EDMONTON – The owner of a Jasper Avenue convenience store lost his fight Monday for a tax cut because of construction disruption.
Thomas Yu, who runs a shop in the Central LRT station pedway beneath the Cambridge Lofts, said foot traffic is down 70 per cent since LRT roof repairs and road work from 100th Street to 102nd Street started last April.
The confusing maze of fences and detours made it hard to find his shop, he said.
“In many instances we have to search for the customers and escort them to our store,” Yu told council’s executive committee, adding trucks have become so lost they couldn’t make deliveries.
The situation was worse last year because there weren’t decent signs showing where his outlet is located, he said to support his argument that his 2012 property taxes should be reduced by $743 to make up for this hardship.
Many other businesses along this stretch of Jasper have complained about the problems caused by construction, which closed two lanes of traffic, rerouted all buses and shut sidewalks.
All four lanes of the street were supposed to be reopened for the winter, but that idea was abandoned when the project fell behind schedule.
Yu was the only person to formally ask for a tax break.
Arterial roads director Paul Szczepanski agreed the work has created difficulties for customers trying to reach firms in the area.
“What we did was, like any other project, put general signs at either end indicating that business is open. What we have done (now) is a lot more signage, business logos,” he said.
“We have enhanced our approach to wayfinding for businesses in this type of project. It’s something we will be doing with other projects.”
However, committee members turned down Yu’s request, saying hundreds of businesses are affected by city construction every year.
“I appreciate the gentleman’s situation,” Coun. Kim Krushell said.
“The reality is, we have numerous businesses … We don’t normally give tax breaks when we’re doing work in the area. That would set a precedent.”
Last weekend, all the northside sidewalks were opened and traffic was switched to Jasper’s two north lanes so the second half of the project could start.
Work is expected to be finished in October.
Mayor Stephen Mandel wants to make sure contractors finish projects on time so firms aren’t put at such a disadvantage as those on Jasper.
“(It) has been a disaster, to be honest with you, but unfortunately it’s part and parcel of the … reality of construction in our city.”
Yu later said he doesn’t blame the contractor and the situation around him has improved this year, with better signs and maps directing people around the hoardings.
He’s not upset councillors didn’t give him the money he was seeking, saying he mainly wanted to find a way to push the city to work more efficiently in the future.
“It’s a cost of business. I understand. As a small business, we have to survive until this construction is done. It’s only $700. It’s not going to save my life. It’s just to bring up the argument that the city has to do a better job,” he said.
“I think it would be a good precedent. If they don’t do a good job on communication, they would be penalized in taxes. That’s my purpose.”
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