Downtown Nanaimo merchants optimistic despite lengthy, disruptive construction project

Assistant general manager Gina Moscrip said the free parking incentive should encourage some people downtown who’d otherwise avoid doing so.

She’s convinced the ongoing project will positively benefit the entire downtown for many years to come.

“We are fortunate being on the corner here, we’ve got Bastion St. open which is nice, but so far it’s a positive outlook we’ve gotta keep. It’s going to be beautiful when it’s done, the infrastructure had to be done.”

Moscrip noted existing pay parking options, including the nearby Bastion St. Parkade, offers affordable daytime weekday parking options.

She hopes word spreads that despite portions of Commercial St. being surrounded by construction fencing, businesses are open as the all-important holiday shopping season approaches.

View of the work zone for the first phase of enhancing Commercial St. The purple-shaded areas are blocked off to vehicular traffic (City of Nanaimo)

Located in the middle of the existing closure zone between Wharf and Bastion streets, Commercial St. business operator Steven Johns is also optimistic about the future.

The owner of Red Shelf Decor admitted the first half of the project to begin modernizing Commercial St. caused people to adjust their habits.

“Now it’s just starting to become a way of life after a month and I think people are more adjusted to it coming downtown. I think the first month was sort of an adjustment period, but things are sort of smoothing back out,” Johns told NanaimoNewsNOW.

Johns, who lobbied for free parking on behalf of the Downtown Nanaimo Business Association, said while some businesses have struggled with construction noise and parking constraints, he senses a high buy-in rate to what the end goal is.

“Ninety per cent of the businesses are really positive right now and are pivoting and finding new ways to bring people downtown…I’m really impressed with everyone’s handling it.”

A pair of new businesses to the existing Commercial St. work zone are doing their best to navigate the challenges associated with modernizing the heart of the city’s downtown.

Kait Yelle is one of four business partners who opened clothing retailer Rumours Vintage Collective a little over a year ago.

She said their clientele is passionate about supporting local businesses and have been resilient as crews upgrade the street.

“Overall, we’re really excited what this construction and opportunities will bring to downtown Nanaimo and businesses on the street,” Yelle said.

Stating the “future will be amazing” once the project is complete, Yelle said navigating the area is easier than some people may believe since sidewalks and accesses to business are unobstructed.

“It might take you five more minutes to find parking, it’s just that much more important that you support the businesses that are down here.”

Kait Yelle and Hayley Belton are both embracing the process of rejuvenating Commercial St. (Ian Holmes/NanaimoNewsNOW)

A pair of owners behind the recently opened pizzeria Paisanos Slice Shop on Commercial St. are trying to establish themselves under less-than-ideal conditions.

“The timing wasn’t the best, was it?” Co-owner Kris joked with a laugh as he gazed out his shop window toward the construction site.

He too strongly believes the infrastructure work is required to inject some much-needed vibrancy into the area.

He said they’ve noticed a recent business slowdown, but are focused on positioning the business for growth by next year.

“It’s another obstacle for us, but we’re going to get through it, we’ll be stronger when we get through the winter and once it’s done it’ll look great out here.”

Multi-phase enhancements on Commercial St. are centred on increasing accessibility, featuring a street-level, event-ready sidewalk lining both sides of the street.

While on-street parking will be included in the next era of Commercial St., some of those spaces will contain patios, bike parking and trees.

A watermain replacement, lighting improvements and resurfaced Commercial St. are among other pending changes.

Free street parking for the duration of phase one Commercial St. enhancements includes room on Commercial St. south of Wharf St., Front Chapel, Church and Bastion Streets, as well as Anchor Way and Cameron Rd.

More details on the City of Nanaimo-led investments to Commercial St. can be found here.

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Ian.holmes@pattisonmedia.com

On Twitter: @reporterholmes

by Ian Holmes

Downtown Nanaimo merchants optimistic despite lengthy, disruptive construction project

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