City receives additional funding for Central Avenue corridor

Thunder Bay - The city is now ready to open up the Central Avenue corridor for future development.

On Tuesday, the City of Thunder Bay received an additional $8.6 million through the province's Housing Core Services Stream.

In September of last year, the city received $10.4 million through the Housing Support Water Systems Fund to expand water, wastewater, and stormwater infrastructure.

Aaron Ward, the city's manager of engineering, said the total cost of the project is $30 million, but without the approximately $19 million from the province, "the city itself would not be able to unlock the potential of these lands."

Ward said, "This will provide full municipal services to the Central Avenue corridor lands, including groundwater, sanitary sewer, and storm sewer systems, as well as upgrades to existing roads."

"Many people may not realize this, but although there are water mains and running water in the area, the homes there are built on septic tanks. So, in the downtown area, there is no sanitary sewer. That's why the area is currently underdeveloped."

Ward added, "By introducing new services, including storm sewers and sanitary sewers, it unlocks the potential for the land to provide full municipal services."

The Central Avenue corridor project is also tied to the Housing Accelerator Fund program, through which the city hopes to add more than 1,260 new housing units.

Ward said, "We want to support all forms of development, from affordable housing to multi-unit rental housing."

The Central Avenue corridor consists of 60 acres of municipal land and an additional 40 acres of private land.

"The city will make our land available for private development. This funding also allows for the development of private land, whether through additional units or by making use of some of the vacant inland lots. There is potential for both public and private development," Ward said.

He said the Central Avenue corridor will also feature an active transportation system, including sidewalks and a trail system, filling the gap between the McIntyre River trail and the road network.

"A major highlight of the plan is the integration of active transportation and trail systems. It also includes funding for stormwater management. Over the past few years, the city has been working on integrating green infrastructure, so you'll see more than just roads and pipes," Ward said.

"There will be new stormwater treatment facilities, and hopefully rain gardens and green infrastructure along the boulevards as well."

The green space will also include the Central Avenue baseball diamonds, and Ward said, "By bringing residential development into the area, there is already an established park space there."

The baseball centre will remain in its current location.

The city will begin construction later this year, with building permits to be issued by the end of the year. The city expects the infrastructure to be completed by 2027, with road corridor improvements by 2028.

Source: https://www.tbnewswatch.com/local-news/city-receives-additional-funds-for-central-avenue-corridor-10145732