NANAIMO — After almost a year of road closures and construction delays, the revamped downtown core is ready to show off its new shine.
An official grand opening of the long-awaited sections of Commercial St. between Wharf and Bastion Streets was held on Thursday, July 24, and while pedestrians appeared to enjoy the look of new upgrades, some area businesses are more than eager to see construction end.
Owner of Red Shelf Decor on Commercial St. and vice-chairperson of the Downtown Nanaimo Business Association, Steven Johns told NanaimoNewsNOW it feels like reaching the end of a marathon.
“I think it’s amazing…it’s been a bit of a rocky journey at times, the last 10 months, but we’re really just sprinting to the end now, and I think people are going to love what they see when they come down here. Very exciting day, and very exciting times for downtown right now.”
Steven Johns makes a speech during the ceremonial bollard drop on Thursday, July 24 on Commercial St., marking the official re-opening of Commercial St. to vehicle and pedestrian traffic, flanked by Nanaimo mayor Leonard Krog and MLA for Nanaimo-Ladysmith Sheila Malcolmson. (right) (Jordan Davidson/NanaimoNewsNOW)A portion of Commercial St. between Bastion and Wharf St. reopened to vehicular traffic last week, with the area now fully accessible once again.
Work started on phase one of the Design Commercial: Downtown Reimagined Project in early September between Wharf and Chapel Street, with the project between Wharf and Church St. scheduled to be done by the end of May.
The Bastion/Commercial St. intersection was shut down all day Thursday to allow pressure washing to be done at the intersection’s enlarged Pride mural feature prior to the Thursday night market.
Johns said the upgrades make the area very pedestrian-friendly, including the addition of bike racks, curbless sidewalks, and benches.
“It just looks very much more appealing down here, and all the shops are full, from what I can tell. It’s just great businesses down here right now, as well as all the money the province and the City have put into this, making it look really beautiful.”
However, not all businesses along Commercial St. shared Johns opinions, with some visibly upset as workers continued with finishing touches.
Looking down Church St. towards Melange restaurant on Commercial St., with some finishing touches still being completed, including better lighting and a flexible patio space. (Jordan Davidson/NanaimoNewsNOW)Gaetan, owner of Melange restaurant, located at the end of Commercial St. at the Church and Chapel St. intersection, said his patio has been basically unusable due to the noise and dirt caused by construction.
“This needs to be done. It looks like a mess. We’re in the middle of the tourist season, who wants to walk in the streets? This winter was horrible for us, like all of us on the street, so we need the summer to be good, and look around.”
Amy, from Reds Bakery at the corner of Commercial and Skinner Streets, said it was frustrating to see construction stop at night and on weekends, as she and many other businesses were anxious to see it completed.
“It’s going to be so lovely once it’s done…we didn’t really lose that many parking spots, so that’s never been something I’ve been bothered by…it’s still barely walkable, it’s still a mobility problem for people, and if they’re done by September, I’ll be surprised.”
Construction was delayed by coal mine shafts unexpectedly closer to the road’s surface than anticipated in October, but City staff say they don’t see the shafts impacting future enhancement work on Commercial St.
Some final touches, including more vegetation and remaining brickwork, are still being done along Commercial St., expected to be complete by August. (Jordan Davidson/NanaimoNewsNOW)Pedestrians Reaction
Pedestrians in the area, both local and tourist, appeared to be happy with the upgraded look.
Gabriolla Island resident Richard, while watching crews powerwash the Pride mural, thinks it’s a “massive improvement” to the area.
“It’s going to make the downtown alive again. More walkable, it’s just cleaner looking, it’s freshened up, it looks like there’s a lot that can happen now. It’s not looking old and stale, eh? It’s looking like a very good upgrade, but it’s not overdone. I think it’s nice.”
Nanaimo-resident Luca, while enjoying a donut purchased from a local shop, has continued to frequent the area all throughout construction.
“I come down here all the time, but it just seems really disruptive to these little businesses…I was just thinking it looked really cute. It looks like a cute little sitcom.”
Dyra, visiting from Vernon, and her young daughter Teigh liked the new look.
“Definitly (more walkable and pedestrian friendly), I’ve been here before and there’s a lot of people walking around in this area during the daytime so I can see that it’s a very well-trafficked area.”
Teigh added two enthusiastic thumbs up when asked what they thought of the upgrades, with the colourful Pride crosswalk being their favourite.
Oregon residents Dale and Susan visit Vancouver Island for vacation at least once a year and were blown away by the upgrades.
“It’s wonderful, so beautiful. We’ll be coming down here to shop.”
Total funding for this project is $6.2 million, which includes $4 million in provincial funding.
Future projects in the area include the new BC Transit downtown exchange, expected to be built on Terminal Ave., just south of Commercial St., sometime next year.
(L-R) Nanaimo City councillor Janice Perrino, Red Sheld Decor owner Steven Johns, Coun. Erin Hemmens, Coun. Hilary Eastmure, MLA Sheila Malcolmson, Coun. Ian Thorpe, mayor Leonard Krog, Coun. Paul Manly, and the City’s manager of community safety Dave LaBerge, during the ceremonial retractable bollard drop along Commercial St. on Thursday, July 24. (City of Nanaimo))Subscribe to our daily news wrap. Local news delivered to your email inbox every evening. Stay up to date on everything Nanaimo and Oceanside.
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