Broadway Shops Anxious Over Subway Construction Closure, BIA Chief Reports
The ongoing construction of the Broadway Subway Project in Vancouver is causing significant concern among local businesses. A one-block closure on Broadway, extending from Main to Quebec streets, will restrict vehicle traffic for four months. This closure, which starts Monday, is crucial for the redevelopment of the roadway above the new Mount Pleasant Station.
Impact on Local Businesses
Shops in the area will remain accessible on foot. However, the head of the local Business Improvement Association (BIA) has expressed worries about the declining sales they have already been facing. Local business owners, already frustrated by the prolonged construction timeline, fear that this closure might further exacerbate their financial challenges.
Leonard Schein, a Vancouver resident and former owner of the Park Theatre, recalls the negative effects of the Canada Line construction nearly 20 years ago. He noted that the Canada Line project led to the closure of approximately 39 small businesses along Cambie Street due to financial strain. He stated, “It’s important to have good public transportation, but it shouldn’t come at the expense of small businesses.”
Historical Context
The Canada Line construction occurred from 2005 to 2008 and resulted in significant disruptions. Despite being awarded compensation in a past class-action lawsuit, many Cambie Street businesses did not receive the financial support they anticipated due to a successful appeal by TransLink.
Current Concerns Among Business Owners
Neil Wyles, the executive director of the Mount Pleasant BIA, articulated the anxiety permeating the community. He remarked that the block closure could lead to logistics issues, including concerns about deliveries and garbage collection. He stressed the urgency for immediate support, highlighting that many business owners have sought interest-free loans to navigate this difficult period.
Minister of Transportation and Transit Mike Farnworth has conveyed that government compensation for disrupted businesses is not common practice in infrastructure projects in British Columbia. Wyles challenged this stance, expressing a desire for government leadership in addressing these challenges.
Project Overview
The $2.83 billion Broadway Subway Project aims to extend the SkyTrain’s Millennium Line by 5.7 kilometers, adding six new underground stations. Unfortunately, the project’s completion has been delayed from its original schedule to at least the fall of 2027.
Future Implications
Urban planning experts, like Andy Yan from Simon Fraser University, warn that prolonged shutdowns could threaten the survival of small businesses. As communities face economic struggles intensified by the COVID-19 pandemic, balancing development with the needs of local shops becomes increasingly critical.
- Closure Duration: 4 months
- Budget: $2.83 billion
- Length of New Line: 5.7 kilometers
- Underground Stations: 6 new stations
- Original Completion Date: Last year; now delayed to fall 2027
As the Broadway Subway construction moves forward, the voices of local business owners and community leaders remain vital in ensuring that their concerns are heard and addressed adequately.
