Downtown Nanaimo business owners raise concerns over construction

The first phase of construction on Commercial Street in downtown Nanaimo is set to begin on Tuesday, closing the street to vehicle traffic for the next eight months. 

After three years of public consultation and planning, the project is set to replace a water main, while also increasing accessibility downtown with a flattened curb and improve lighting. 

Mayor Leonard Krog says the project will cost $5.7 million, $900,000 of which is just for the water main. 

The City says the project will enhance the ability to have events downtown, and fits into plans to improve Nanaimo's city centre. 

Some local businesses say they're concerned construction will have a detrimental effect on their bottom line after they've already endured a lengthy construction project on nearby Terminal Street.

Valentina Cardinalli, owner of NoiseAgonyMayhem, a record store that opened up shop downtown Nanaimo this year, attended a meeting just over two weeks ago where several local businesses met with the city to discuss their concerns. 

Cardinalli said she left that meeting disappointed and frustrated. 

"I felt that there was no respect," she said. 

"I've put in 20 years of love into this community, and to not have that seen or recognized or acknowledged, I felt it was really quite rude."

She says her suggestions to shorten construction time or stagger work throughout the day were not heard. 

"I understand that work does have to happen, but maybe there could be a little more give and take, and it would be nice to keep those lines of communication open."

Downtown Reimagined

The construction is the next phase in a series of improvements to Nanaimo's downtown that aim to bring people to the city centre. 

Krog says that significant work hasn't been done to the area since the '80s and that the infrastructure is in need of improvement to fit the larger city that Nanaimo has become. 

"There is a lot happening in the downtown, and as mayor, I appreciate it's disruptive for some folks," said Krog. 

"But this is how great cities are built, and these are necessary improvements."

Krog also points out that the construction on Commercial Street is already being done in phases — with this being the first — to help mitigate the impact, as well as being out of high season. 

Cardinalli says she feels like she has been left out of the process. 

"They've reimagined Nanaimo, but they've reimagined it without me in it," she said. 

Construction is set to take place over the next eight months, and will wrap up in May 2025, according to the city's website.