City
Construction killing businesses on Queen East
Anyone who has travelled down Queen Street East between Connaught and Coxwell over the past few months likely noticed the blue fencing, puddles, piping, and general mess from the ongoing construction as the City replaces water mains.
A number of businesses almost look closed - when I was down there a few days ago, my only indication they were open were a few bright signs proclaiming just that. "YES!" they shouted, "WE'RE OPEN FOR BUSINESS DURING CONSTRUCTION".
The construction began in mid July - it's now December, and the area is still a mess. With Christmas right around the corner there's no doubt local businesses are taking a hit.
Shirley Rumundi is the owner of Beaufort Decor, and she her business has been greatly affected by the ongoing work. In fact, she's been unable to open her shop due to construction on eight days - receiving no advance notice. She says the situation is very aggravating.
"I've worked hard, and my customers have been loyal, so I've managed to hold my head above the water line, but I'm definitely not ahead. There's been no growth."
Rumundi says she contacted City Engineers, and while they've been as helpful as they can be, things are not progressing any faster. She says the local businesses were very vocal about not having major construction during the Christmas season - yet here we are.
"As an outsider looking in, it looks to me like this is drag, drag, drag your feet, then panic. It's three weeks from Christmas, and there's still a big, ugly blue fence, water pooling where people walk... no one ever knows what's going on."
Manager of Core BMX and Bikes Chijioke Okafo says the construction was supposed to wrap up two weeks ago, and to date his store has not received any updated information about the construction.
While Core BMX and Bikes has not been as affected as some of the other stores in the area, they are still experiencing issues, including a power cut off at one point.
"We're getting our regulars," he says, "If you're going to come here, you still will - but now customers will complain about it on the way. I mean, it's a mess outside. It's dirty, loud, and annoying."
Both Rumundi and Okafo say they understand the work needs to be done. However, for the businesses in the area this has turned into a five-month headache.
And there might not be an end in sight yet for the area. Rumundi says she recently received notice that the City will start digging December 20th, and that Hydro will be working on light fixtures. According to the notice, work will continue through May.
Writing and photos by Lauren Souch
Discussion
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We don't care! We have our policies/procedures, period. Businesses, retailers, motorists and everyone else can go to hell.
See: St. Clair streetcar
See: Bloor street 'beautification.'
See: every single street downtown blocked with at least one
condo being built on one side or the other.
Have a nice day!
THEN when the city tried to fix it, we complain about the construction.
http://pierorocca.com/Pics/IMG_0601.JPG
The city needs to be managed by professional Project Managers, who actually coordinate projects like this sewer replacement property. Likewise, if contractors run over time, they must be penalized... like in the real world.
I agree too with @zik's comment - infrastructure does need updating and unfortunately sometimes things are beyond a contractor's control (these are private contractors to the City, b.t.w.) Apparently that was the case on Bloor with various pipes and lines being discovered underground that needed to be moved before work could progress.
Have you ever reno-ed your house? Ever put money down on a condo not yet built? As long as there is construction, there will always be delays. Private, public job, doesn't matter. THERE WILL ALWAYS BE DELAYS.
Could the city do a better job of managing expectations? Of course. But anyone who actually expects a construction crew to finish a six-month job on the exact date scheduled is not living in a world I would consider real.
Thumbs up to Core Bikes though, they are a great shop. (Which is probably why they're still doing business as usual.)
Also, I can hardly believe the smarmy comments here. Why post if you have nothing to say that doesn't go beyond East/West envy or not caring? I live in Kitchener, and find this an interesting thing about businesses on streets that are under construction. Our downtown was wrapped in gates for a whole summer with the biggest slow down when they discovered almost tragically with large equipment that the foundation of one of the old buildings was closer to the road than they thought. They almost accidentally pulled down the old fronts of a whole row of the rare older buildings in downtown. This and other things delayed the construction, business tapered to almost death, so we started, as residence and downtowners, a campaign to keep feet on the street. It worked.
Your smarmy uncaring comments are useless to a productive dialog. Businesses are the backbone of parts of a city. Maybe some of you should learn from the success of the electoral system that regionalism in a city isn't always good. Be proud of where you live, but your total lack of regard and empathy for other sections is stupid and unproductive. Congrats on Ford - the ultimate product of this not seeing the forest for the trees. *rolleyes*
Agreed, Terre.
As someone who deals with many of the stores along this strip (Jose at Village Hardware, one of the nicest guys you'll ever meet; the Tulip, a great diner; Kew Beach Vet; Velotique, Canada's best bike accessory store), these business are hurting because this sewer repair is dragging on and on. That's why it matters.
I always make a point of shopping locally, at the stores I just mentioned, and others in the area.
And for people not familiar with the area, come and visit! The Ashbridge's Bay park is a brief walk from there. Tons of great stores and restaurants, a huge movie theatre, and lots to see and do!