Business advocates hopeful for south core

The Fort William BIA chair says the city's core is a "city magnet" where people come for entertainment, food, and business.

Thunder Bay—Thunder Bay's Fort William Business Improvement Area (BIA) had a turbulent year in 2024, from delays in major revitalization plans (including the demolition of the Victoriaville Mall) to finding solutions for the homeless.

Aldo Ruberto, chair of the Fort William BIA, said one of the things they want to do is beautify and clean up the area and provide more security to show core businesses that "hey, we're trying."

The boundary expansion involves the area east of Victoria Avenue to May Street and west of Victoriaville to help expand membership for other businesses.

"Businesses leaving Victoriaville has been a setback for us, but as long as we make the place attractive and show people they'll get value for their money, then people will want to join," he said.

The BIA group ordered vinyl banners depicting the area's history and plans to host a concert-type event.

Ruberto said the problems they encountered distracted them from their plans, including spending $40,000 on cleanup, removing drug paraphernalia, and beautification.

"We've invested heavily in security, beautification, and strategies to elevate the area so we can attract more people," Ruberto said.

"The most important thing for an area to improve its economy is to create an attractive, walkable downtown, a centre where people feel comfortable. This year we'll focus on that, and then we'll start expanding our membership because we want to grow our boundaries."

"We've ordered flowers and new garbage bins. We're trying to add lighting and start a camera security program," Ruberto said.

"In addition to what the city has done, we have Junk Away cleaning the entire area three times a week, but it's still a challenge."

He added that the demolition of the Victoriaville Mall was delayed due to area revitalization, and the lack of businesses "doesn't help us."

"We need people in the downtown to help grow the economy, create business opportunities, provide vitality, safety, and security. It needs to thrive here. That's what a downtown is about—it has atmosphere," he said.

"We have people living here, but now we need people working here, and people are slowly returning to offices."

Inflation has also affected the BIA group, driving up wages, materials, and product costs. He noted that online shopping has caused many local businesses to "take a hit."

"Businesses have to reinvent themselves. They have to readjust. They have to figure out how to survive," he said. "They have to change or die."

Ruberto said the city's core is a "city magnet" where people come for entertainment, food, and business.

"That's our main goal and the main engine of our economy, and things should move in that direction," he said. "Unfortunately, I sometimes feel the city doesn't understand that some of their recent decisions, including parking, camping, and allowing tent strategies—and keeping people at home—work against us."

He said the city's overall revitalization plan is progressing well in the north core, but the city needs to consider "the whole package," including parking, traffic flow, and bus stop locations.

Ruberto said they are now waiting for the revitalization to arrive, which he calls "the rebirth of the area."

He noted that many buildings in the south end are for sale.

"It seems like a lot of out-of-town investors are saying, 'Wow, this is crazy. I can't do this in Toronto. I can't do this in Vancouver or Calgary either.' So they're starting to buy these buildings and starting renovations."

Ruberto remains optimistic and hopes the revitalization of Victoriaville will have a huge impact on the area. He said if businesses open in vacant buildings and people return to municipal and government offices, the Fort William BIA has huge potential.

Source: https://www.tbnewswatch.com/local-news/business-advocate-holds-out-hope-for-south-core-10093017