Downtown Port Angeles A Mess
Well, it worked. Let’s see, we’ll tear down both of the Eighth Street bridges at the same time. This will funnel all cross-town traffic through downtown Port Angeles. Then, at the same time, we’ll schedule the construction work on our downtown $14 million bus depot.
And that’s not all: Let’s also schedule downtown sidewalk construction at the same time, so that the main 2-lane streets can be narrowed to one lane. Everyone who's trying to get from Point A to Point B will have to go downtown, and when they get there they’ll have to sit in a traffic jam. A Perfect Storm.
One merchant on Front Street said he asked several weeks ago how long that lane on Front Street would be closed, and they told him “two more weeks.” A few days ago they told him again “two more weeks.” Next summer they’ll probably be saying “two more weeks.”
And now apparently several state regulations prohibit the city government from providing any economic assistance to downtown merchants whose businesses are suffering as a result. Too bad there weren’t any state agencies to intervene when Port Angeles was scheduling all of these projects for the exact same time.
And that’s not all: Let’s also schedule downtown sidewalk construction at the same time, so that the main 2-lane streets can be narrowed to one lane. Everyone who's trying to get from Point A to Point B will have to go downtown, and when they get there they’ll have to sit in a traffic jam. A Perfect Storm.
One merchant on Front Street said he asked several weeks ago how long that lane on Front Street would be closed, and they told him “two more weeks.” A few days ago they told him again “two more weeks.” Next summer they’ll probably be saying “two more weeks.”
And now apparently several state regulations prohibit the city government from providing any economic assistance to downtown merchants whose businesses are suffering as a result. Too bad there weren’t any state agencies to intervene when Port Angeles was scheduling all of these projects for the exact same time.
Labels: Downtown Port Angeles, Eighth Street Bridges, First Street, Front Street
posted by Tom Harper at 3:46 PM
4 Comments:
Are we supposed to be suprised our elected officials couldn't outwit a wet bag of hammers?
It's all part of Mayor Braun's insidiious plan to turn down town into a prison facility.
Once no one shops down town any more, the long vacant and newly closed storefronts can then be turned into prisoner housing. Some of the smaller spaces can easily hold 150 to 200 prisoners, the larger spaces a several hundred to a thousand prisoners. When you think of all the empty former retail space that will soon be available, that's a lot of prisoners!
Look out, Clallam Bay ... the Port Angeles Downtown Prison is coming soon!
(once the sidewalks get repaired ... in about two weeks)
the city could help us by waiving fees, taxes, and reducing rates for utilities and the like, the chamber of commerce could reduce their membership fees....
I love the way that the city, although outright engaged in restraint of trade because of the poor, poor hard-headed decision to proceed with all the projects AT ONE TIME can just wash their hands of it. Too bad the merchants don't sue the people who made this mess....and let a civil court figure it out!
There was no logical reason to do all three projects at once time. In fact, it's downright stupid. I blame that moron! (A paid city employee...who's not hurting from the projects....and could care less.)
Fear not, downtown friends!
Your PADA is hard at work, as ever, turning a silk purse into a sow's ear.
Sure there have been some complaints about the situation downtown. But these complaints come from the usual whine-about-anything, negative-nay-saying ninnies who must always complain about something. Please don't listen to them.
Downtown is thriving! Downtown is booming! Downtown is better than ever!
Your PADA is planning a really stupendous party to celebrate the completion of all of the construction projects which will include balloons, a parade with a float and a marching kazoo band and an Edna Peterson/Bob Stokes look-a-like contest. Aren't you excited?
The PADA will get back to you with more fun-filled details. We hope you'll still be in business to join in the festivities!
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