Businesses owners in Seattle’s Pioneer Square neighborhood who are fed up with the process of the streetcar project spoke out Friday after the city announced the project is millions over budget.
Phil Bevis of Arundel Books has had his business for more than three decades, but he's not afraid to pick up and leave his area.
"Yeah I'm done with it, and frankly if they announce they're going through with the project then I'm done with Pioneer Square," said Bevis.
Construction has been halted outside of his First Avenue South business for months.
"The people who want to come see us can't do it. It's too hard, and it's not like there’s some pot of gold at the end of this streetcar rainbow, right? There's just nothing there," said Bevis.
Down the street at Delicatus, owners say customers don't come as often, because they can't find parking due to streetcar construction. But at this point this city doesn’t know if it can afford to finish it.
In March, Seattle Mayor Jenny Durkan halted the project while an outside company conducted an audit.
The city announced Friday the streetcar project is $100 million over budget. In total the project could end up costing more than $250 million.
"They might as well take the 250 million bucks and throw it into the Sound – I mean seriously," said Bevis.
For business owners like Bevis he says it's time for the city to break up with the idea.
"Maybe in another city in another time but not here and not now," Bevis.
