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Concerns Rise Over Gastown’s Car-Free Pilot Project Impact on Local Businesses
As Peter Buckley, CEO of Old Spaghetti Factory Canada, sits outside his restaurant in Vancouver’s historic Gastown, he gazes at the unusually vacant patio. This time of year typically attracts a steady flow of tourists and locals, but the scene is quite different this summer.
“We’re facing volumes – outside of COVID – that we haven’t seen in our 54 years of operation in Gastown,” Buckley remarked, highlighting the extent of the decline in customer turnout.
Many business owners in the area share Buckley’s growing frustration, citing the city’s pedestrian-only pilot project as a contributing factor to dwindling foot traffic and financial losses. “It’s a disaster,” stated Ian Tostenson, president and CEO of the BC Restaurant and Foodservices Association, pointing out that restaurants are particularly affected by this significant downturn. “We’re seeing sales drop by as much as 30 percent,” he added.
The pilot, which commenced at the beginning of July and is slated to continue until the end of August, has been met with skepticism. Tostenson and fellow business leaders are urging the city to halt the initiative, arguing that it is premature.
Vancouver’s Car Culture Struggles with Pedestrian Initiatives
“I think the intention was good, but we’re not ready for it,” Tostenson remarked, echoing concerns about Vancouver’s heavy reliance on automobiles. Buckley supports this viewpoint, noting that cities in Europe, which have implemented similar projects, benefit from higher population densities and robust public transportation systems that reduce dependency on personal vehicles.
Compounding these issues is the fact that the closure has obstructed tour buses from delivering visitors close to local shops and restaurants, further affecting business. “We’ve received negative feedback from over 30 businesses, all feeling significant economic pressures,” said Wally Wargolet of the Gastown Business Improvement Society.
As a result of the downturn, for the first time in memory, some restaurants are resorting to layoffs during what is typically a lucrative summer season. Buckley mentioned that his establishment, which normally employs about 140 staff members at peak times, is now operating with just 110.
Previous Disruptions and the Future of Gastown
Earlier in 2023, many businesses in the area reported multi-million dollar losses due to extensive repair work that was necessary before the traffic closure could take place. This work, part of a substantial $10 million revitalization effort for the Gastown area, focused on Maple Tree Square and Water Street.
“I think it’s early days,” said Councillor Sarah Kirby-Yung regarding the ongoing pilot project. She emphasized the importance of gathering feedback from both businesses and residents to understand its effects. “We’re learning from other cities and will continue to listen,” she added.
Kirby-Yung also pointed out that the impact of construction prior to the pilot should be considered when evaluating the slowdown in business. Earlier, local business owners expressed concerns about the program’s potential benefits, recognizing its promise for tourism while worrying that the absence of parking would deter local shoppers.
Positive feedback from some residents about the pilot has been noted by Kirby-Yung, who did not exclude the possibility of adjusting the pilot to restrict road closures to weekends or implement seasonal changes. “Nothing is set in stone,” she affirmed. “This is a pilot, and we’re not enacting permanent adjustments. We’ll take all feedback into account as we move forward.”
Buckley recently shared his restaurant’s historical guest counts with city councillors, aiming to demonstrate that the pilot is failing to deliver its intended results. “I’ve been providing weekly updates to the mayor and city council, showing them firsthand that this pilot project unfortunately isn’t working,” he said. “Ultimately, the road needs to be reopened. It simply must be.”
Source
globalnews.ca