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by Jackie Kent,KOMONewsReporter
SEATTLE — The owner of a new, small business is claiming construction and crime near Seattle's Westlake Park are devastating his business, and he's calling on the city for help.
Lingon restaurant, next to ongoing construction at the park off 5th and Pine, is temporarily closing for a couple of weeks. Owner Edward Bunker posted a notice on the front door stating, in part, that he was giving his employees a break, and he also blasted the city of Seattle for what he's calling a "lack of support."
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"They just haven't helped us," Bunker told KOMO News about what he meant in the post. "Customers told me they’re literally scared to walk down the street and come to my business."
He claims it's been tough to attract customers around the construction while the park gets renovations ahead of the World Cup, and because of ongoing safety issues, he said, like open-air drug use and homelessness.
"As far as what I’d like to see from the mayor, I’d like to see some crime prevention," Bunker added. "I’d like to see some cleaning up of the streets, making people feel safe again."
In her first State of the City address on Tuesday, Mayor Katie Wilson spoke directly to business owners about a few other areas where she hopes to help small businesses.
"The Office of Economic Development’s Small Business Expediting Program is working to cut red tape for small businesses across the city," she said. "We are offering more support for small businesses to address property damage and security issues through the Back to Business fund."
Spokespeople with the SODO Business Improvement Area and Downtown Seattle Association say they appreciate the message of collaboration.
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"I find her approach very measured. She's taking the time to really evaluate and not make very rapid decisions, and I appreciate that," said Erin Goodman with the SODO BIA.
"At the Downtown Seattle Association, we’re committed to partnering with her and her team around what we see as a lot of shared agreement: we want more jobs, we want the city to be more affordable, we want it safer, we want more people helped off the streets," DSA President and CEO Jon Scholes added.
Bunker said when the park fencing does come down in time for the World Cup, he hopes any changes that may happen stay long-term to help benefit everyone.
"I’m very optimistic. I hope [the mayor] can help small businesses and help turn around this city," Bunker stated.
KOMO News emailed the mayor's office and the OED about Bunker's concerns and what can be done to alleviate the reported challenges there, but did not hear back as of news time Tuesday.
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