By TIM HAECK
KIRO Radio

The South Park Bridge closure has claimed its first business.

A sign on the door at the "Hooters" restaurant on Des Moines Memorial Drive blames 'economic stresses caused by the bridge closure' in June for its locked doors.

Although Hooters is nearer to Boulevard Park, community activist Bill Pease says "with the South Park Bridge gone, there's a lot less traffic coming down the hill on Des Moines Memorial Drive, where they're located."

Pease says some South Park businesses are just hanging on, hoping for funding for a new bridge.

"If we don't get funding then there has been talk of some businesses closing their doors right away, rather than throwing good money after bad," said Pease.

The U.S. Department of Transportation will announce in October if King County will get a $35 million grant to complete the funding needed to replace the 70-year-old bridge.

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