Construction has mixed effects on businesses
Some downtown business owners are feeling the effects of the construction on St. Paul Street.
Many say they’ve seen a decrease in business, as customers avoid the downtown area.
The owner of Dani’s Bistro, Pete Tindall, says he’s seen as much as a 50 per cent reduction in sales, a large portion of that being the result of fewer people walking by.
“People are avoiding the area,” says Tindall.
As you stand in the restaurant, it’s not surprising to see why. A server from the restaurant heads to close the windows because the volume from the construction outside is so obtrusive.
“It’s been three years,” says Tindall, barely audible.
According to the City of St. Catharines, the Downtown Streetscaping project for St. Paul and Carlisle streets will be a complete road reconstruction including new sidewalks, curbs, road structure, on-street parking, road drainage, new street lighting, new street furniture and landscaping.
The development is being done by Rankin Construction.
Tindall says it’s already slower in the summer, but with this construction it’s really putting a hurt on all of the businesses, especially retail.
“Last year I knew three restaurants that went down over the summer due to the construction.” “The dust, the dirt.” He says over the last three years of construction he’s seen other businesses close as a result of the construction.
Martin Wojnowski, co-owner of Burrito Boys, says he thinks the overall benefits outweigh the costs.
“Obviously it’s hurting us, but I believe once everything is done it’s going to attract a lot more people to this area, with the arts centre here and the Meridian centre. This is going to be the spot that everybody will want to come to.”
He says for Burrito Boys, the drop in business hasn’t been as drastic as other businesses, having healthy support from regulars and local workers.
Wojnowski says he does think the construction could have prevented having such a heavy impact on peak-season business by starting earlier, with this year’s winter having been so mild.
Daryl Paulin, co-owner of Krav, which opened in May, says one of the biggest problems with the construction is the dirt and dust that’s being kicked up.
He says it forces the restaurant to keep their windows closed, which is less inviting.
“When we do open the windows at night, walk by traffic is coming in. So we’re missing all that during the day.”
Paulin says another problem is people purposely spinning out in the construction area with their vehicles, tossing stones at the windows.
“Has it affected business? Absolutely. If I put a number on it I’d probably say there’s a 15 per cent difference in business. People are walking the other way instead of seeing that we’re open.”
He says for Krav, it isn’t affecting them as much because their target audience is coming from the Performing Arts Centre.
“They already have tickets to the show, so they’re already going to be down here.”
The general consensus of most business owners seems to be the benefits of the area being fixed up will outweigh the losses created by the construction.
Many say that local business is still keeping them afloat.
Tisha Polocko, executive director of the Downtown Association, says the positive is once the construction is completed the downtown will be more aesthetically pleasing. The extended sidewalks will also make it possible businesses along the north side of St. Paul Street to have outdoor patios.
“It will be a more pedestrian friendly environment.”
This construction was long coming and a lot of prior consultation did take place before the work began.
She says the Downtown Association has emphasized the need to communicate with the businesses and says the city has been very good about that.
“The timing was very well thought out for construction to take place, as it is a bit quieter downtown in the summer months, the Performing Arts Centre season is over and Brock University is done until September.”
She says to date the Downtown Association has not had any complaints and as far as she knows, neither has the city or Rankin Construction.
“I am sure it will inevitably be a slower time for the businesses, but we are constantly reminding everyone that the businesses are open.”
“The goal is for the construction to stay on track and be able to finish on time or even before.”
Business owners at Krav, Small Batch Co., and Dani’s Bistro say nobody has come in to update them on the progress of the construction.
Paulin says the only person who has been through was an insurance agent, taking note of the condition of the building prior to construction beginning.
Rob Ricci, a construction worker working on the downtown developments, said the project is scheduled to be finished before the Wine Festival.
He says construction is coming along well and it’s possible that it will be done even quicker than that, weather permitting.