While the Town of Oliver is anticipating the reconstruction of Fairview Road near the post office this summer, at least one businessman isn’t.
David Badger from Medici’s Gelateria fears that the planned upgrade of Fairview Road from Main Street to Nicola Street will significantly impact his bottom line in July and August.
The Town of Oliver has awarded the contract to Mike Johnson Excavating Ltd. to reconstruct, upgrade and pave that portion of Fairview Road. The project includes constructing a new sidewalk, curb and storm drains on Spartan Street between Fairview Road and Rockcliffe Road.
There will be times that residents and businesses will not have vehicular access to their property from Fairview Road because of temporary shut- downs, but back alley access behind the properties will be available at all times.
During most of the project there will be access to businesses on the north side of Fairview Road; the west bound lane will be open with access to parking stalls.
Mike Johnson Excavating Ltd. will do its best to keep these interruptions as short as possible.
The south side properties of Fairview Road will be affected the most during construction, but will have back alley access for the duration of the project.
Construction is to begin this week, with paving slated to begin on August 19. Completion is expected near the end of August.
The Spartan Street portion of the project will not affect residences on the west side. Part of the road on the east side will be under construction.The Town is asking people to be patient during the upgrade project.
But Badger fears for Medici’s ability to survive this summer, noting their business will suffer.
He stated the Town did not communicate any of these plans to him prior to approving the project.
But another Oliver businessman has two words of advice for Medici’s this summer: “Good luck.”
Savvas Gavriilidis from Savvios Family Restaurant said the reconstruction of the lane behind his business last summer was a “nightmare.”
The chef said he received a letter in the mail regarding the sewer and water line replacement job, but didn’t realize the impact until the construction company started working.
Gavriilidis said his water was cut off and he never knew if or when he could open his doors for business. This resulted in a significant loss of revenue.
He said nobody talked to him about the project or seemed to care that he was losing business.
“I was going to close down and go to my lawyer.”
Gavriilidis said he understands that the old sewer/water lines needed replacing, but the timing was terrible – in the middle of summer, his busiest time of the year.
“People say why do I yell? That’s why I yell.”
The chef said the Town should schedule these construction projects in the spring or fall when they have little impact on business.
Oliver Mayor Ron Hovanes said they acknowledge there will be some interruptions during the Fairview Road project.
“The project has been on the books for many years and after passing our capital budget, attracting quality bids, this is the timeline.”
The mayor said the project plans to have less disruption on the north side of Fairview and they hope that customers can park or can still access local businesses.
“Yes it will bring some disruptions but we hope that the finished project will benefit the affected businesses and the community at large.”
Director of Operations Shawn Goodsell said the south side of the street is impacted more with limited access to the government building and post office by only the back alley.
He noted the north side will be affected by water shutoffs for a mainline that needs to be placed, and when the road base preparation and paving occur in August. “There will be some road closures when this work occurs.”
Goodsell said the South Okanagan Chamber of Commerce is working with the Town to keep businesses informed.
By Lyonel Doherty
