Construction Downtown Affecting Businesses

PRINCE GEORGE – Construction of a condo development and upgrades to utility infrastructures near City Hall are affecting some downtown businesses. For several months, some of the streets in the downtown have been closed and has forced both foot and vehicle traffic away from those businesses. Caroline Longhurst is the owner and operator of Ohh Chocolat Cafe located just in the shadows of City Hall at the corner of 6th and George Street. According to Longhurst, the construction near her business started in April of this year and since then she noticed an impact her cafe and retail shop. With a drop in sales, a decision was made to temporarily close the cafe and retail doors. Across the road from Ohh Chocolat Cafe is Serengeti Northern BC they have also seen a decline in business. Ohh Chocolat will continue to operate out of its George Street location, the Mayor is disappointed they will have to close their walk-in doors. According to city hall, the construction involves a multitude of services underground and some of the infrastructures are close to 70 years old, which means upgrades. The city plans to meet with all those affect by the construction by the end of the week.