Langley businesses are expressing concerns over the upcoming city center revitalization project expected to begin on January 2, 2025. The $18 million Fraser Highway One-Way Project will rejuvenate the area by improving pedestrian walkways, updating infrastructure, creating community spaces, and enhancing the landscaping. However, the project’s initial phase, affecting the stretch between Salt Lane and 206 Street, will result in limited parking and increased pedestrian access challenges due to a large fence set to be installed along the sidewalk.
Local business owners, such as David Stingl of Everything but Diamonds, have voiced worries about the potential negative impact on their shops, particularly regarding insufficient marketing efforts to inform the public that businesses will remain open during construction. Stingl emphasized the absence of adequate measures to mitigate the project’s impact on merchants, despite the significant budget allocation.
Randy Rennes, owner of Randy’s Game Shop, echoed these concerns, expressing unease about losing parking spaces, which are crucial for customer access. Both Stingl and Rennes believe more could be done to alert the public of the coming changes, such as installing signs about road and parking closures.
The City of Langley did not provide comments on these concerns before the publication deadline. Construction is anticipated to continue until the summer of 2025, prompting local authorities to encourage residents to support local businesses, especially during the Boxing Day shopping period.
