Residents and local businesses in Vancouver’s Broadway Corridor are bracing for a significant four-month road closure in the Mount Pleasant area, a key part of the Broadway Subway Project. This construction initiative is poised to create substantial challenges for both commuters and shop owners, many of whom are still recovering from the fallout of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Local Businesses Struggle Amid Construction Chaos
Ron MacGillivray, owner of Fable Diner, expressed his concerns about the financial strain the closure is imposing on his business. “I sold my house three years ago. All the money is kind of going into this business to keep it going, and I don’t know how much longer we can survive,” he shared. MacGillivray noted that his revenue has plummeted by 45 per cent, making this road closure an additional hurdle for his establishment and others in the vicinity.
“We’re dealing with this for the next five months and then another year or two of construction after that,” he lamented. MacGillivray fears that his revenue could decline even further, potentially reaching a 50 to 60 per cent drop during this challenging period. The lack of adequate support from the British Columbia government has left many local business owners feeling abandoned.
Ongoing Construction Woes
Neil Wyles, a representative of the Mount Pleasant Business Improvement Association (BIA), highlighted the toll that prolonged construction has taken on the area. “We’re going on six years now of major construction through the heart of the city,” he stated, underscoring the frustration felt by many on the strip. The current closure, affecting the stretch between Main Street and Quebec Street, will reroute vehicles to 8th Avenue and restrict parking, compounding the difficulties for businesses reliant on foot traffic.
Public transit users will also experience disruptions, with buses on routes 99 and 9 needing to take detours around the affected block. Anita Bathe, a spokesperson for TransLink, confirmed this shift, stating that buses will navigate around the construction zone before rejoining their regular routes.
Meeting to Address Concerns
In response to the mounting frustrations, B.C. Transportation Minister Mark Farnworth is scheduled to meet with the Mount Pleasant BIA on Tuesday. This meeting aims to address the concerns of business owners who feel the impact of ongoing construction has been overlooked. The Broadway Subway Project is expected to reach completion by autumn 2027, but the interim struggles are weighing heavily on the community.
Why it Matters
The challenges faced by businesses in the Broadway Corridor highlight a broader issue of urban development and its impact on local economies. As Vancouver endeavours to enhance its public transit infrastructure, the sacrifices made by small businesses are becoming increasingly apparent. Without timely and effective support, the long-term viability of these establishments remains uncertain, raising questions about the balance between urban progress and the livelihoods of those who call these neighbourhoods home.
