If you hadn’t noticed, there is quite a bit of construction on H Street Northeast happening these days, as streetcar work and new development are radically redefining the streetscape along one of D.C.’s most up and coming commercial and residential corridors. But the mess is having a negative effect on business owners, most of whom now have storefronts obstructed by concrete barriers and little to no street parking for their customers.

The situation is aggravating enough that two weeks ago, the H Street NE Business Task Force asked Councilmember Tommy Wells (D-Ward 6) to see what he could do; Wells, in turn, penned a letter to DDOT to ask for some special signage. DDOT responded — and now when you walk, bike or drive down H Street, a big orange sign that reads “H Street Businesses Are All Open For Business During Construction” greets you. Wells staff is working on personalizing the signs to include the H Street Corridor logo.

Wells’ chief-of-staff Charles Allen tells DCist that the Councilmember’s office “hope[s] to have them located at either end of blocks under construction.”

While the signs are hardly a replacement for parking or easy access, its heartening to see the city responding so quickly to a less-than-optimal situation for local businesspeople.