Businesses along Richmond Road say construction on the western extension of Ottawa’s LRT is driving customers away and some fear they won’t survive until the work is done. The stretch of Richmond Road has been under construction for more than a year for Stage 2 of the LRT. With part of Woodroffe Avenue also closed since late July, owners say things have gone from bad to worse. Alaa Kiki, owner of Kiki Barber Shop, says he’s been trying to direct customers to his shop, but the signs are getting taken down by Ottawa Bylaw. “I put one sign at the bottom of Woodroffe just to let people know we are still alive, and they removed it. They said, ‘No, you’re not allowed, next time we’re going to give you a fine,’” Kiki said. Kiki told CTV News Ottawa last summer that sales were down as much as 80 per cent after construction began. Now, he says it’s worse, despite spending more than $2,500 a month on online advertising. “I’m trying to survive but there are no clients,” he said. “I will never survive the business…I’m facing a very bad situation.” Customers say detours and confusing signage is making it difficult to navigate their way to the business. “I had to go all around but I didn’t even know where to go, so I wasn’t sure if I would find my way here,” said one client. Since part of Woodroffe Avenue closed at the end of July, a local pharmacy says it’s been dealing with a massive mound of dirt outside its front window for weeks. “It’s definitely affected our business,” said Hany Armanuos, owner of St. Mary Richmond IDA Pharmacy. “We were hoping for better communication, but we haven’t actually received any for upcoming construction.” Bay Ward Coun. Theresa Kavanagh says the city can’t directly compensate businesses, but the contractor was supposed to help with advertising. “I don’t know what happened but I’m finding it very frustrating myself because I’m told that they were going to do something,” said Kavanagh. “I’m going to request that we do look into what can be done in terms of other things that would help businesses.” Woodroffe Avenue is expected to reopen in October, and Richmond Road early next year. But Kiki says that may be too late. “This month I have the rent, but next month I swear I don’t have it so how can I survive,” he said. In a statement Ottawa Bylaw and Regulatory Services tells CTV News it removed three signs on Thursday because they violated the city’s sign policy, saying in part: “By-law and Regulatory Services (BLRS) understands that ongoing construction on Richmond Road is challenging for nearby businesses, and that visibility and access are important during this time. On July 31, BLRS removed three signs from Sherbourne Road between Saville Row and Keenan Avenue, as they were in contravention of the Signs on City Roads By-law (By-law No. 2003-520), which prohibits sign placement on the City’s right of way. Two of the signs belonged to a business on Richmond Road, and a third sign belonged to a business not located in the area. The signs removed were ground-mounted signs, and did not provide directional information to assist customers in accessing businesses affected by the construction.” Meanwhile, the city tells CTV News it is “actively working with the contractor to expedite the removal of the temporary stockpile which is anticipated to begin once the materials have been tested and categorized for disposal.” Going on to say, “The City of Ottawa is committed to supporting impacted residents and businesses as we extend the O-Train system farther west to Algonquin College and Moodie Drive. We understand that the revitalization work on Richmond Road can be disruptive, and we are committed to keeping the community informed.”
