Let's put it this way: it's a wee bit difficult to get to South Perry these days - but all the businesses up here are open, though many of the main access routes are closed.

You can't go north from the intersection of South Perry and South East Boulevard - Perry is one lane southbound only from around the windmill (12th Avenue) and up the hill.

At the other end of the business district, 9th Avenue is closed (torn up) in front of Grant School and the Park (west of Perry) and by the Hi-Co Station toward Altamont Boulevard (east of Perry).

Drivers can come up the usual ways from downtown, from Sherman and the freeway overpass, and hit the north-end of the business district. Southbound drivers are then detoured around the park and over to Southeast Boulevard. Coming down from 29th Avenue is a little more tricky as you can't go north on Perry - you'll be detoured over on Southeast Boulevard, be patient, follow the signs, don't try to cut across until you hit 11th or 12th Avenues - 12th Avenue will deposit you right in the middle of the business district, north of the main construction zone.

Confused? Hopefully not - and please feel free to share your favorite short cuts. Construction is due to water main line repairs - and yes, some new pavement will be a pleasant side effect of all the digging.