The bulldozers are slowly moving their way along Goderich’s Square as Phase One and Two of the town’s downtown reconstruction project near completion. “Things are going good. Better than expected, actually,” said Goderich’s Mayor, Trevor Bazinet. Work to replace century old water and sewer pipes under Goderich’s Courthouse Square began in May. The work, which also includes new intersections, sidewalks, lamp posts, planter boxes, and trees, is almost done in Phase One from South to East Street. The bulk of the construction has now moved into Phase Two between South and West Street. The old pipes are already dug up from that stretch and work on rebuilding the road is underway. “The big thing is they are on time. So, we’re hopeful that Phase Two will be completed by the end of November. Stop for the winter. Phase Three and Phase Four, on the other side of the Square will start off in early spring, hopefully,” said Bazinet. That can’t come soon enough for Goderich’s downtown business owners, like Steve Bruce, who runs Steve and Mary’s Restaurant, firmly within Phase Two of the construction zone. “Business has slowed down, for sure. It’s kind of hard to get to the restaurant. The sidewalks have moved. We’ve got some light gravel down. But we’re just going to manage through it, and push our way through,” he said. As much as everyone is trying to keep a stiff upper lip, this construction project, has kept customers away, and not just a few. “On average, we’re looking at about 25 to 30 per cent down in revenue is what businesses are sharing with us,” said Bazinet. “So, it is substantial. The businesses are still open to serve the public that want to come here. It is accessible.” Bruce added that restaurant staff understand, and they are working with the owners on things. “They’ve got some reduced hours because of the lack of traffic coming in the front door. But they’re here for the long haul, as well. Most of our staff were here during COVID, and this is just another version of that, I guess you could say,” said Bruce. There is light at the end of tunnel. Just ask the businesses between South and East Street, watching sidewalks being stamped today. “We’re encouraged. Yeah, we have been waiting a while, but it’s been a good process. They’ve been very efficient, and we’ve done okay through it. People have stuck with us, but this will be a lot easier for them to reach us, soon,” said John De Jager, owner of De Jager Town Square IDA Pharmacy, located in the Phase One construction zone. “I can be mad about it, I can be angry and curse everybody, but I’m not going to. This is a positive thing for the town,” said De Jager. “It’s replacing pipe that’s 100 years old, which needed to be done. Let’s get it done. Rip off the Band-Aid. Next year we’re going to have at least half the Square done, we’ll get some new frontage, and it’s going to be amazing place to be,” said Bruce, whose restaurant falls within Phase Two of the construction zone. Mayor Bazinet said he sympathizes with the downtown businesses and encourages everyone to frequent them during this difficult time. He said the good news is the $11-million downtown construction project is on budget and on time, so the top coat of asphalt should go on as planned in time for the town’s bi-centennial in early 2027.
