Construction pains

I feel for the people and businesses that are being affected by Metro’s light rail construction. I wish that these large construction projects could be done without that kind of disruption, but it happens, and it sucks. What amazed me in reading this story was what some of those folks had to say about it:

Despite his troubles, Townley supports the rail project.

“Metro has not lied to me,” he said. “The fact that (construction) is killing me doesn’t change the fact that it’s for the greater good.”

Greanias and other Metro officials have met with various business owners. The agency is discussing whether to adjust the assistance fund guidelines, but no decision will be made before the November board meeting.

Board Chairman Gilbert Garcia said Metro is sensitive to business owners and is trying to finish the rail lines as quickly as possible.

Sochia Muschia told the board Thursday that her family’s Cuz-N-Laws Wholesale restaurant supply business at 3510 Leeland has applied twice for the $25,000 award but doesn’t qualify because its pre-construction revenue exceeded the allowed maximum.

“People at Metro have been very kind, but it doesn’t change the fact that it has nearly destroyed us,” she said.

It’s easy to joke about the exuberance of the “New Metro”‘s branding campaign, but this is what it’s all about. They’ve been honest brokers with the community, and that makes a big difference even if the financial support they’ve been able to give has fallen short. Think about how this story might have been written a couple of years ago. Quite the difference, no?

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