Portland businesses of all sizes and specialties are feeling the financial squeeze of the pandemic, pressuring some to close before the new year.
Like many other business owners, Kim Sandvold, the owner of Logik the Salon, off of 50th and Division in SE Portland has been struggling, despite following rigorous safety protocols, to keep her business afloat during Covid-19.
In addition to the pandemic, she shares that her business has been extra burdened by construction for TriMet’s Division Transit Project — which began in late 2019 and is scheduled to finish in 2022. Some of the improvements along this high crash corridor will be to increase bus service, install traffic signals prioritizing buses, protected bike lanes, and begin using three-door buses with room for 60% more riders.
But, for business owners like Kim who rely on public street parking for customers, this project will effectively remove the only parking option available outside of parking in neighborhoods. She says the majority of customers will not use public transit during the pandemic for health concerns.
KBOO’s Claire Rischiotto has more with this story.
- KBOO