Columbia Street was being used as a storage space for large pipes during an extended sewer replacement project which took longer to complete than originally anticipated
Local businesses on New Westminster’s Columbia Street can’t seem to catch a break. First it was crime, then a Metro Vancouver sewer replacement project turned their street into a storage yard for large pipes [see image above], and now an extension to the street closure due to the Pattullo Bridge replacement project “is adding insult to injury” for local businesses.
“Columbia Street remains an iconic symbol of our city, but in the past few years our business community there has struggled to keep stores, restaurants and other businesses open because too many people think that when they see signs of construction or traffic closures that businesses are closed as well, which just isn’t true,” said Councillor Daniel Fontaine.
Fontaine said the surprise closure extension related to work on the Pattullo Bridge replacement project is the latest burden for the historic street and its small business community.
“When the Canada Line was being built, there were significant advertising and promotional funds available from the project to help local businesses tell customers they were still open, even during construction,” said Fontaine. “The same goes for other major projects such as the Broadway Line being constructed in Vancouver. With the news that Columbia Street will continue to be closed May, we need the bridge project and the provincial government to step up and help local businesses by reminding customers that they are still in business. The Pattullo Bridge replacement is an important project for our city, but it should include helping small businesses connect with customers, particularly when you have a closure being extended.”
Fontaine said having the bridge project sponsor radio traffic reports with a plug for Columbia Street would be just one way to help.
“Small businesses are struggling, so when you have something like this road closure scaring off customers, it’s important for the projects involved to do the right thing and help out,” added Fontaine. “When you look at everything the businesses on Columbia have been forced to endure over the past few years, you have to give them credit for being resilient, but a little help now and then will go a long way to making sure they are there and viable when the new bridge is finally up and running.”
