That's because the extension allows for a one-year stoppage of all work from March 2004 to March 2005 to give merchants a chance to "breathe" and win back customers who have fled the construction scene.

"I welcome you back to your store and back to your customers," Mayor Sandy Decker said to nearly two dozen people at last week's meeting, some of whom applauded as the meeting ended.

Architect's Interior owner Kurt Useldinger volunteered to spearhead a committee of merchants to plan for the intensified construction that they expect to have follow the year of inactivity.

Also, council members Diane McNutt and Mike Wasserman were named to serve as liaisons on an ad hoc committee to work with merchants.

Adrienne Kerwin of Adrienne's clothing store submitted petitions with more than 100 signatures from merchants, residents and customers who she said support the idea of halting construction work for one year.

"I feel like we're in a war and we're asking for ammunition to fight one more day," Useldinger said about his struggle to make sure his business survives. He likened the town's plans to resume work after the holiday shopping season to "a bullet to the head."

Work has ended this year but will resume in January when the West Valley Sanitation District relines two sewer lines underneath Santa Cruz Avenue. The work, which will take up to mid-March, will cause minimal disruption, said Parks and Public Works Director John Curtis.

Once that work is complete, merchants can run their businesses without interruption for one year before construction resumes on Main Street in spring 2005, followed by a resurfacing of Santa Cruz Avenue that summer. Another 10 months will elapse before the town resurfaces Main Street in 2006—the final phase of a four-year project.

Earlier this month, merchants had asked the town to consider accelerating streetwork after one year off by having town staff work 16-hour days in 2005. Curtis said at the time he would consider the proposal, but did not recommend this to the council last week. Extending the workday would not only impact merchants and residents, but would also add to the project's expenses, he said.

The streetscape project is funded by a redevelopment agency bond, which requires at least 85 percent of the funding to be used up by 2005, according to town staff. Since 95.5 percent of the funds will be used by then, it is OK for the town to extend the project until 2006.

Councilman Joe Pirzynski said during a September meeting that the town knew that upgrading streets and sidewalks would not necessarily be a pleasant experience.

"Remodeling is like going to hell, but when it's all over you've got this jewel in town," he said.