Market St businesses struggle during construction

The headache that is the west end of Market St has been impacting far more than just traffic in Ballard — businesses west of 24th have been hit hard by the construction, with blocked driveways, non-existent parking options, and the constant drone of jackhammers.

Construction on the Ballard Multimodal Corridor has been ongoing since the start of the summer, and has reduced traffic to one way in both directions. There’s no parking along the stretch between 24th Ave NW and 30th, and detours are in place in some areas.

Hannah, whose mother owns Firehouse Coffee at 2622 NW Market St., says that summer is usually their busiest time — but not this summer.

“Summer is the most crucial time in making income and investing for the later seasons, however, it’s been stressful even making profit these days,” Hannah tells My Ballard.

She says that weekend construction has been especially devastating.

“The city gave us only a two-day notice that we had to close during one whole weekend because of the construction in front of our driveways, even though we told them that the weekends are the most crucial times for our business,” she says.

And then there’s the jackhammers.

“Many times there have been jackhammers right in front of our shop making brutally loud noises and, literally, shaking our building throughout the whole day.”

Hannah recognized that they’re lucky to have a parking lot — many businesses along the stretch rely on street parking for customers.

The Sloop Tavern is one such business — they say they’ve seen a downturn in their lunch business.

“This is gonna be going all summer and the city isn’t providing any economic assistance after taking all the parking and shutting driveways,” The Sloop writes on Facebook.

Brenda Reed, owner of Kiss Cafe, says they too have seen a smaller lunch crowd.

“Day time is less busy due to the confusion and chaos due to the construction,” Reed says. “It’s a huge mess.”

In an effort to encourage people to visit some of the struggling businesses, Windermere Real Estate in Ballard made the above map of cafes, shops, bars, and other business along that stretch.

The construction along Market St is expected to continue through the end of the summer. The Missing Link trail construction is on hold, however, due to the recent court ruling to halt work.

27 thoughts to “Market St businesses struggle during construction”

  1. If the trail were located along 54th, none of these disruptions would have occurred and the finished project would be better with a more direct route for the trail, less grade and fewer driveway crossings. Also, the vast majority of the public wanted the trail on 54th next to the railroad tracks between the locks and 24th.

    1. So not only have the Ballard Obstructionists cost taxpayers millions, they’re now costing businesses money.

      Maybe the new judge should take THAT financial impact into account and put the trail back on 54th.

  2. I fully agree that the Market Street route is a badly misguided decision. 54th street is the logical route both in terms of directness, cost effectiveness, and least disruption to businesses. I bet that when the full cost of the Missing Link project is revealed people will be shocked at the amount of money being wasted. I frequently walk along Market Street and I find what’s happening there to be absolutely insane.

  3. This will be happing to the rest of Market street next summer.

    Many of the changes are happening because the street needs to be improved even if the trail never gets completed.

    1. Wait until we starting building a hotel where Ballard Blossom is and an apartment complex where Monkey Bridge is. That will be fun.

          1. We should let the road deteriorate to the point where only large 4 wheel vehicles can safely drive on it. We should also never sell any buildings in order to build more housing. We should also create a law that forces businesses to stay operating and never to sell to developers. Temporary inconvenience is much worse than continually improving the community.

  4. Market St is still the best location for the trail. The road would need to be dug up and renovated at some point regardless of whether there would be a trail there or not.

    As a pedestrian and occasional biker I much prefer Market St as the more direct route connecting the two parts of the trail. Plus, once there’s a nice trail there with wider paths for pedestrians and fewer cars zooming by I’ll be MORE inclined to spend time at the local businesses there. This year may be painful for the businesses but I would expect an uptick in business once this is all complete.

    1. There are benefits go having a trail along Market St, and hopefully it will be good for those businesses. But two condo buildings are scheduled to go up on Market between 24th and the Nordic Museum. Every car going in or out of those buildings will now have to cross the trail. That wouldn’t have happened if the trail was running closer to the waterfront.

      1. I didn’t know about two buildings going on that stretch of Market. I only know of the Ballard Yards project at 2417 Market (where Ballard Transfer was), and that indeed only has driveways on the south side of the building on 54th St. Also it’s not a condo building, it’s an apartment building. What’s the other building you know of?

  5. While you hambones bitch about routes and whatever, I’m going to be grabbing my pints for the next few weeks at The Sloop. That’s how you help them…and maybe even walking there and back will burn off a few pounds gained from sitting at the laptop all day, pounding donuts and posting comments.

    1. The Sloop is great and they’ll appreciate your business. Although it’s also not a place where self-righteousness is tolerated, so you might leave that at the door.

      1. LOL I guess you never go in there then, do you? You’re just about the living definition of self-righteous. Even when I agree with you, I shake my head and ask “Why’s he always such a dick?” Skal!

        1. I go there often and I always check whatever self-righteousness I have at the door. I’d recommend you do the same if you ever go there. 👍

          Even when I agree with you, I shake my head and ask “Why’s he always such a dick?”

          And your posts are just the epitome of cordial conversation, aren’t they?

          1. Sorry. I’m not the hypocrite here. I hadn’t given you any advice on tone policing your posts :) I never said my posts or your posts were anything, one way or the other, until you took your swipe. Skal again!

          2. Just another Bernie Bro that thinks since white men have always controlled the conversation, that they still get to. Doesn’t react well to others being allowed to talk.

    2. I agree we need to support the local Ballard businesses, except of course the very small minority of businesses known as the Ballard Obstructionists. For them I have two words boy cot.

    1. Many trail users will be grateful when it’s completed. It’s for everyone, not just cyclists. That’s one of the many reasons Salmon Bay Sand and Gravel’s cycle track doesn’t make sense.

      South Shilshole also needs to be fixed. I look forward to the city repaving it, adding designated driveways, organized parking, marked crossings and a wide sidewalk. All are needed for all those folks who attended the market and other business in the area.

  6. So courts are “holding the trail work up” eh? Well then, isn’t this THE very same American system you all love when it comes to suing the Trump administration? Why yes, yes it is. And then its a great thing, isn’t it, you pathetic whiners.

  7. Went to The Sloop for a couple beers tonight. We’re committing to two nights a week. We never used to go before. But we had friendly service and a good time so why not go back? Join us!

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