City council is considering financial assistance for some west Edmonton businesses shouldering the impact of years of LRT construction.
After looking at compensation options for businesses affected by lengthy city construction projects, council members are now considering a one-time aid program specifically for shops and services within the Stony Plain Road Business Association.
Valley Line West LRT construction has been underway along Stony Plain Road for more than three years, with business owners trying to cope through ripped-up roads, blocked parking lots and closed sidewalks.
Percy Wiredu runs three restaurants in Edmonton, including El Corazon, at the corner of Stony Plain Road and 142nd Street. He told council’s executive committee last week that LRT construction cut business revenue by more than a third, forcing them to lay off staff.
“Part of our frustration is the lack of progress and what seems to be constant delays,” he said.
“As a restaurant and a business, we have to budget. However, the communication isn’t happening.”
Council will continue the discussion this week, now looking at putting $250,000 toward a grant program. Under the current proposal, the Stony Plain Road Business Association would handle the process of doling out funds.
Coun. Aaron Paquette said it could work like a pilot project to see if it’s feasible, or helpful enough to businesses that it could be expanded.
It’s unclear how much money each business would be able to access — city staff estimated costs at $225,000 per 100 businesses, which would mean individual payments of $2,250. Mayor Amarjeet Sohi questioned whether that’s enough to make a meaningful difference for business owners reporting losses that add up to $10,000 or more every month.
With parts of Stony Plain Road partly or fully closed for construction on the Valley Line West LRT, businesses are raising concerns about customers’ ability to get to them. CBC’s Natasha Riebe took a walk to see how the disruption is affecting the street.
Association executive director Todd Janes said local businesses haven’t had any financial relief for years, and governments need to plan to deliver that support in advance.
“It’s not enough to say, ‘Suck it up for a few years. If a few of you die, that’s OK, because we’ll get a few others in over time,’ ” he said.
“I think without some municipal government intervention along Stony Plain Road, you’re going to either pay now or pay later.”
If council members ask this week to make the funding part of their budget deliberations, they’ll decide this fall whether it goes ahead.
But after a lengthy discussion about another challenging time for the city’s finances, with the risk of a hefty property tax hike, CFO Stacey Padbury said there isn’t extra money for the program.
“I do not see a scenario where I bring this to you funded, given everything I’ve shown you,” she said.
“It’s up to you, at budget, to determine whether you want to fund this.”