Construction on Sandwich Street causing disruption to local businesses, but big change is coming

Business owners on Sandwich Street want you to know: they're still open despite the construction.

Construction on the west end Windsor street stretches from Ojibway Parkway all the way to the Rosedale Avenue roundabout, which is forcing drivers heading toward the business district to take a detour.

The road work is part of the Gordie Howe International Bridge project and it's expected to continue for months.

One of the businesses affected is Rock Bottom Bar and Grill. Owner Nicole Sekela says business has been quieter than usual this summer.

"It's very dusty and noisy. And the sad thing is, we're not able to open up our big garage doors in the front of the building, which we're known for," she said, as the construction has been kicking up a ton of dust.

"It's very, very dirty and messy. Everybody that walks through the door has dust on their shoes."

Despite the noise and inconvenience, she says there are still people who go out of their way to visit Rock Bottom. 

Stephen Hargreaves, director of the Sandwich Town BIA, says the community is a beloved destination that many are still finding their way to, but it's been difficult for some customers, including those with mobility issues, for example. At the same time, he said, there's been a big hit to the bottom line of businesses.

"(For) the most part we've been doing all right. But we do need everyone to recognize the importance of supporting our businesses in this time because it's a vibrant community that needs every bit of support that we can get."

He wants the city to do a better job of explaining that the area is not inaccessible during construction.

Hargreaves expects the BIA district to be fully reopened by the end of next month, though the full completion will take longer.

The project will see three kilometres of Sandwich Street redeveloped by Bridging North America, the consortium building the Gordie Howe bridge.

The current phase of the project includes laying new asphalt and sidewalks, bike lanes and "enhanced streetscaping" within the BIA district.

Hargreaves says the neighbourhood is entering a new era, but one that upholds the historic character of the community.

"Sandwich Town hasn't seen a revitalization like this in more than 125 years," he said. 

Old streetcar tracks from the Sandwich, Windsor, and Amherstburg Railway Company unearthed during the construction will be preserved in the crosswalks, he says.

Embracing the name

Despite the construction, Hargreaves says there's exciting things happening around the neighbourhood, including a market at Mary E. Bibb park featuring jazz bands on Aug. 18.

 Restaurants are also participating in a festival called Sandwiches of Sandwich that starts Monday.

"Sounds a bit on the nose, but it's a passport that you can get from any participating restaurant and you'll be able to travel around 10 different restaurants inside of Sandwich Town (and buy a sandwich)," Hargreaves said.

Sekela already knows what she's going to serve at Rock Bottom as part of the event.

"We decided we're going to do a beef dip sandwich. We slow roast our beef, sear it, slice it thin and serve it with some jus."