P Street Business Owners Want Construction Project Done
On February 13th, a meeting at the The Georgetown Club was held to clarify the next phase of the O&P street rehabilitation, and at the same time to listen to concerns from the business owners on the east end of the 3200 block of P Street.
“The mix of residential and business properties on this block presents concerns and potential impacts unique to the project thus far,” city officials stated. The main concern was parking for the businesses that depend on customers moving in and out during the day.
The construction plan was presented in two phases. The north side (Phase 1), will take four to six weeks. Phase 2, the south side, will take three to five weeks. Several business owners were concerned that parking would be impossible for the entire length of time, and an alternative plan was discussed - to finish both sides of the residential portion of the block, then add phase 3 and 4 to finish the business section. Other owners were concerned that adding the extra phases would lengthen the project by two months, taking over 4 months in total.
“We have over 100 people (clients and employees) in and out of the salon on any given day,” Lo-Ann Lai, the owner of Salon L’eau commented. “We want it done – over with as fast as possible.”
For residents, alleys will not be accessible for much of this time, and street parking not at all.
Trash will be picked up on 33rd Street – supervisors on the job will help move trash if needed, and all cans should be properly marked so they can be returned.
After further discussions, the original two-phase plan was kept in place, with the end of April as the targeted completion date.