BANFF – The Town of Banff is spending $17,000 to boost communications with Bear Street businesses disgruntled about a lack of accurate information throughout the reconstruction project in 2020.
On Monday (March 22), council directed administration to increase the hours of the existing business liaison position from 15 hours to 35 hours a week and backfill that person’s current duties for 17 weeks from March 22 to July 19.
Town of Banff officials say additional hours would allow more contact with more Bear Street tenants, to answer questions, identify upcoming issues, and share project information
“Communication was one of the major concerns of the businesses based on the feedback we received,” said Mayor Karen Sorensen.
“This is definitely a response to those concerns, and the consistency of the person involved in this communication role is crucial.”
During a review of the $9.5 million redevelopment project on the 200 block of Bear Street earlier this month, many businesses voiced frustration and anger over what they saw as a lack of communication so far.
The biggest complaint seemed to centre on poor communication regarding the scope and impact of the project, including on business closures, and that information was often inaccurate.
Town officials say construction activity in 2021 is expected to be less complex and have a lower risk of unforeseen issues compared to 2020 construction work, because the underground utility replacement is complete.
However, they say construction of the roadbed and pavers is highly labour intensive and will cause significant disruption to Bear Street tenants. Disruption will generally involve one to two-day closures of the front doors of some businesses from April to June for road bed preparation, and four to five-day closures in May to July for installing concrete pavers.
Jason Darrah, director of communications for the Town of Banff, said he is "cautiously optimistic” that the accuracy of information will be better in 2021 because the work is less complex.
“As well, we will have longer lead times about the disruption to any business and services,” he said.
“That’s further supplemented by a stronger commitment for 48 hours in advance notice of any unforeseen changes to the schedule.”
Enhanced communications in 2021 includes providing a 10-day schedule of front-door access closures; notifying property owners and business tenants no less than 48 hours ahead of any unforeseen access closures not identified in the weekly notice; delivering a print notification each week to Bear Street businesses and services, in addition to the digital newsletter; inviting all Bear Street stakeholders to a weekly online project update meeting, in addition to the members of the stakeholder communications committee; and adding a monthly information and Q&A session in-person on Bear Street for stakeholders.
Councillor Chip Olver said increasing the business liaison officer’s hours is the best way forward for businesses on the street.
“We clearly heard their frustration and their needs at the last meeting and this addresses that,” she said.
Redevelopment of the 200 block of Bear Street, which has been on the books for 28 years, aims to turn the street into a growing tourist attraction and boost businesses.
Construction replaces aging water and sewer systems, adds planters, and a self-irrigation system for trees, new streetlights and a pedestrian-friendly "cobble-stone" street.
There will be no curbs or centre line, and the tile-slab surface aims to create an environment that envisions a better balance of the needs of pedestrians, cyclists, and low-speed motor vehicles.
