Latest news with #DutchVillageRoad
CBC
17-07-2025
- Business
- CBC
Overhaul of Halifax street comes at big cost to small businesses, says shop owner
The dust, debris and loud jackhammering that have become the new normal on Dutch Village Road in Halifax is costing small businesses in the neighbourhood, according to one store owner who has seen a dramatic drop in sales. Mohammad Ashiq, co-owner of Hello Pets, said financial support is needed to help businesses like his that are struggling because of the road construction project, which started in the spring and is expected to last until the end of the year. "What we're seeing is since April, our daily sales were starting to go down, and since July, that kind of was a bit more steep," Ashiq said in an interview. "We're seeing almost half of what we would normally see in a day." Ashiq said he's heard from several customers who've been avoiding the area — and his pet supplies shop — because it's too difficult to find parking with the ongoing construction. CBC News spoke with other businesses on the street that said they are also experiencing slumping sales. To encourage continued shopping, Ashiq is offering free delivery in Halifax and expanding his e-commerce platform. While it has helped the store keep afloat, Ashiq said he wishes more could be done from a government perspective. "A challenge like this scale is really difficult for us to navigate with the limited resources that we have," said Ashiq. "So any kind of support from the government would definitely be welcome and very helpful." City support would require legislative change Duncan Robertson, director of the Canadian Federation of Independent Business in Nova Scotia, said some jurisdictions, like Montreal and Calgary, offer construction mitigation funds to businesses. But he said implementing something similar in Nova Scotia would take extra steps. "Here in Nova Scotia, municipalities don't have the authority to provide direct financial support to small businesses. So we would need the province to get on board and make amendments to the Municipal [Government] Act," Robertson said in an interview. CBC News has asked the provincial Department of Municipal Affairs for comment. The federation released a report last year that found almost seven in 10 Canadian small businesses experienced "disruptions" due to construction projects over a five-year period. Among those, 40 per cent reported a decline in sales. The most common disruptions included issues with parking, increased traffic, dust, debris and noise. Robertson said aside from financial support, municipalities in Nova Scotia can help by communicating with businesses before construction projects begin. "The HRM [Halifax Regional Municipality], particularly, they deserve good credit. They have seen major improvements in communication and signage, et cetera. So they've done a good job at the non-financial side of construction mitigation," he said. The municipality told CBC News in a statement that while it does not provide compensation for construction-related impacts, "it remains committed to minimizing disruptions wherever possible and completing these essential projects safely and efficiently." Ashiq said he was given "ample notice" about the construction, but he did not expect it to be this disruptive. Among other things, the project involves adding a sidewalk, creating raised bike lanes and on-street parallel parking spaces, as well as streetscaping. "We knew that we would lose the parking spots on Dutch Village Road, but we weren't aware or sure that we would also lose the parking spot on the side streets," said Ashiq. He said that after sharing the challenges his business is facing on social media, many community members have responded with words of support and have started shopping at his store.
Yahoo
17-07-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Overhaul of Halifax street comes at big cost to small businesses, says shop owner
The dust, debris and loud jackhammering that have become the new normal on Dutch Village Road in Halifax is costing small businesses in the neighbourhood, according to one store owner who has seen a dramatic drop in sales. Mohammad Ashiq, co-owner of Hello Pets, said financial support is needed to help businesses like his that are struggling because of the road construction project, which started in the spring and is expected to last until the end of the year. "What we're seeing is since April, our daily sales were starting to go down, and since July, that kind of was a bit more steep," Ashiq said in an interview. "We're seeing almost half of what we would normally see in a day." Ashiq said he's heard from several customers who've been avoiding the area — and his pet supplies shop — because it's too difficult to find parking with the ongoing construction. CBC News spoke with other businesses on the street that said they are also experiencing slumping sales. To encourage continued shopping, Ashiq is offering free delivery in Halifax and expanding his e-commerce platform. While it has helped the store keep afloat, Ashiq said he wishes more could be done from a government perspective. "A challenge like this scale is really difficult for us to navigate with the limited resources that we have," said Ashiq. "So any kind of support from the government would definitely be welcome and very helpful." City support would require legislative change Duncan Robertson, director of the Canadian Federation of Independent Business in Nova Scotia, said some jurisdictions, like Montreal and Calgary, offer construction mitigation funds to businesses. But he said implementing something similar in Nova Scotia would take extra steps. "Here in Nova Scotia, municipalities don't have the authority to provide direct financial support to small businesses. So we would need the province to get on board and make amendments to the Municipal [Government] Act," Robertson said in an interview. CBC News has asked the provincial Department of Municipal Affairs for comment. The federation released a report last year that found almost seven in 10 Canadian small businesses experienced "disruptions" due to construction projects over a five-year period. Among those, 40 per cent reported a decline in sales. The most common disruptions included issues with parking, increased traffic, dust, debris and noise. Robertson said aside from financial support, municipalities in Nova Scotia can help by communicating with businesses before construction projects begin. "The HRM [Halifax Regional Municipality], particularly, they deserve good credit. They have seen major improvements in communication and signage, et cetera. So they've done a good job at the non-financial side of construction mitigation," he said. The municipality told CBC News in a statement that while it does not provide compensation for construction-related impacts, "it remains committed to minimizing disruptions wherever possible and completing these essential projects safely and efficiently." Ashiq said he was given "ample notice" about the construction, but he did not expect it to be this disruptive. Among other things, the project involves adding a sidewalk, creating raised bike lanes and on-street parallel parking spaces, as well as streetscaping. "We knew that we would lose the parking spots on Dutch Village Road, but we weren't aware or sure that we would also lose the parking spot on the side streets," said Ashiq. He said that after sharing the challenges his business is facing on social media, many community members have responded with words of support and have started shopping at his store. Ashiq said it shows the community is doing its best to help small businesses — now he's hopeful governments follow suit. MORE TOP STORIES
CTV News
14-07-2025
- Business
- CTV News
Halifax pet store says ongoing construction impacting business
Hello Pets says it has been negatively impacted by ongoing construction on Dutch Village Road. (Source: Facebook/Hello Pets) A Halifax pet store says the ongoing construction work on Dutch Village Road is severely impacting their business. Hello Pets, which is located at 3569 Dutch Village Rd., said in a Facebook post it has seen a significant drop in foot traffic since construction work started in April. 'Parking is very challenging, and even longtime customers have told us they weren't sure how to get to the store,' the post reads. 'Some have had to drive by without stopping because there was just no safe or easy way to get in. 'Our sales have dropped sharply, and as a small, independent business, it's been a real strain. We are doing our best to stay positive, but it's really tough.' Halifax council approved the Dutch Village Road Complete Streets Functional Plan in 2020, which is expected to aid raised protected cycle lanes on both sides of the street, additional pedestrian crossings, on-street parallel parking spaces, and a sidewalk. The current work is scheduled to be finished by December. More to come… For more Nova Scotia news, visit our dedicated provincial page
CTV News
07-07-2025
- Automotive
- CTV News
Construction work on Dutch Village Road to cause traffic delays in Halifax this summer
The long-planned construction work on Dutch Village Road in Halifax is fully underway this summer, which means drivers can expect delays and detours in the coming months. The Dutch Village Road Complete Streets Functional Plan, which received Halifax council approval in June 2020, seeks to improve safety and address transit gaps in the area. Work officially started in April and it is expected to last until December. Crews are working on the section of road between Bayers Road and Supreme Court from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. on weekdays, which will cause lane reductions, stop-and-go traffic and temporary closures of side streets. From now until Aug. 22, crews will also be working around the clock on the portion of Dutch Village Road between Joseph Howe Drive and Alma Crescent. Due to that work, the road will be closed to southbound traffic between Supreme Court and Bayers Road. The intersections on the west side of Dutch Village Road will also be closed between Supreme and Bayers. Pedestrians will still be able to access the area. Dutch Village Road Construction Construction on Dutch Village Road is expected to last until December 2025. (Source: Emma Convey/CTV News Atlantic) Public transit will also be impacted by the work this summer. Inbound routes 28 and 137 will be detoured via Alex Street, Main Avenue and Titus Street to Dutch Village Road. The outbound routes will be detoured via Alma Crescent, Main Avenue and Alex Street to Rosedale Avenue. The construction work includes: a sidewalk on the west side of Dutch Village Road raised protected cycle lanes on both sides of the street additional pedestrian crossings improved connections to the Chain of Lakes Trail new accessible concrete bus stop pads on-street parallel parking spaces benches, trees, planters, waste receptacles and pocket parks In 2014, Halifax council identified Dutch Village Road in its Active Transportation Priorities Plan. Its final review and design were completed last year. Dutch Village Road Construction on Dutch Village Road in Halifax. (Source: Emma Convey/CTV News Atlantic) For more Nova Scotia news, visit our dedicated provincial page
