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17th Avenue S.W. restaurants coax back customers with block party during construction

The city is spending $44 million to replace underground utilities, replace sidewalks and remove utility poles along the 17th Avenue S.W., but the construction has impeded access to local businesses. So they're throwing a party to bring customers back.

The city is tearing up the busy retail strip as it upgrades utilities and replaces sidewalks

CBC News ·
Chef Justin Leboe, co-owner of Pigeonhole and Model Milk, says the block party will help keep customers coming back to 17th Avenue S.W. during the construction project. (Julie Van Rosendaal)

Businesses and restaurants affected by road closures on 17th Avenue S.W. are throwing a block party to let Calgarians know they are open for business.

The city is spending $44 million to replace underground utilities, replace sidewalks and remove utility poles along the busy retail strip.

Because the work is being done block by block and involves total closures of the roadway and sidewalks, business owners on 17th Avenue S.W. between 4th and 5th streets are throwing The Roadblock Party on Sunday to keep customers coming back during the construction.

"This basically started as a way for us to support each other and generate some viability while the road was being closed," Justin Leboe, executive chef and co-owner of Model Milk and Pigeonhole, told the Calgary Eyeopener.

Anju, Buttermilk Fine Waffles, Pigeonhole, Calcutta Cricket Club and Model Milk will serve up a taste of what each restaurant has to offer at Roadblock.

The street festival will feature free food, drink deals, live DJs and even a Mario Kart tournament.

The city is replacing underground utilities and sidewalks, and removing utility poles, along 17th Avenue S.W., closing down one block at a time to overhaul the Red Mile. (Monty Kruger/CBC)

Leboe said the city plans to run similar events and "back alley parties" to entice customers and encourage foot traffic as the construction moves west down 17th Avenue to 14th Street S.W. 

The construction project will replace and repair aging infrastructure, and the city has been working with businesses to maintain "marketing and viability" during the road closures, Leboe said.

"Everybody knows the road needs to be fixed, so we might as well get it out of the way and quickly as possible and do it as collectively as possible."

The Roadblock Party kicks off on Sunday and runs from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m.

With files from the Calgary Eyeopener

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