Companies in LangleyBritish Columbia is bracing for the aftermath as the city prepares to revitalize its historic downtown.
Beginning January 2, 2025, work will begin on the Fraser Highway one-way project. The two-phase, $18 million project aims to improve pedestrian walkways, replace aging infrastructure, create more community spaces and revitalize landscaping.
The first phase will begin between Salt Lane and 206th Street and will limit parking along the road.
Everything except Diamonds owner David Stingl says that while businesses have known about the plans for some time, concerns remain about how stores will fare once work begins.
“We’re obviously very concerned that there’s not a lot for merchants to make sure that the city is doing adequate marketing, that sort of thing, to let people know that we’re open for closure,” he said. .
“I don’t know if any businesses will survive the shutdown.”
A big concern is the large fence that will go down the sidewalk, leaving limited space for pedestrians. Stingl says this will present an accessibility challenge for some people like the elderly.
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Stingl also says he would like to see more security to ensure none of the stores are negatively affected.
“The project is costing millions and millions of dollars, and it seems like they haven’t really done much to mitigate the impact it’s going to have on businesses,” Stingl said.
Randy’s Game Shop owner Randy Rennes echoes Stingl’s concerns, especially when it comes to losing parking in front of his store.
“It’s bad enough here on some days when there are lots of people parking and accessing the shops, so it’s hard to say how it’s going to be when the work actually starts,” he said.
Stingl says the city provided brochures for businesses to distribute to their customers, but he also thinks there could have been signs to warn people of the impending road and parking lot closures.
“I worry about a lot of business owners here,” he said. “I think it will have a significant impact and I just hope the project moves forward quickly.”
The City of Langley did not respond to request for comment before publication deadline.
The work is expected to last until summer 2025.