[URBAN NOTE] On the problems with the College Street beautification project

[rfmcdonald]

CBC News' Lisa Naccarato reports on how delays and obstacles related to an upgrading of the streetscape are harming the businesses on a street of College Street.

A beautification project that began this summer on a stretch of College Street has some business owners seeing red, saying the construction is making it difficult for customers to get into their stores.

The work began in July to replace sidewalks along College between Havelock and Shaw with interlocking bricks.

Metal fencing went up along the street and in front of businesses. The project has also been hampered by delays and it could be several months before it's completed.

"It's going to be beautiful, it's going to be wonderful, but it's impacting us much too harshly. How do we survive?" said Jill Rochon, the co-owner of Jill and the Beanstalk, a children's health food store and play space.

"There are so many stores including us that may not stay open after this. We could be closed within three months."