Olympic transport plan brings hope to some businesses, fear to others
Two major Vancouver streets that will be affected by Olympics traffic changes next year expect very different outcomes for the bottom lines of their businesses.
Robson Street merchants expect a windfall from traffic being rerouted to create pedestrian-only corridors on Robson and Granville Streets.
Cambie Street businesses, on the other hand, are fearing profit losses. The transportation plan for Cambie calls for no parking along the street 24 hours a day during the Winter Games and the week before.
The news has been tough for Cambie Street merchants to swallow, seeing as most have already suffered massive business losses during the construction of the Canada Line rapid transit system.
"They’ve had a hard time and they’ve just made it through it — we’ve just made it through it," said Justine Gabias of Mount Pleasant Cheese.
Parking is not the only challenge. Merchants fear that with 24-hour no-parking rules and the absence of back alleys behind businesses, deliveries will be halted.
"It seems so harsh," said Caroline Boquist of Walrus Home Design. "Seventeen-plus days. What are they going to do? How can there be some solution? What are some alternatives they’re going to offer?"
Cambie Street stores' reaction to the transportation plan are in stark contrast to Robson Street, where retailers expect to benefit from as many as 135,000 spectators pouring into the downtown core each day of the Olympics.
The Lennox Pub, which sits at the corner of two planned pedestrian-only corridors — Robson and Granville Streets — expects considerable increases in profit.
"It should triple the amount of foot traffic, and being right on the corner, you can’t miss Lennox Pub," said Ray Short, manager of the pub.
Certain businesses, like Robson’s Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory, are expecting even hotter sales because the Games will coincide with traditionally lucrative Valentine’s Day.
"We are definitely anticipating sales being up, because... it is our busiest time of year at Valentine's Day," said Alison Peters, the chain's district manager.
So far, 80 per cent of the Olympic transportation plan has been unveiled, with the rest expected to be released by fall.
Vancouver city officials said they are willing to work with businesses in the months leading up to the Games to iron out any concerns and propose solutions.
Some possible changes on Cambie Street include putting in parking spaces close to the street and placing signs, banners and street lighting promoting Cambie near the Olympic curling venue, which will be one kilometre away.