Small businesses claim Broadway subway construction causing revenue losses
Small business owners in Vancouver say they have fewer customers and are making less money, and it's not just because of the pandemic.
Construction on the new Broadway subway line is well underway. Some vehicle lanes and street parking along West Broadway between Main and Arbutus streets have been eliminated as a result.
Vivian Zeng owns the We Do Beauty salon near Arbutus Street and West Broadway. She says customers are cancelling their appointments because they’re having trouble finding anywhere to park.
"They say 'Vivian, I love you, but because of (the construction), I need to go somewhere else'," Zeng said.
On top of the inconvenience, Zeng says noise from the construction has become unbearable. She and her staff have been taking Advil while on shift because the constant drilling and sawing gives them headaches. Zeng’s concerned she may end up losing an employee because of all the racket.
"If this issue is going to continue for a long time, she’s going to quit."
Broadway subway construction is different from the cut-and-cover method that devastated businesses along the Cambie corridor when the Canada Line was constructed ahead of the 2010 Winter Olympics. This time around, vehicle decks are being built to let cars travel above while boring machines create the subway tunnel underground. The project is scheduled for completion in 2025, and street parking will be reduced until then.
"It’s definitely hurting business," said Jory Shepek, co-owner of the Better Bodies gym on West Broadway near Arbutus Street.
With street parking ripped up, the gym owners have been forced to buy extra stalls in the building parkade for their customers. Each spot comes with a 24 per cent parking tax, a pricy premium that comes as the fitness centre tries bouncing back from COVID-19 related closures.
The Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure tells CTV News that outreach with businesses impacted by the subway project continues, and they're working with the City of Vancouver to address parking needs on streets adjacent to West Broadway.
"While the construction phase can be disruptive, the benefits of the completed project will far outweigh any temporary disruptions," a ministry spokesperson told CTV News in a statement. "This project will benefit many British Columbians by expanding fast, frequent and convenient SkyTrain service and advancing the Province’s commitment to green transportation infrastructure."
Shepek and Zeng agree expanded transit would help business, but they aren’t sure if they’ll be able to weather the storm of construction. They’re calling on the B.C. government to step up and provide some form of reimbursement for lost revenue.
"We’re trying so hard to survive during the pandemic, and now we’re facing this problem for another few years," said Zeng.
Once complete, the Broadway Subway Project will move passengers from the VCC-Clark SkyTrain Station to Arbutus in approximately 11 minutes.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
'A beautiful soul': Funeral held for baby boy killed in wrong-way crash on Highway 401
A funeral was held on Wednesday for a three-month-old boy who died after being involved in a wrong-way crash on Highway 401 in Whitby last week.
'Sophisticated' cyberattacks detected on B.C. government networks, premier says
There has been a "sophisticated" cybersecurity breach detected on B.C. government networks, Premier David Eby confirmed Wednesday evening.
Police handcuff man trying to enter Drake's Toronto mansion
Toronto police say a man was taken into custody outside Drake's Bridle Path mansion Wednesday afternoon after he tried to gain access to the residence.
Biden says he will stop sending bombs and artillery shells to Israel if they launch major invasion of Rafah
U.S. President Joe Biden said for the first time Wednesday he would halt shipments of American weapons to Israel, which he acknowledged have been used to kill civilians in Gaza, if Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu orders a major invasion of the city of Rafah.
Canucks claw out 5-4 comeback win over Oilers in Game 1
Dakota Joshua had a goal and two assists and the Vancouver Canucks scored three third-period goals to claw out a 5-4 comeback victory over the Edmonton Oilers in Game 1 of their second-round playoff series Wednesday.
Nijjar murder suspect says he had Canadian study permit in immigration firm's video
One of the Indian nationals accused of murdering British Columbia Sikh activist Hardeep Singh Nijjar says in a social media video that he received a Canadian study permit with the help of an Indian immigration consultancy.
Pfizer agrees to settle more than 10K lawsuits over Zantac cancer risk: Bloomberg News
Pfizer has agreed to settle more than 10,000 lawsuits about cancer risks related to the now discontinued heartburn drug Zantac, Bloomberg News reported on Wednesday, citing people familiar with the deal.
Quebec premier defends new museum on Quebecois nation after Indigenous criticism
Quebec Premier Francois Legault is defending his comments about a new history museum after he was accused by a prominent First Nations group of trying to erase their history.
U.S. presidential candidate RFK Jr. had a brain worm, has recovered, campaign says
Independent U.S. presidential candidate Robert F. Kennedy Jr. had a parasite in his brain more than a decade ago, but has fully recovered, his campaign said, after the New York Times reported about the ailment.