Construction on 17 Ave. S.W. halts for the holidays
Streets, businesses, parking lots open as usual, until work resumes in new year
After a “long and difficult” construction season, 17th Avenue S.W. has fully reopened for the Christmas season with an emphasis this week on spreading some holiday cheer.
After taking a break over the summer to give businesses a chance to regain lost sales, ongoing construction resumed in September. As of Saturday, the streets, businesses and parking lots are open as usual until construction starts again sometime in the new year.
“The construction break during the summer definitely helped businesses sort of recoup from the money lost from the roads being closed,” said Esther Kelly, executive director of the 17th Avenue Retail and Entertainment District BIA.
“Small businesses rely on foot traffic, they rely on road traffic and stuff like that.
“But when construction happens it’s understood by our members that it does have to happen and they understand these are things that have to be fixed. But it’s still very difficult in our economic climate right now.”
The latest phase of work saw road closures at the intersection of 8th Street and 17th Avenue S.W., as well as 17th Avenue between 8th Street and 9th Street S.W.
The work is part of a $44-million construction project to rebuild the road, upgrade facilities and improve pedestrian access on 17th Avenue between Macleod Trail and 14th Street S.W.
This week, Kelly said businesses are focusing on holiday shopping and Black Friday sales. The avenue itself will be shining with holiday lights strung up along the district.
And starting on Monday, 17th Avenue visitors will also get the chance to win free parking.
“We partnered with the Calgary Parking Authority to give $50 vouchers and (there will be multiple) opportunities to win that money,” Kelly said.
There will also be opportunities to meet Santa Claus and partake in carolling along the avenue.
“It’s an experience that they probably have missed given construction.
“So I think (visitors) will be pleasantly surprised when they come down to the avenue,” said Kelly.
She also emphasized the importance of shopping local as the holiday season gears up, with the avenue celebrating Shop Local YYC Day on Nov. 24.
“A lot of 17th Avenue business owners have their mortgages tied into their businesses and it’s really important to support that,” said Kelly.
“Small business is lifeblood of all economies, and they keep things going and keep things vibrant and add an interesting flair to a lot of the different avenues and neighbourhoods that we have in this city.
“Shopping local and going to neighbourhoods and business districts close to you is helpful. It keeps everything going.”
In 2017, the city said it expected the 17th Avenue S.W. facelift will take three to four years to complete.
Shopping local andgoingto neighbourhoods and business districts close to you is helpful. It keeps everything going.