VANCOUVER (NEWS1130) – Six months worth of construction for sewer upgrades in Kitsilano has finally come to an end, and it hasn’t bankrupted businesses nearby.

The City of Vancouver thinks there is a lot that can be learned from this community.

Susan Braverman with the Kitsilano 4th Avenue Business Improvement Association says communication was key in letting everyone know that all businesses remained open during the upgrades.

“I know that businesses were impacted, some more than hours. It really depends on how much foot traffic your business relies on, foot traffic and driving,” she says.

She says a positive experience was maintained for customers and merchants during all of this, and the BIA started advertising heavily to attract people to the area.

“There was electrical and there was paving. Everyone kept the communication flow open at all times because we couldn’t just shut down the street point blank. It was done in sections and it was done in a way that the street at all times was open,” she says.

The construction has also wrapped up just in time for the Khatsahlano! festival this weekend.

Construction started in January and included:

  • 15 blocks of new separated storm and sanitary sewer mains
  • Three blocks of new water main and service connections
  • 18 blocks of road restoration and curb to curb paving
  • Sidewalk and curb rehabilitation, bus pads, and wheelchair ramps