North Bay downtown revitalization project inches closer to becoming reality
As part of the City of North Bay's Downtown and Waterfront Masterplan, work continues to start on a major Main Street rehabilitation project.
North Bay city staff have been eying a major downtown rehabilitation project for quite some time.
"So we've worked for a couple of years on design and rendering and consultation with the downtown prospers owners and tenants of the downtown," said Beverley Hillier, city manager of planning and building services.
The last major renovations to the street were completed almost 40 years ago. The reconstruction includes surface infrastructure such as curb and gutters, asphalt road paving, decorative concrete sidewalks and various other upgrades and would take place from Main Street between Cassells and Sherbrooke, as well as a section of Ferguson Street between Main and Oak.
"It's time. The bricks and sidewalks and what not are at the end of their useful life and it's time for some rehabilitation," said Hillier.
The downtown business community has been fully supportive of the project since its inception.
"We'll be able to have some more small events and some large events," said Michelle Trudeau, chair of Downtown North Bay and Waterfront.
"It's going to make the street scape safer and much improved."
The DIA successfully asked for a delay from city council in the spring, so the businesses could begin their financial recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic and they feared construction would interrupt that.
"It was a very good thing for us and I think it's really helped in our recovery from being shut down numerous times," Trudeau said.
The latest figures peg the construction at around $6.2 million.
The city is hosting a public open house on July 26 from 4:30-6:00 p.m. for a project update, a chance to view the preliminary designs and ask staff questions.
"It's been a priority of council. Council has really pushed this forward," said Hillier.
Construction is anticipated to start next spring with completion tentatively expected for fall 2024.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
BREAKING Ontario Provincial Police arrest 64 suspects in child sexual exploitation investigation
Ontario Provincial Police say 64 suspects are facing a combined 348 charges in connection with a series of child sexual exploitation investigations that spanned the province.
AstraZeneca says it will withdraw COVID-19 vaccine globally as demand dips
AstraZeneca said on Tuesday it had initiated the worldwide withdrawal of its COVID-19 vaccine due to a 'surplus of available updated vaccines' since the pandemic.
'Summer of discontent': Federal unions vow to fight new 3-day a week office mandate
Federal unions are launching legal challenges and encouraging public sector workers to file "tens of thousands" of grievances over the new mandate requiring federal workers to return to the office at least three days a week in the fall.
Toronto police seek suspect vehicle after security guard shot outside Drake's mansion
Toronto police are seeking help from the public as they continue to investigate a shooting that seriously injured a security guard outside rapper Drake's mansion.
'Ozempic babies': Reports of surprise pregnancies raise new questions about weight loss drugs
Numerous women have shared stories of 'Ozempic babies' on social media. But the joy some experience in discovering pregnancies may come with anxiety about the unknowns.
OPINION What King Charles' schedule being too 'full' to accommodate son suggests
Prince Harry, the Duke of Sussex, has made headlines with his recent arrival in the U.K., this time to celebrate all things Invictus. But upon the prince landing in the U.K., we have already had confirmation that King Charles III won't have time to see his youngest son during his brief visit.
Seafood, eat food: Calgary Stampede releases Midway menu
The Calgary Stampede has released its menu of sweet, salty and spicy treats available on the Midway for the Greatest Outdoor Show on Earth.
Boy Scouts of America is rebranding. Here's why they've changed their name
After more than a century, Boy Scouts of America is rebranding as Scouting America, another major shakeup for an organization that once proudly resisted change.
These snakes not only fake their own deaths, they use gory special effects to do it
Awards season may be over for human actors this year, but there’s no rest for some of nature’s most audacious thespians.