Pair of Plus-15 rehab projects have downtown eateries worried for their businesses

Rehabilitation work on two Plus-15s in downtown Calgary — part of ongoing work to repair the network's aging infrastructure — has some nearby eateries worried about the financial hit to their businesses.

The Plus-15s near Fifth Avenue and Sixth Street S.W. have been closed since mid-July, and that's exactly when Kristy Pan, the owner of Canterra Market & Deli, noticed customer visits dropping off, she says.

Her deli is located beside one of the boarded up Plus-15s, which are part of a large network of skywalks connecting 130 buildings downtown. 

"We have half customers from that side and half customers from that side — I'm right in between," Pan said. "That means I lost an entire side of business."

Pan noted the latest problem falls on the heels of other financial hurdles, including an economic downturn and the impact of the pandemic.

In an email to CBC News, the City of Calgary says it understands construction "can create operational challenges for businesses." The city said the majority of construction activities should be finished and the bridges reopened by the end of November.

The owner of another adjacent restaurant says he's concerned that by then some customers may have already established other lunchtime routines.

"This is what makes us all afraid … because  it's not just the damage that comes today, it also can be long term," said Annibale Bruno, owner of Pronto Pizza-Pasta.

Seeking compensation

Bruno says that as soon as the Plus 15s closed, he and other owners reached out to the city to see if they could be compensated. But they were told no, he said.

A City of Calgary spokeswoman told CBC News the city doesn't provide compensation to businesses or property owners affected by construction.

"The Plus-15 infrastructure is aging and requires renovations to ensure they remain safe and in good condition. These projects prolong the life of the Plus-15 structures so they can benefit businesses and their customers for years to come."

In response to the restaurant's concerns, the city installed some arrows to help direct people through detours. They were put in about two months after the bridge closures began. Pan says they've helped a little.

Pan also says she suggested the city close half the bridge at a time to allow people to still get through.

But the city told CBC News that crews are unable to work on one side of the bridge while "life safety systems are being upgraded, and ceiling and floors are being replaced or rebuilt," in order to protect the public.

Loyalty card

Heather McRae with the Calgary Downtown Association says it came up with a temporary punch-card loyalty program in an effort to bring customers back.

After five meals, the association will cover up to $10 of the cost of a sixth meal.

"We wanted to remind people that small businesses are reliant on their support in order to survive," said McRae. 

"We've had a lot of economic blows in downtown, and so it was a gesture of support for our local businesses." 

Bruno appreciates the gesture but says it's not enough.

"Because no, end of the day, end of the month, we got to pay our bills," said Bruno.