PORTLAND, Ore. -- First it was the economy. Now add road construction to the list of worries for retailers on Portland's NW 23rd Ave.
The safety barriers and the road-block signage were all in place for the road closure that stretched from Glisan St. to Everett St. and was expected to last for three weeks.
For businesses hanging by a thread, this project is kind of scary.
"What we want to do is just let people know that we are still here," said Judy Farinha, owner of Tribute's Pizza and Sandwich Shop. "And we'd love to have them come out. It's just construction -and we know that it needs to be done- but, please come out and support us."
She was not alone in dreading the three-week-long closure of NW 23rd Ave.
Starting at 7 a.m., Monday, the city entered a more aggressive phase of its long-awaited road, sewer and curb repairs.
"We've been fearing this for about three years," said Alex Vargas, manager at Santa Fe Taqueria.
The restaurant was surrounded on two sides by closure signs, construction dirt, gear and a lack of parking because if it.
Jeweler Jackie lamb just gave up on NW 23rd.
She cleared out her showroom, ready to move to Bridgeport Village in the suburbs. The move came with much consideration.
"You start looking at parking, you look at the road, you look at the neighborhood maybe changing a little bit," she explained. "I'm really sad to leave, and I didn't think I would do it, but I feel like it's a good move for us."
But not everyone was complaining. Neighbors such as Judy Cappleman said they're looking forward to the much-needed road repairs.
"It's Just been so awful for so long. So we're looking forward to it being a normal road."
But for some businesses, the anxiety was unprecedented.
"This is the first time that I've had a really tough time," said Farinha.
The closure phase of the project was expected to be finished by Friday, Feb. 26.
