mindful with where your going to park what your going to do and that kind of thing," said one waterfront visitor during a Sunday morning outing.
"Short-term parking is expensive," says Clark.
In fact, it can sometimes be the most expensive part of visiting the waterfront, costing anywhere from $15 to $30 a day.
It's a concern for businesses who are afraid visitors will just keep driving.
"Parking is going to be a big necessity to replace what's been lost with the construction," Clark says.
"And how much of a hassle will it be for them to get from their cars to the waterfront and back?" adds Bob Davidson of the Seattle Aquarium.
Another big unanswered question is - will all this construction help the waterfront business in the end?
"That's a big risk. We have four of five years of uncertainty down here," says Clark.
Business owners are confident it will be worth it - but the real challenge is the unknown. The goal now is to hang on to customers and keep businesses afloat while the viaduct continues to come down.
"We are probably down 8 to 9 percent from last year," Clark says. "It's significant.
"It will be a challenge," adds Davidson.
Business owners tell KOMO News they are working with each other and with the city to try and make the next few years work in their favor.
