LAC LA BICHE - Lac La Biche County must do more to accommodate downtown businesses affected by the ongoing Main Street construction, according to a local business owner who is representing several other merchants in the downtown area.
Dr. Mo Al-Bekai, optometrist and owner of Generations Eye Care, said the County should have been prepared to address issues related to the construction, prior to proceeding with the remainder of the $31.5 million project to revitalize the community's Main Street. from 103rd Street to 101st Street, especially the shortage of parking and limited public access.
The first phase of the downtown infrastructure project began two years ago from 105 Street to 103 Street with utility upgrades, road and sidewalk replacement and upgrades to the Richard Devonian Park. The most recent work started in May, upgrading the next portion of Main Street between 103 and 102 Street. The block is closed to all vehicle traffic until late October as underground utility infrastructure is upgraded, sidewalks are replaced, a new roadway is built and several new surface design upgrades are built. The final two phases of the Main Street upgrade — working up to 100 Street — will occur in each of the next two years.
Al-Bekai and a group of several local business owners want to make sure obstacles and issues do not continue into the next phases of the massive, multi-million dollar project. Safety, as well as economic worries top their list of concerns.
While the County has held numerous open house sessions for the public, set up signage in the community, adn opened an access road that runs parallel to the street, Al-Bekai is concerned about the safety of pedestrians accessing businesses this way.
“People have to walk over pipes and other obstructions, which is very unsafe,” he said. “Therefore, a pedestrian walkway is needed along the back road before somebody gets seriously hurt. Once the public has a safe place to walk, they will start coming back to our businesses.”
Chamber coming to Council
Representatives from the Lac La Biche and District Chamber of Commerce are expected to present more concerns this Tuesday at the Lac La Biche County Council meeting. The Chamber is listed as a delegation on the upcoming meeting's agenda. The Chamber presentation includes the results of a recent survey that saw 13 downtown business owners respond. Of the respondents, seven said they were concerned or very concerned about the effects of the construction project on their business, four were undecided about the effects on their business, and two said they were optimistic about the overall effects of the construction.
Looking forward to the next phase of construction — which includes the Main Street area where his Generations Eye Care business is located — Al-Bekai doesn't share the optimism of the two respondents
“I am not overly optimistic that because the County did little more than the bare minimum to accommodate businesses in the construction zone this year,” he said. “Already, one business owner whose clients were forced to the access his building through the back has shut down, and I’m afraid more will follow.”
A global pandemic and high rates of inflation that ensued were not kind to many businesses in the downtown core over the last few years. It is for this reason, Al-Bekai believes Lac La Biche County should have put off doing the project until the business community.
“When you consider the amount of damage that will be caused to the local economy, I really don’t think this work is worth it in the long run,” he said. “Shutting down a road in front of businesses that are already struggling is very unfair.”
The inconveniences caused by the construction prompted Al-Bekai to write a letter, which was presented to County council during the June 11 meeting. In it, the local optometrist outlined changes he and other Main Street business owners say are necessary to assist them and alleviate the financial burden they’ve been dealing with.
These measures include switching out entrances to the back alley to make public access to businesses more convenient, adding additional exterior signage, exterior door upgrades, and the installation of ramps and other accessibility features for customers with disabilities.
“I wrote this letter primarily to spark the conversation,” he said. “Myself and over 100 Lac La Biche residents also signed a petition that unfortunately the County did not recognize due to it not being legally binding.”
He says in recent weeks that La Biche County councillor. Charlyn Moore, who works at the REMAX real estate office on Main Street, has reached out to help business owners located on the community’s main drag.
“She has already spoken with council and administration about getting this done,” he added.
Al-Bekai is hopeful the County will take lessons learned from the first phase of the three-year major infrastructure project and be better prepared before construction resumes in the spring.
“While there are some parking spots behind my office, those businesses that don’t have any parking spaces are going to be hammered,” said Al-Bekai.
He believes that in order for the County and the business community to maintain a strong relationship, the two entities must work together.
“Many residents of Lac La Biche work downtown, and these businesses are vital to the local economy,” he said.
Ron Fraser, the associate CAO for Infrastructure Services for Lac La Biche County, said municipal officials have been and will continue to accommodate Main Street businesses as much as possible. He continued by saying that between now and next spring, public consultations will be held to review lessons learned from the first phase of the project and what can be done differently as it continues over the next two years.
“As of right now, we can’t stipulate what changes are going to be made. It’s important to consider what’s realistic and what isn’t,” Fraser said. “Members of the public have asked us if the project can be done differently, meaning is it necessary to block off roads? It simply isn’t possible to leave roads or intersections open while crews are working and must do tie-ins.”
Although the first year of construction for the Main Street Revitalization Project has been challenging for both businesses and people trying to navigate the construction zone, Fraser said the County has put increased signage, lighting and speed signs throughout the area.
“A number of businesses have taken the initiative and placed signs in the back of their buildings,” he said. “While some merchants are reporting a decline in business, others are saying that their bottom line is very good.”
Fraser said in the long term, this infrastructure project will be worth it. He added that the work being done to the remaining two sections of Main Street – due to the blocks being shorter – should not be as much of an inconvenience to the public.
“Too many people don’t see the positiveness of this project, but they will in a few months once they see a better street that’s much more inviting,” he said.
*with files from Rob McKinley
