SUMMERSIDE – The excessive rainfall that has fallen on the Island has not only affected agricultural, tourism and backyard barbecues but it has also impacted the schedule of the Water Street redevelopment project.
Peter Brown, interim president of Downtown Summerside Inc., said the work is slightly behind schedule because of the wet weather but crews from Island Coastal are certain they can make it up.
“We’re probably two days behind because of weather,” Brown said. “It is a little bit behind, but not serious.”
Closing down a section of the main access to the downtown retail area has caused some concern among the business owners, but Brown said the majority is in support of the work.
“There are some businesses that are be affected obviously, a Chinese restaurant particularly isn’t very happy, because they don’t have a back entrance. There still seems to be good support all the way.”
Brown said several merchants are making the best of the situation and being creative to draw in the shopping public.
“Some of the ads in the paper, like Tickle Trunk and others have Big Dig specials,” he said. “And there are others that have 10 per cent off so the merchants are taking a little bit of an advantage of it.”
Brown said there has been a lot of positive feedback about the fencing that surrounds the project area.
“I think everything is going good, I was extremely pleased with the cage they actually put around (the work site),” he said. “It’s just well, well done. There is positive feedback from that. The safety issue is one side of it, but to have the visibility because in a lot of these they fill it full of plywood and the people can’t see anything.”
One of the changes that has occurred because of the construction was making First Street, which runs parallel to Water Street, a two-way street. Many businesses have access from First Street.
Councillor Tina Mundy told council Monday night that she has received positive comments about the change and suggested that perhaps city council should consider maintaining it as a two-way street after the Water Street redevelopment project is completed.
Brown agreed.
“That came through as a request from a couple of the businesses,” Brown said. “We’ve always kind of figured that (First Street) as kind of ‘the back alley.’ . . . I think if we can re-create that as another kind of downtown street instead of being a back alley as it always was perceived, I like the idea of keeping it two ways.”
Brown said the sidewalk on the north side of First Street could be removed if city feels the street should be widened for two-way traffic.
“It’s these types of things that are going to create value for everybody down there now and forever. It’s still positive, obviously some pain, but it’s still pretty positive in the hearts and minds from most everybody’s feedback that we’re getting. It’s going well as good as can be expected.”
