Paving crews spent Tuesday laying fresh asphalt to a one-block stretch of south 3rd street that for more than a year has resembled a mine field.
"I think it has really impacted us a great deal," said Susan McKee, owner of Old City Flowers. "I mean, the people need to come in and walk around and be safe on a street and not feel like they're going to fall."
Back in October, 2011, a sewer main dating back to the 1850s broke, triggering repair- and replacement work that tore up the street from Market to Chestnut for 14 months.
What started as a Water department project ultimately included several other utilities, making a mess of a block where businesses were already struggling to survive.
"The woman across the street- she left. The guy down the street- he left," said McKee, describing for FOX 29s Bruce Gordon the business owners who called it quits during the disruption.
"To stay, you have to have some staying power."
Like others who have stuck it out, McKee is optimistic about the future.
"The possibilities and the curb appeal and the street lights that are going to go in, hopefully will pay off. But we have lost a significant part of our business."
Traffic was flowing by late Tuesday afternoon. There will likely be brief interruptions on Wednesday, for striping work at either end of the block.
But for all intents and purposes, this never ending project is finally complete.
Friday, May 17 2013 6:01 PM EDT2013-05-17 22:01:38 GMT
Police are investigating a bizarre confrontation at a local elementary school. The alleged combatants were a grown woman and an 11-year-old girl. Some of the details are still a little twisted, reports
Police are investigating a bizarre confrontation at a local elementary school. The alleged combatants were a grown woman and an 11-year-old girl.
Monday, May 13 2013 6:49 PM EDT2013-05-13 22:49:41 GMT
You could use fancy mowers, trimmers and clippers to rid your property of tall grass, weeds and invasive plants. Or you could bring in a team of living, breathing "specialists."
You could use fancy mowers, trimmers and clippers to rid your property of tall grass, weeds and invasive plants. Or you could bring in a team of living, breathing "specialists."
Thursday, May 9 2013 7:11 PM EDT2013-05-09 23:11:50 GMT
If the kids in Kate Gerhart's second-grade class at Friend's School Haverford in Delaware county look particularly happy, that's because this is payday. Students are rewarded for a week's worth of classroom
If the kids in Kate Gerhart's second-grade class at Friend's School Haverford in Delaware county look particularly happy, that's because this is payday. Students are rewarded for a week's worth of classroom
Sunday, May 19 2013 7:32 PM EDT2013-05-19 23:32:42 GMT
It was a gloomy Sunday as the whole area remain socked in with low clouds & fog, drizzle and scattered showers.
The weather remains unsettled through most of the work week. The difference is that it will really warm up -- temperatures soar into the 80s by Tuesday. That mild and humid air mass will fuel afternoon thunderstorms.
By Thursday a cold front moves by bringing more rain. It will also bring drier and cooler weather by Friday as we finally clear out.
Sunday, May 19 2013 5:27 PM EDT2013-05-19 21:27:52 GMT
Pounding winds and violent surf from Hurricane Sandy left their mark on Ocean City, NJ. Beaches were washed out and there's concern about debris washing up. But Mayor Jay Gillian says no need to worry.
Mayor of Ocean City says no need to worry about debris filled beaches after Hurricane Sandy. He says plans have been taking place to make sure they're safe and clean.
Sunday, May 19 2013 5:25 PM EDT2013-05-19 21:25:28 GMT
The Pennsylvania State Police are searching for 21-year-old Matthew Royer, who went missing after leaving his apartment at the University of Rhode Island. Police says Royer left his college apartment
The Pennsylvania State Police are searching for 21-year-old Matthew Royer, who went missing after leaving his apartment at the University of Rhode Island. Police says Royer left his college apartment
Sunday, May 19 2013 8:20 AM EDT2013-05-19 12:20:57 GMT
Finding a job without a college degree can be a difficult task, even if you're a war veteran. Now, they have the opportunity to turn their military training into college credits.
Finding a job without a college degree can be a difficult task, even if you're a war veteran. Now, they have the opportunity to turn their military training into college credits.
Sunday, May 19 2013 7:58 AM EDT2013-05-19 11:58:46 GMT
Once hailed as a hero after surviving a shotgun blast to his face in 2007, a former police officer is now charged with raping and sexually assaulting two women at gunpoint he met at a party.
Once hailed as a hero after surviving a shotgun blast to his face in 2007, a former police officer is now charged with raping and sexually assaulting two women at gunpoint he met at a party.
Sunday, May 19 2013 1:45 AM EDT2013-05-19 05:45:51 GMT
A Powerball jackpot-winning ticket worth an estimated $590.5 million was sold in Florida, but there were also million-dollar winners sold in Pennsylvania and New Jersey, according to the lottery.
A Powerball jackpot-winning ticket worth an estimated $590.5 million was sold in Florida, but there were also million-dollar winners sold in Pennsylvania and New Jersey, according to the lottery's website.
Friday, May 17 2013 11:44 PM EDT2013-05-18 03:44:01 GMT
A couple of Good Samaritans helped rescue a 3-year-old boy's lifeless body from an Allentown creek. Their quick thinking and help from police helped bring the boy back to life.
A couple of Good Samaritans helped rescue a 3-year-old boy's lifeless body from an Allentown creek. Their quick thinking and help from police helped bring the boy back to life.
A 'For Rent' sign is seen in the area of south 3rd Street in Philadelphia's Old City section.
