By Michelle Ye Hee Lee | The Republic | azcentral.com
Ana Berzan owns a small Eastern European grocery store at the southwestern corner of 19th and Northern avenues, where light-rail construction is going full bore as Valley Metro expands its route.
Berzan said De La Ana European Delicatessen’s regular customers have stopped dropping in as frequently — and some have stopped entirely — because of the messy roadwork. Her accountant quit visiting at lunchtime because parking is a hassle, and delivery trucks can’t park in front of her store anymore, so Berzan hauls shipments herself during work hours.
“People don’t even want to come here, knowing there’s construction,” Berzan said. “Some people are like, ‘We have to make it a field trip to come to your place.’ ”
Businesses, such as Berzan’s, that have been disrupted by the clamor, dust and detours of light-rail construction will eventually get property-tax breaks from Maricopa County to salve their wounded revenue, thanks to a new initiative by Maricopa County Assessor Paul Petersen.
