As some drivers go out of their way to avoid any areas undergoing construction related to the Ion light rail transit system, authorities hope others will do the exact opposite.
“We’d really like to have everyone show their support for these businesses during (construction),” Ion community relations manager Kimberly Moser tells CTV News.
Ion-related construction has already begun in one area with a heavy retail presence – along Caroline Street in uptown Waterloo.
Next spring, King Street will be closed in the uptown, as well as downtown Kitchener, providing the truest test of retailers’ ability to hold up through construction.
Kate Sauer owns Sabletine Fine Pastries, on King Street in Waterloo.
She receives the same email updates as other members of the public, but says she was disappointed in a lack of communication when work began – and says if she stayed quiet about her concerns then, she wouldn’t even be seeing the emails.
“The only reason I’m on the list is because … I was actively asking about it,” she says.
While Sauer’s business is more of a destination attraction than a store reliant on foot traffic, she says she’s “absolutely” concerned about construction reducing parking – potentially dissuading some regular customers from venturing uptown.
“That will have a severe impact on us,” she says.
“It would be great if the region would do more, but we’re just not hearing a lot at this point.”
Moser says communication with affected businesses is an ongoing process, and attempts are being made to close roads in small segments to minimize the impact on businesses.
“There’s a unique solution for every business,” she says.
Even Waterloo’s new mayor has called for action to help uptown retailers through the current construction – although his call didn’t go to the region.
At Monday night’s inaugural council meeting, Dave Jaworsky used part of his address to suggest city residents “make a special point” of supporting affected businesses.
“I plan to do whatever I can … to ensure that we have people knowing that it’s easy to come here and park … and support our uptown businesses,” he told CTV News on Tuesday.
