Big plans for city landmark
Tb News Source | Web Posted: 1/11/2007 3:58:03 PM
Some major redevelopment plans are in the works for a Thunder Bay landmark. After being owned for over 60 years by the city's Colosimo family, the Uncle Frank's Supper Club property on Highway 61 has been sold and the new owner has a wide-ranging, three phase plan to transform it.
The new owner, Sioux Lookout businessman Dick Davidson, completed arrangements to acquire the property in mid-December. Davidson says he's hoping to create a 'Village mall' type concept on the 40-acre plot of land that would provide a range of services for the large residential population in the area, as well as others using the Highway 61 route.
In the first phase, he hopes to re-develop the restaurant and add an upscale grocery outlet, a banking centre and a coffee-sandwich shop operation. Additional phases would concentrate on more retail space and eventually, a hotel/waterpark complex. He estimates total development costs at over $12-million.
Davidson says the key hurdle initially will be obtaining a highway/commercial rezoning for the 850 feet of frontage on the property, something he hopes to apply for this spring. If all goes well, construction could proceed as early as this summer. In the meantime , Davidson says he will continue to consult with neighbors in the area and look for possible partners to join in the project.
Sounds interesting. It will complement the hockey centre and hotel/convention centre already in downtown Neebing.
(Downtown Neebing and Downtown Shuniah are both in Thunder Bay, because we ate them.)