Walking around Pioneer Avenue this week was somewhat of an adventure, we'll agree. But it was not difficult.
Flaggers were standing by to direct foot traffic, while cones, signs and ramps helped pedestrians navigate the construction chaos that filled the normally quiet street.
Correction: Normally, very quiet street.
Driving, however, presented more of a challenge, with alternating one-way traffic and extremely limited parking. Despite five free parking lots located along Pioneer, it took a bit of patience to find a parking stall. Some people even reported receiving tickets for parking longer than their allowed stay.
Well, that's a big city problem Agassiz should be happy to have. It means there are people downtown. Working people, with money in their pockets to spend at shops.
It's taken for granted that there is always a place to park right outside the store. But just like in the city, there are going to be times people have to walk a block or two to get where they're going.
This can also only be a good thing. Agassiz has a beautiful downtown, with plenty of places to shop and eat. But if the drug store's customer, for example, only ever parks directly in front of the drug store, how will that customer ever discover the hairstylist down the street, or the home decor shop just up the way?
The way we see it, taking a few extra minutes to get to the corner store isn't always a bad thing.
As we reported this week, estimates are that the production company will leave about $1 million in the community between now and February. Some of that will go to the District directly, some to inconvenienced businesses, and even more through much-needed income to local workers.
It won't always be an adventure downtown. By next week, a lot of the set structure will be taken down until next time.
Let's enjoy it while we can.