Katie Hagerman’s plans for a successful summer at Uncle Gino’s Pizzeria in downtown Sault Ste. Marie, Ont., have been disrupted by ongoing construction on East Street near Queen Street. The construction has led to intermittent closures of sections of East Street and an indefinite closure of Queen Street at the intersection, making it difficult for customers to access the pizzeria. Hagerman expressed the challenges of directing customers to the shop and noted the absence of a patio due to the construction activities.
The intersection of Queen and East Streets hosts several businesses, including Uncle Gino’s Pizzeria, The Mystery restaurant, Sault Ste. Marie Museum, a bar, and a laundromat. The Mystery restaurant has reported a significant decrease in customer traffic during construction, with only a few customers visiting on some days. Despite not responding to inquiries, Hagerman empathized with her neighboring businesses, particularly The Mystery, understanding the financial strain they may be experiencing.
The construction work on East Street, which began in May, involves replacing aging storm sewers, sanitary sewers, and a water main. City officials have not provided an estimated completion date due to unexpected challenges, such as the discovery of substantial bedrock slowing down excavation work. Maggie McAuley, the city’s manager of design and transportation engineering, mentioned efforts to collaborate with the contractor to manage the project timeline effectively.
Hagerman expressed concerns about the long-term sustainability of Uncle Gino’s Pizzeria after enduring four months of construction disruptions. Amid these challenges, the city has taken steps to support affected businesses by enhancing online marketing efforts and installing clear signage to guide customers to accessible entrances. Tessa Vecchio, the city’s manager of communications, highlighted the importance of keeping businesses informed and acknowledged the inconvenience caused by the construction activities.
McAuley assured that construction crews have been instructed to allow local traffic on blocks where work is not actively taking place, gradually closing off sections as the project progresses. Despite the ongoing disruptions, the city aims to minimize inconveniences for businesses and residents in the area.