Small Edmonton businesses feel economic pressure as construction obstructs access
Global News
Major ongoing construction along Gateway Boulevard has several small businesses south of Whyte Avenue suffering from lack of customer access.
Construction along Gateway Boulevard and Whyte Avenue has been going on for months and has many business owners in the area seeing a drastic decrease in business.
Construction equipment and ripped-up roads and sidewalks, all the way to the doors of businesses south of Whyte Avenue, are making it difficult for pedestrians to not only walk along the road, but access businesses.
Churchill’s British Imports has been selling English treats to Edmontonians for 26 years and just opened a new location on Gateway Boulevard last summer. The store’s owner, Tony Badger, says this is one of the store’s busiest times, especially during Fringe Festival, which is taking place nearby, but the construction is causing a problem this year.
“The last week, access has pretty well been eliminated,” he said. “Vehicle traffic cannot access us off Gateway on 91st (Street) — that’s been for several weeks. The alley to get to the parking behind has been blocked and also pedestrian traffic is down to zero because it is completely blocked at the corner of Gateway and Whyte Avenue.”
The work is part of the Gateway Boulevard Rehabilitation and Reconstruction Project, which started last year. Crews began work on the stretch in front of the store and eight other businesses in June.
Badger says it’s resulted in a 70-per cent drop in business over the last two months.
“The city came to us and said, in writing, they would be maintaining local access at all times. They haven’t done that at all,” he said.
The city also hasn’t put up a sign listing the businesses that are open during the project like it said it would, Badger said.