The city of Vancouver has planned to tear up southern Main Street for 30 years. But the reality of that immense construction project is now pushing some businesses there to the brink.

Crews broke ground last winter on what the city calls Main Street Promise, because the project has been promised for so long. It’s a 10-block makeover that will not only create new sidewalks and hardscaping along the street but also replace utilities under the road, some of which are more than 100 years old.

The project started out strong, with lots of communication with business owners and community members. The city made a concerted effort to involve the businesses, landowners and residents along Main in discussions about construction as it unfolds, even hiring a business liaison specifically for the proj

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