Downtown St. John’s businesses are concerned with the ongoing construction on the National War Memorial and they’re calling on the provincial government to consider the impact the work is having on local business owners.
The National War Memorial is in the process of being refurbished. The work will include for the very first time, a Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, and is expected to be completed in time for Memorial Day—next July 1.
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Local business owners stress that while they have no issues with the renovation, they’re upset with the way it’s being carried out, with road closures that are having a significant impact on their bottom line.
Spokesperson Brian Henley of The Dog House and Jakes Grooming Parlour says local businesses were also not aware that the War Memorial’s footprint is being expanded, meaning some parking spots will disappear.
“They are telling us it’s permanent,” says Henley. The National War Memorial is being expanded, taking up some of the sidewalk and parking spaces. “How are we going to deal with that with snow clearing?”
The business owners are demanding that parking be restored and they’re looking for improvements to communication to allow business owners to adjust.
He worries that if the issue isn’t rectified immediately, some businesses will shut down.
“And that’s going to affect families and their incomes.” Henley says one local business, run by newcomers, has been forced to reduce its staff by 80 per cent because of the impact of the work underway. “They’re very fine people…and government is basically shunning them.”
The group says area businesses generate close to one third of their yearly revenue in the eight weeks leading up to Christmas and they believe it was careless of government “to schedule a project of such magnitude now.”
