Calgary Committee Endorses Business-Friendly Construction Policy, Shifts from Financial Aid
A new "business-friendly" construction policy for the City of Calgary has cleared its first major hurdle, receiving near-unanimous support from a council committee. The policy aims to better mitigate the disruptions and revenue losses that storefronts experience during city-led construction projects, but it notably moves away from providing direct financial compensation to impacted businesses.
Committee Vote and Opposition
Members of the infrastructure and planning committee voted 10-1 in favor of the proposed policy, with Ward 14 Coun. Landon Johnston casting the sole vote in opposition. The policy is designed to address long-standing frustrations among business operators who have faced economic hardship due to lengthy construction initiatives in various neighborhoods across Calgary.
Pilot Programs and Strategies
Graham Gerylo, manager of community business relations, explained that the city has been piloting different business-friendly approaches to municipal construction projects since 2022. The new policy intends to incorporate strategies that have proven effective in reducing impacts on businesses and their customers.
"We recognize that construction can impact businesses and their customers," Gerylo told the committee. "Those impacts can be reduced, but they can’t be eliminated entirely."
Some of the pilot initiatives have included:
- Temporary parking solutions to maintain access for customers.
- Pedestrian wayfinding and flaggers for both pedestrians and vehicular traffic.
- Liaisons to improve communication between the city and businesses.
- Marketing campaigns encouraging continued shopping in local business districts.
- Construction impact assessments and business continuity plans.
"Together, these approaches support business vitality by keeping businesses operational and helping customers reach the front door while essential construction is ongoing," Gerylo emphasized.
Background of Business Frustrations
Business frustrations resulting from city-led construction projects have been a recurring theme in Calgary in recent years. For instance, years of recurring road and utility replacement work in Marda Loop spurred businesses along 33rd Avenue S.W. to launch a $75-million class action lawsuit against the city. The plaintiffs claim the city was negligent in carrying out the Marda Loop Main Streets project, which caused retailers significant economic hardship.
Similar issues have arisen in other areas, including Bridgeland, the Beltline, and Stephen Avenue, where business operators expressed frustrations during road repair work that led to a notable drop in visitors and revenue. Storefronts in Bowness and Montgomery have also experienced construction-related pains amid previous breaks and repairs related to the Bearspaw South feeder main.
Policy Implications and Future Steps
The endorsement of this policy marks a shift in the city's approach, focusing on operational support rather than direct financial aid. By implementing these business-friendly measures, the city aims to balance the needs of essential infrastructure projects with the economic well-being of local businesses. The policy will now proceed to the full council for further consideration and potential implementation, with ongoing evaluations to ensure its effectiveness in real-world scenarios.
