City of Edmonton, Municipal, Policy

Dear Mayor Knack, 

On behalf of our members, we are writing to urge you to continue your advocacy for business supports when major construction projects impact businesses across our city. In particular, our members have been telling us that the construction on Jasper Avenue is particularly obstructive and threatening many previously viable businesses.  

The Edmonton Chamber of Commerce has long valued your willingness to champion the interests of small business owners when major construction projects disrupt their livelihoods. We are writing today because that leadership is needed again, and because we believe the situation on Jasper Avenue presents an opportunity to move from case-by-case advocacy to a lasting policy solution that would benefit businesses across the city for years to come. 

Between 117 Street and 121 Street, businesses along Jasper Avenue are under significant strain. Members are reporting severely reduced visibility, obstructed customer and supplier access, and significant declines in foot traffic. One business recently shared a clear example of what they are facing: while pedestrian access remains “technically” available to 121 Jasper Liquor, vehicle access from Jasper Avenue into their plaza has been fully blocked in both directions, leaving customers unable to enter in a practical way. The business reports a noticeable decline in customer traffic and sales, noting that customers who drive often abandon the trip when routes are unclear or inconvenient.  

These impacts are compounded by unclear construction timelines and inconsistent on-the-ground communication. Several business owners have told us directly that they are unsure whether they will survive the duration of the project. Every week without support increases the risk that viable businesses will close permanently, taking jobs, tax revenue, and neighborhood vibrancy with them. 

This is not a new challenge for Edmonton, and we appreciate your consistent leadership on this file. During Valley Line West construction on Stony Plain Road, you publicly acknowledged that businesses felt blindsided by changes and pushed for better sequencing of disruptions to prevent multiple long-term closures from compounding at the same time. You reminded Council that small business owners are putting their life savings on the line and advanced the principle that when lengthy construction creates severe hardship, the City should explore tangible relief. That advocacy made a real difference, and the businesses on Jasper Avenue need that same voice now. 

Business impact mitigation must be treated as part of construction costs when the city undertakes future projects. Support for businesses should be part of the project budgets from the outset. Council should direct Administration to include funded mitigation measures, such as: 

• Clearly defined criteria for time‑limited relief measures when disruption is prolonged and demonstrably harmful; 

• customer wayfinding and “open for business” visibility supports; 

• coordinated access/loading plans that maintain customer and supplier access; and 

• targeted marketing/activation supports to offset lost foot traffic. 

We recognize the complexity of managing large-scale infrastructure projects, and we are not suggesting the City can eliminate all disruption. However, business impact should be treated as a foreseeable cost of construction, not an afterthought that struggled to get funding.  

We would welcome the opportunity to meet with your office to share what we’re hearing from Jasper Avenue businesses and to help build a consistent, transparent mitigation framework that aligns with your priorities for economic growth that puts people first. 

Sincerely, 

Doug Griffiths 

President and Chief Executive Officer
Edmonton Chamber of Commerce 

CC: Eddie Robar, City Manager, City of Edmonton 

Kim Petrin, Deputy City Manager, City of Edmonton 

Heather Thomson, Vice-President Economy & Engagement, Edmonton Chamber