PITTSBURGH — Pittsburgh Water is replacing lead water lines along Liberty Avenue in Bloomfield, and small businesses say they’re losing money because of the construction.
For nearly 5 years, Justin Avi has run Saint Ravioli off Liberty Avenue.
“I’ve loved my time in Bloomfield. I wish the last year wasn’t like this, but it’s just the reality we’re dealing with,” Avi said.
Bloomfield is one of 4 neighborhoods where Pittsburgh Water is replacing lead waterlines.
Avi said, “Obviously we don’t want lead in our water, but man, it would’ve been a lot nicer if we could’ve gotten this done in even a month.”
The lead line replacements started this summer, and business owners can tell.
“It’s a tremendous impact. People can’t park, and if people can’t park, they can’t come into our business,” said Dave Cee.
Dave Cee, who owns Groove Gallery and Records, says he’s seen a 58% decrease in business since the construction began.
“We’ve been here for a year and a half. We had no clue that they were going to tear the streets up. Had we known that, we probably would have made a different decision or would’ve had the landlord prepare for rent concessions or something like that,” Cee explained.
The Pleasure Bar, which had been in Bloomfield since 1941, is now closed, and the building is up for sale.
“I don’t blame them. I’ve had a lot of really tough conversations with fellow lessees and owners on the street, and we’re kind of all in the same boat here,” Avi said.
Pittsburgh Water says all lead service lines will be replaced by the end of next year. The majority of the Bloomfield water main construction should be done this fall.
This construction is in addition to the major project on Penn Avenue, which is already pushing outbound traffic onto Liberty for at least another year.
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