‘I’m excited for the changes’: Businesses react to city of Bend’s Greenwood Avenue safety project now underway

BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) -- The city of Bend is making safety improvements on Greenwood Avenue, and part of the project led to this week's two-day closure of the busy road. 

"I'm excited for the changes, because there'll be more pedestrian access, and it's going to be easier to cross," Lone Pine Coffee Roasters owner Scott Witham said Tuesday.

Construction on Greenwood Avenue between Wall Street and Second Street is underway, a "quick build" part of the Midtown Crossings project that required a full closure of the stretch for Monday and Tuesday, reopening Wednesday morning.

Despite the several changes happening to Greenwood Avenue, including a lane reduction, bike lanes and some parking removal that have sparked debate before City Council approval, some businesses along the busy route into downtown are in favor, due to safety improvements.

Unofficial Logging Company co-owner John Heylin said, "I'm really looking forward to having a more pedestrian-friendly area. The safety of walking around downtown, I'm looking forward to expanding that down to Greenwood."

Witham said, "Our employees have a hard time parking on the other side of Greenwood crossing. They feel like it's dangerous."

Silver Moon Brewing co-owner James Watts said, "I think the possibility of increased traffic, both foot traffic, bike traffic obviously from the east side of Third Avenue could increase, making it a little bit easier to pass by our place as people head into downtown."

City of Bend Chief Operations Officer Russell Grayson told us about the $800,000 project. 

"We're going to be taking the road down from four lanes and parking on either side, with no bike facilities, to a three-lane section. So one lane to travel in each direction."

The project also includes: improved crosswalks and bike lanes. 

Grayson added, "What we're doing is we're putting in pedestrian refuges in the middle. So as you cross, you'll only be looking at one lane of traffic. You can get to the middle and then you can look at traffic on the other way, so you feel safe crossing that."

At Silver Moon Brewing, they say construction isn't hurting business. 

Watts said, "From a business standpoint, it doesn't affect us all that much."

Others believe the improvements will have positive impacts. 

Heylin said, "I think it's going to really help business on Greenwood."

 The city recommends finding alternative routes when you can, as you can experience delays and full closures with detours. The project is expected to be completed by Wednesday, August 14.