Part two in a two-part series. Part one appeared in the Aug. 29 Times/News.

Burien Mayor Joan McGilton is optimistic about the future of business along First Avenue South-and the benefits this upgraded arterial will bring the city-once the current reconstruction project is completed.

McGilton told the Times/News she thinks the First Avenue South Improvement Project "is going very well" despite complaints that construction is hurting businesses along the street.

"I think the city has done everything that it was in control of to protect the business interests," she said, noting that "some difficulty" was expected from undergrounding utility connections.

"Of course there are ongoing issues, but with good communication, they seem to quickly resolve," the mayor added.

The $26.2 million construction project between South/Southwest 162nd Street and South/Southwest 146th Street got underway late last summer, and is expected to take at least 18 months to complete.

In addition to rebuilding the roadway, the work includes replacement of a water main, relocating above-ground utility lines underground, and installing new turn lanes, street lighting, sidewalks and crosswalks, curbs and gutters, and landscaping.

Frank Coluccio Construction Company is the general contractor.

Burien Public Works Director Stephen Clark said the project is behind schedule because of last winter's bad weather, a cement processing strike, and unanticipated problems encountered during the rebuilding of First Avenue and undergrounding utility lines.

Several businesses along First Avenue South have reported heavy financial losses-with some going out of business-as the result of construction.

McGilton noted that similar frustrations were voiced by business owners during the renovation of Southwest 152nd Street a few years ago.

"But once the work was done, everyone was very positive regarding ... the finished street. Therefore, my perspective is one of hope," she said.

"First Avenue needed the upgrade. Getting rid of the overhead wires, the multiple driveways, and putting some turn controls in place will make the street a safer and more beautiful addition to our community."

With a project of this magnitude, "there is going to be pain and it is inevitable," Burien Economic Development Director Dick Loman observed.

The city is trying to make the process "as painless as possible" for businesses affected by construction activity, Loman said.

"Give me a break," said Harvey Aulgur, owner of Sounds On Wheels on First Avenue South near Southwest 153rd Street.

While "people from the city say the construction workers 'always leave a place for people to get through to the businesses,'" Aulgur noted that "customers must know the code ahead of time-honk at the flaggers and point to which driveway you want to enter."

Not only has the project been "dirty, ugly, nasty, loud and shaking, Sounds on Wheels has incurred considerable losses," he continued. "I can document it. We've been down an average of $1,000 a day."

Aulgur, who owns four buildings on First Avenue South, said one of them was shaken so hard by vibrations from construction work outside that window glass cracked.

Diane Herr-Lorella of Herr Backyard Garden Center, 107 S.W. 160th St., another business hard hit by the project, said they are still "trying to be a team player. We even had a party for the construction workers."

Some of the contractors told her they had never worked on this kind of project before.

One of her primary complaints is that the city allowed Coluccio "to work 24-7.... I feel worry for the businesses that are open at night."

One such business is Burien Nissan at 16042 First Ave. S.

"We are open till 9 p.m. but we might as well close down earlier," said Bob Brice, Internet fleet sales manager for the car dealership, who estimated that sales this summer have been down 20 to 25 percent from last year.

"We have had to rely on Internet customers who haven't been in the area and don't know any better," he said.

Reduced parking has been an issue for most businesses in the construction zone and Burien Nissan is no exception.

Work crews "took away 40 spots," Brice noted. "When they say they aren't blocking the business entrance, they are. I've had customer complaints left and right. They could be nicer to businesses."

Capt. Michelle Pierce of the Salvation Army Thrift Store, 16033 First Ave. S., said repeated power outages without advance notice have added to the inconvenience, which includes having their parking lot cut up.

This makes it "difficult during business hours when people are wanting to buy something and they can't" because of the power outages, Pierce said.

The Salvation Army's legal department is handling a possible complaint, she added.

Several claims for compensation, both for lost income and property damage, already have been filed against the city, Coluccio and its insurance company.

These claims, said Burien City Councilman Gordon Shaw, appear to fall in "a gray area of liability."

This has caused delays in settling the claims because "the issue is making people stay an arm's length away from it."

Describing the project as "very tough [and] complex ... because of all the different phases of construction," Shaw suggested the city "could have done a better job of keeping individual businesses open.

"It seems to me that long stretches of street frontage were closed. There were not many customers who could navigate this.... I hope the businesses will still be alive when we come out the other end."

The upgraded street will make business "much more profitable" for those that survive, he predicted.

Several business owners along First Avenue agree.

"In the long run, it will be nice when it is done," said Lisa Herr of Herr Backyard Garden Center. "Until then, help!"

"This should have been done a long time ago," Brice concurred. "Life goes on and change is good. It will be good for the community."

Aulgur also thinks rebuilt First Avenue "will be great when it is done-provided we make enough money to stay in business."

"All parties have been suffering through it, but I am confident that it will be worth it and when we are finished it will be a better place to be than before," said Loman.

Russ Rizzo, owner of ABC Radiator Service at 15855 First Ave. S., whose businesses losses amount to approximately 40 percent compared to his receipts last year, took a different view.

"I think it will be beautiful," Rizzo said, but "no one will be here to see it. It will be the prettiest little ghost town."