Dorchester Square renovations worry business owners

For 18 years, Robert Spiridigliozzi has been running a café at Dorchester Square in downtown Montreal. But this year may be his hardest year yet.

Beginning in August, the square will undergo renovations, including taking away the westbound road.

The work is supposed to last one year which means the café, which does a brisk business in the tourist season, will lose out on several months.

“We've tried to contact the people that are taking care of the project and we still don't have any answers,” he said.

Just six years ago, the other side of the square went through major work, and area businesses complained they were affected.

So Spiridigliozzi emailed the mayor directly with his concerns, and was pleasantly surprised that Denis Coderre called him and said he would see what the city can do to help.

The problem is so far, there's not much they can do.

“We have already an expert group that, by June, will provide some recommendations” on what the city can do to help, Coderre said.

Business people here just hope the city will plan the work properly so that the impact is minimal and that they'll be compensated for any loss of income.