‘I want to understand what their perspective is’: Mayor wants meet-up with Marda Loop businesses

Calgary's mayor says she wants to have a meeting with Marda Loop businesses on the ongoing construction issues in that neighbourhood.

Calgary’s mayor says she wants to have a special meeting with Marda Loop businesses on their ongoing construction issues.

This comes after the owner of Doodle Dogs told CTV News on Tuesday that she’s seen a huge drop in customers over the past 15 months of construction and blames the city for her business’ closure.

In one case, crews actually flagged people away from her store.

Mayor Jyoti Gondek says construction should be done in two months, but she wants to hear from the businesses themselves.

“I want to have a good conversation with businesses that are expressing difficulty or making decisions to leave. I want to understand what their perspective is,” Gondek said.

“I think it’s really important in my position to reach out to them and say, ‘You’re valued in our city,’ and ‘What’s happened? What would you have liked to have seen done differently?’

“So, that’s what I really want to achieve.”

Gondek says the high amount of rain recently has caused some delays in construction.

She has asked administration to see if they can place some interim measures in the area to help local businesses.

Meanwhile, the mayor and businesses are encouraging people to shop in Marda Loop, and they hope Marda Gras will help.

The event returns Sunday, celebrating 40 years.

The free, family festival hosted by the Marda Loop Business Improvement Area includes music, games, a pet pageant and food.

More than 35,000 people are expected to visit the neighbourhood, as 33rd Avenue S.W. becomes car-free between 10 a.m. and 5 p.m.