Palmetto Street Merchants Put Up With Noise, No Parking For Undergrounding

It’s been a bit noisy and dusty, and the parking situation not ideal, but for the most part business owners on Palmetto Street in Pacifica have had no problem putting up with the undergrounding work that’s currently being done outside their store fronts.

“The workers were only out front of my store for a week, moved right along, cleaned up, and were courteous, and I have no complaints,” said Mike Biancalana, co-owner of John the Sign Guy.

Nate Greenberg, owner of Fog City Pet Supplies, also says the work didn’t effect him or his business too much.

“Customers still came in, the work out front was finished up pretty quick,” he said. "This neighborhood is a unique mix of commercial, residential and industrial and once the work on Palmetto is completely done I believe more people will visit the businesses here."

The folks at Rusty Hook Bait & Tackle admit it’s been “quite noisy” and Florey's Books owner Aaron Schlieve says he’s ready for the restricted parking to go away since it’s made it tougher for customers to access his store, but he adds, “in the end it’s all positive, and I think the changes will only help my business. Despite the no parking, noise and dust, I really have had no problem dealing with this first phase of work.”

Schlieve is referring to not only the undergrounding that’s going on right now to improve the visual appearance of the streetscape, but also the second phase of the project, which includes the streetscape design with new streets and sidewalks and eventually a new library.

It’s been two full months that workers have been out along much of Palmetto Street this summer, digging up the pavement to underground the overhead electrical lines, a portion of the street dig that was expected to be finished by September, but will now be finished by end of December this year, according to Pacifica City Councilmember Mike O’Neill.

“They have promised that there will be a temporary fix for Fog Fest in September and that was made very clear to them when they started,” he said. “The streetscape should start around first quarter 2014 and be completed by 2015.”

The project's cost of $2.2 million was paid for by the city's Capital Improvement Fund and grants.

“Of course I’m hoping the work will be done sooner than later,” said Schlieve talking over the noise, “but it’s a lot like making kids eat their vegetables. We have to do this for a healthy business environment and to better our community.”