This week, I convened a meeting with the small businesses located at 911, 917 Richmond Road and nearby to discuss the challenges they have been facing due to the ongoing Stage 2 project and the Richmond Road Revitalization projects, especially in the Woodroffe/ Richmond area.
Representatives from the City of Ottawa, OC Transpo and KEV, (Stage 2 contractor) were in attendance to provide a status report about progress on construction, and to hear concerns. Businesses represented at the meeting were Mia’s Indian Cuisine, Flowers by Maggie, Pool-a-Rama, Subway, KIKI barbershop, Ottawa Honda/Tops Car Wash, as well as Woodroffe North and McKellar Park community association representatives. I want to thank them all for their attendance.
The meeting focused primarily on the difficult impacts that the businesses have been experiencing throughout construction. Topics covered at the meeting included access to businesses, signage, safety at crossings, communications, access for emergency, construction and delivery vehicles, and advertising.
As has been confirmed before, financial compensation for revenues lost to those effected by construction is not permitted by provincial regulation. Stage 2 LRT staff also confirmed that ongoing detours and inconveniences due to construction will continue throughout 2025 but are scheduled to end this calendar year.
I share the communities’ concerns for these small businesses. The challenges have forced one to close their doors and others to see less customers. As a community, we all benefit from their presence. I encourage you to shop local whenever possible, especially as we go through these disruptions. Our local businesses are relying on our intentional support to get through this very challenging time.
Please direct your questions and report any problems you experience with access to local businesses by contacting stage2@ottawa.ca. This will help alert the Stage 2 Team to address areas needing the most attention. To stay up to date on the Stage 2 O-Train Extension project, sign up for the project newsletter provided by OC Transpo at octranspo.com/o-trainx
Please note the next newsletter will be on Friday, April 25, 2025.
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