Times is tough on 10th Ave E.

Seems that this ominous start to 2010 with a number 49 Metro bus paralyzed by a bomb threat on New Year’s Eve was a sign of things to come. One restaurant left the area for a more bustling spot on Broadway. Another closed its doors and went out of business. The infamous Four Quarters Bandit struck 100% of the area’s coffee houses. Even the neighborhood fire house could not catch a break. And now, a month of paving.

The rather significant street project we reported this spring is about to get underway on 10th Ave E. The Seattle Department of Transportation says crews will begin a month of work on Monday to completely overhaul the stretch of road and sidewalks between E Boston and E Miller. On the menu: pavement removal and replacement, drainage improvements, curb ramp reconstruction and sidewalk repairs.

The plan is to keep the road open to two-way traffic through the project’s duration. SDOT notes that bicycle lanes will be closed during this period and cyclists will share the scrunched lanes with cars. Caution, two-wheelers.

The project is being paid for by funds from the transportation levy approved by Seattle voters in 2006.

As for our 10th Ave E pals, what can we do for them? Ideas in the comments, please.