LAC LA BICHE - The Lac La Biche Main Street Revitalization Project is currently on time and is proceeding as planned, with work expected to wrap up by the October deadline, says Lac La Biche County spokesperson Jihad Moghrabi.
A little over a month since the project began, he says several key benchmarks have already been reached.
“Workers began installing a new sanitary main while removing the old one along 101 Avenue, starting at 101B Avenue and heading west to 103 Street,” Moghrabi explained. “Once work has been completed, the next phase of this project will be putting in a new main at 101B Avenue heading east to 102 Street. The construction crews are also removing much of the concrete around 103 Street, which will allow for work to begin on planter boxes.”
The current phase of construction is part of a three-phase, $31.5 million update to aging utility infrastructure in the community’s downtown core. Upgrades and enhancements to surface features like roadway bulbouts, new streetlights and sidewalks will also take place over the course of the project
Downtown reaction
The general consensus among business owners along Main Street after the opening month of work is mixed, with some saying that while the ongoing construction is necessary to revitalize and update infrastructure, it has impacted their bottom line and caused considerable inconvenience, while others have seen more positive outcomes.
Since much of her day-to-day interactions with clients are conducted outside of her downtown office, local realtor Charlyn Moore — who is also a two-term Lac La Biche County councillor — says so far, it’s been business as usual. She does see, however, how the construction has impacted people and businesses. She hopes residents will help those affected businesses in the construction zone by shopping locally.
“Because of this, it is my hope that the community comes out and helps support those in the construction area,” she said.
While there continues to be concerns from the business community, Moore said the project is necessary to replace aging infrastructure.
“Much of this infrastructure is well over 70 years old, and therefore, must be replaced and upgraded, as it won’t last much longer,” she said, echoing Moghrabi’s assurance that the work will finish on schedule. “The company is on schedule, so, weather-permitting, they should be done on time or even earlier than expected.”
Darren Happner, the owner of The Stitchin’ Man, feels the closure of Main Street has made many people reluctant to venture into the construction zone, but at the same time, business has been steady.
“Despite the lack of parking in the front of the store, the sidewalks are still open, and customers still come,” Happner stated.
The downtown merchant said there is a misconception that the construction has been the sole contributor to a downturn in local commerce, but other factors – notably a sluggish economy – come into play.
“Business is at the same pace it was prior to the commencement of the project,” Happner said. “Presently, business is slow everywhere, with people watching their money much more closely.”
While the altered state of Main Street is an inconvenience right how, Happner believes that in the long-term, it will be good for the area.
“Right now, people are wound-up and have difficulty accepting change,” he said. “Sure, this is a bit of a setback, but once the work is complete, it will be great.”
No bouquets given
A few doors down the street, Wade Carroll, the owner of Reminiscence Flowers and Gifts, doesn’t mince words when he states that the project has had a particularly detrimental effect on his business.
“Customer-count is down. Revenue is down. This has not done us any good,” he said concisely.
Carroll went on to say that people have difficulty navigating the construction zone, and consequently avoid the downtown core as much as possible, resulting in fewer customers.
“When you combine lack of access to a business with economics, you get hit with a devastating double whammy,” he said. “I just hope that when all this is over, we’re still here.”
Parking pivot and virtual contact
Maria Straus who has run the downtown Print Shop location with her husband Marvin for almost two decades, was one of a few local business owners to attend a series of open house presentations hosted by Lac La Biche County in the years leading up to the construction. She said that preparation and knowledge gave her the ability to make some changes before the construction cages went up and the traffic patterns around her store changed. She said customer first-contact through emails has helped to reduce foot-traffic, and creating a dedicated rear parking area has helped with product pick ups.
“While this has by no means been easy, it’s doable, and so far, there have been no customer complaints,” Straus stated. “Overall, everything has worked out quite well.”
Echoing the sentiments of other merchants in the construction zone, Straus is very supportive the revitalization project, stating once complete, it will significantly enhance the overall look of downtown Lac La Biche.
“I appreciate the hard work the construction crews have been doing,” she said. “I’m hoping by October that people will see truly how necessary this project was.”
Road will re-open
The construction project which began at the start of May is slated to be completed by the end of October. The 2024 start of the next phase will see a similar block of the downtown Main Street, but this time from 102 Street to 101 Street. That part of the project is expected to begin in May of 2024.
In the unlikely event that the the current phase is delayed, or the work is not completed by the October deadline, municipal officials say the road will be re-opened to traffic at the end of the construction season.
