Some Gastown businesses say roadwork is costing them millions

Some business owners in one of Vancouver's oldest neighbourhoods say an ongoingconstruction project has been financially devastating, costing them millions of dollars in lost revenue.

The City of Vancouver began work torepair loose bricks and asphalt patches in Gastown's Maple Tree Square early this March. As part of its2023-2026 Capital Plan, the city has earmarked $10 million to improve the neighbourhood.

But Kim Briscoe, owner ofKimprints, an art store in Gastown, says her business has dropped by about 25 per cent since the construction began.

"The work is necessary, we need the roads to be fixed, but it has been a long process and there's no car access anymore," she told CBC News.

Many other businesses in the neighbourhood are also struggling due to the ongoing project, according to the Gastown Business Improvement Society (GBIS).

The association, which represents more than 600 businesses, estimates its members havecollectively lost about $5 million in revenue over the past two months.

"Businesses are down anywhere between 20 to 50 per cent," said GBIS executive director Walley Wargolet.

"Some have even had to lay off their folks," he added.

Briscoe says a loss in revenue has meant a decrease in the number of hours for her staff.

"We haven't laid anyone off but we have reduced hours ... because people think Gastown is closed."

In a statement to CBC News, the city said it has added about 33 "Businesses are Open"signs throughout the neighbourhood to mitigate the impacts of the construction work, which is slated to end mid-June.

The city saidit has also activated electronic messaging boards to help direct the public to available parking.

But more could be done to offset the costs to businesses, said Brent Toderian, the city's former chief planner.

"The best way to mitigate the temporary impact is for both the city and the businesses to be smart and creative about not just making sure you know the stores are still open, that's easy, but how do you still make it a magnet?"he said.

Toderian said instead of simply fencing off construction sites with signs, the city should think "outside of the box" to inform the public.

"Maybe a time lapse [of the construction work] or a video showing the transformation so people can stop ... and [see how the space] will be in the future," he said.

Wargoletsaidthe business association has come up with several of its own ideas to get creative.

"We had to take matters into our own hands," he said. "Weput some additional marketing signs that were cheeky thatwe hoped wouldgo viral, but the city wouldn't even let us have those up."

The society also started a free parking initiative in Marchtooffervisitors three hours offree parkingonce a week.

Summer pedestrian-only zones

ThroughoutJuly and August, parts of the neighbourhood will be turned into pedestrian-only zones.

WATCH | Car-free zones approved in Vancouver's Gastown this summer

Car-free zones approved in Vancouvers Gastown this summer

7 months ago

Duration 2:10

The City of Vancouver has approved a pilot project that will see parts of the Gastown neighbourhood as pedestrian-only zones this summer, in anticipation of the busy tourist season. As Michelle Gomez reports, many businesses say theyre excited to see the change.

According to the city, the traffic-free zones willadd a vital lifeline for struggling restaurants and bars whichwill be able to expand patios onto sidewalks and increasedining options.

However, business owners like Briscoe say they are not convinced.

"We are totally against it. I just don't see how this benefits our community," she said.

To get more local businesses on board with the pilot project, the citysaidit has now waivedfees for restaurants and stores to create new and expanded patios and merchandise displays andhas also contributed $20,000 forthe GBIS parking initiative.