I didn't hear from the lender for two weeks.
In that time, the city scheduled a public hearing about the project, the Heritage Trust began its review, and the bookstore's roof developed a leak over the travel section. I moved three shelves, put a bucket beneath the drip, and kept selling books.
The lender eventually offered me a smaller loan than I requested. It would cover the urgent roof work and buy me time, but not enough to refinance the mortgage on its own. They wanted a larger down payment and proof of stable income.
I had the proof. I didn't have the down payment.
The offer on my building remained open.
At the city hearing, I sat between Nora and Ellis and listened while Mercer Development described the project as a chance to bring new investment to the waterfront. People aske
