Several Downtown businesses, including the restaurant PlayWright owned by Steve Brochu, have closed down this summer and some are blaming the ongoing construction. Ward O-day'min Coun. Anne Stevenson has put forward a motion calling for a business-friendly construction policy to accelerate construction where possible and minimize the impact to businesses. Photo by David Bloom /Postmedia

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Ward O-day’min Coun. Anne Stevenson is looking to establish a more holistic strategy towards Downtown renewal, which business advocates say is long overdue.

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On July 8, council voted 12-0, with Ward tastawiyiniwak Coun. Karen Principe absent, directing  administration  “with input from local businesses and representative organizations, provide a report to explore a business-friendly construction policy that formalizes a consistent approach to minimize the impacts of city infrastructure projects on local businesses by: 1. Formalizing proactive mitigation strategies, clear communication, and safe, accessible site management into project planning and phasing and; 2. Communicating formal initiatives to support business vitality and customer confidence during construction.”

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The report is due back in 2027, with the intent to have the policy in place for next year’s construction season.

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“Over the past number of years we’ve made adjustments to our construction process to minimize impact,” said Stevenson. “For example the mayor had passed a motion around accelerated LRT construction that focused on more intensive but shorter duration closures. We saw a lot of good success on that, but it’s not a standardized process right now.

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“How can we minimize the length of time businesses are impacted?”

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One potential solution she highlighted is closing a single block and renewing the sidewalks, curbs and road all at once. She noted council would need to look at potential cost impacts to accelerated construction but said a smaller increase, such as a 10 per cent greater cost to get a project done faster, could have a net gain in the long-run.

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Council has been trying to balance the opposing needs of Downtown businesses and the need to upgrade infrastructure to ensure long-term sustainability. Stevenson said it is important to get a policy in place because there’s more renewal for Downtown due for the coming decades, including renewal of Jasper Avenue from 102 Street to 109 Street.

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Noting he would have liked to have seen the motion sooner, Edmonton Chamber of Commerce president Doug Griffiths welcomed the motion and said he hopes to see better communication of upcoming construction projects to businesses.

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“I talked to a business owner who said one day they had ripped up the sidewalk, then said, ‘By the way, we’re ripping up your sidewalk’ after it was gone,” he said. “We need better notification so people are aware of what challenges are coming so they can make adjustments to support their business.”

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He urged council to shift its focus to beautification and cleanliness as major construction projects like the LRT wrap up, noting people need to want to be Downtown if the city wants people to actually be there.

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Downtown Revitalization Coalition chairwoman Cheryll Watson said council’s priorities should focus on access.

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“Maintaining access must become the city’s top priority,” she said. “Right now, nearly every route into Downtown is impacted by construction. Customers shouldn’t have to navigate a maze of road closures to support local businesses. The city should maintain access at all times, accelerate work at major intersections, better co-ordinate project sequencing and hold contractors accountable for minimizing unnecessary disruption.”