What happened: Gastown businesses and their advocates are speaking out about lost revenues (between 20% – 50% according to the Gastown BIA), which they say are due to roadwork in the neighbourhood.
The roadwork is expected to last just over three months, wrapping up in mid-June.
A BIA spokesperson said they’re estimating businesses are collectively losing about half a million dollars a week, according to Global.
The City of Vancouver said they’ve added “businesses are open” signage to mitigate the impact of construction.
Car-free initiative: The roadwork and construction in Maple Tree Square are part of the city’s preparations to create a car-free pilot project on Water Street in July and August.
Earlier this month, city council voted to waive patio fees for businesses in the pilot area, and contribute $20,000 towards the Gastown BIA’s free parking initiative.
The pilot includes car-free areas in Maple Tree Square and on Water St. between Richards and Cambie. The two areas will be connected by a set of “car-light” blocks along Water St.
Previously, city staff had said at least 27 restaurants and 16 retailers in the pilot area had expressed interest in creating new or expanded patios and merchandise displays, according to Daily Hive Urbanized.
Businesses will be eyeing their bottom lines over the course of the pilot, Gastown BIA executive director Walley Wargolet told CBC.
“If [we don’t have bottom lines increasing in the neighbourhood], then the project will be failed and we will ask the city to shut it down,” Wargolet said.
Yes, but: While the profitability of local businesses is a key part of a successful, safe, and thriving neighbourhood, it is only one measure by which to measure the successfulness of road-use changes.
As for the neighbourhood residents, the city reported many were excited about an enhanced pedestrian zone.
In the city’s public consultation on the project, people identified vehicle congestion, lack of active transportation networks, and conditions of streets and sidewalks, as the main barriers from using their preferred method of transit in Gastown.
As is typical with public consultations, concerns ran the gamut; from increased noise, growing homelessness, and drug use, to patios encroaching too much on public space and apprehensions about investments in the area displacing low-income residents.
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