Fires, construction work and COVID-19: Why New Westminster's historic downtown needs a jump-start

Between the bridal shops, pubs and clubs that line historic Columbia Street in New Westminster sit a series of derelict buildings, boarded up windows and empty storefronts.

Mixed with the sound of traffic is the pounding of jackhammers as construction crews gobble up traffic and parking lanes to rehabilitate the city's sewers. Signs posted along the sidewalks assure those passing by that businesses are still open.

For those working behind the counter, the customers have been few and far between.

"People just don't come in most of the time," said Fey Martinez, manager at Fuel Supplements and Smoothie Bar, which has found success selling its products online during the pandemic. "The construction that's happening right now, it's affecting us more than the pandemic."

"We're trying our best to do what we can for our customers, but it's complicated," she added.

Local leaders and business owners say the historic downtown core is in need of a boost. Between the COVID-19 pandemic, ongoing construction, fires and a number of derelict buildings, critics say the character and charm of the neighbourhood is going to waste.

That's why city council recently passed a downtown recovery strategy, with the goal of rapidly supporting businesses, activating underused street space and revitalizing vacant or derelict buildings.