Northern Ontario developments!

[tjernobyl]

Vacant buildings incur a lower tax rate than occupied ones. Would it be possible or desirable for the City to increase the vacant tax rate in the CBDs to discourage long-term vacancy?

[TbayON]

Originally Posted by tjernobyl

Vacant buildings incur a lower tax rate than occupied ones. Would it be possible or desirable for the City to increase the vacant tax rate in the CBDs to discourage long-term vacancy?

That is a hard question to answer, because its probably a double edged sword in terms of getting the places rented, but still allowing the owner to retain and maintain the building. If we were going to do that, I think it would have to involve a rebate program. The city should collect the normal tax rate (or inflated if we want to go that far) while the place sits vacant. Once a tenant is found and is retained for a certain period of time, the city could rebate a portion of the building owner's taxes for the duration of the vacancy. This would generate an incentive for landlords to get their buildings rented or leased out. It would cost the city a little more in the short term (administrative costs associated with running the rebate program), but it could prove successful. It would also have to extend across the entire city, not just the CBDs, to keep the playing field even.

[vid]

Commercial properties in BIA areas pay an extra BIA tax of 0.3%. They could simply set that so that a vacant storefront contributes more money (0.6%) to the BIA in exchange for depriving the neighbourhood of a business.

Although, we're dealing with millionaires who know how to milk a system in their favour so I don't think a tax increase will change much. It takes too long for the city to seize a property for unpaid taxes.

[TbayON]

A member of Opportunity Thunder Bay has posted on that site that a local restaurant-watcher has confirmed a Tony Roma's is coming to Thunder Bay. Supposedly all that remains to be done is a signature on the dotted line. The location, if true, is the former Swiss Chalet location on Memorial Ave., next to Hortons and hear the Harbour Expressway. I have seen a little bit of work going on inside that building myself, but nothing outside yet. Usually Tony Roma's are stand-alone buildings too. I am going to wait and see what happens for myself before I believe it for sure. Thought I would post it anyways and see if anyone else has heard anything.

[Loco101]

Just thought I'd ask some questions to get some discussion going about Northern Ontario as a whole.


1. Which Northern Ontario cities and towns do you think are doing the best and worst economically?

2. Which Northern Ontario cities and towns are the most and least attractive in appearance?

3. Which Northern Ontario cities and towns are the most and least affordable to live in?

4. What in your opinion are the top 5 natural tourist attractions in Northern Ontario?

5. What in your opinion are the top 5 non-natural tourist attractions in Northern Ontario?

[TbayON]

Originally Posted by Loco101

1. Which Northern Ontario cities and towns do you think are doing the best and worst economically?

Best city right now (by labour force numbers) is probably Thunder Bay. Thunder Bay has gained 5500 jobs according to Statscan over the last year up until June. Sudbury is actually performing quite poorly this year. Statscan doesn't provide numbers for the Sault, Timmins, or North Bay that I could find easily. Most small communities are struggling. Dryden, Schreiber and White River have major budget troubles right now. Greenstone has lost pretty well all its industry. Fort Frances is hurting with the idling of the pulp mill. Terrace Bay is one bright spot on the map as far as small towns go.

Originally Posted by Loco101

2. Which Northern Ontario cities and towns are the most and least attractive in appearance?

Hard to say because I haven't visited all of them. I would have to say Kenora is probably near the top in terms of attractiveness. Most of the north shore communities clean up well in terms of natural beauty, not necessarily the towns themselves. I find Greenstone to be rather bland. I was never very impressed with Beardmore or White River either (sorry Winnie the Pooh).

Originally Posted by Loco101

3. Which Northern Ontario cities and towns are the most and least affordable to live in?

The smaller the town, the more affordable, good luck finding a job though. Big cities, well less affordable.

Originally Posted by Loco101

4. What in your opinion are the top 5 natural tourist attractions in Northern Ontario?

Lake of the Woods
Lake Superior
Fishing lakes
Canadian Shield
Game hunting

Originally Posted by Loco101

5. What in your opinion are the top 5 non-natural tourist attractions in Northern Ontario?

Science North
Fort William Historical Park
Sudbury Mine Tours
Kenora-Lake of the Woods set-up
Hunting/Fishing resorts

Prince Arthur's Landing in Thunder Bay may eventually make this list, but its not quite there yet. Shopping trips to major Northern Ontario centres by small town Northern Ontario folk is probably number 1 or number 2 on this list actually since these people are often counted in tourist numbers, but I thought I would leave that out since we probably don't really think of them as tourists.

[thewave46]

Originally Posted by Loco101

Just thought I'd ask some questions to get some discussion going about Northern Ontario as a whole.


1. Which Northern Ontario cities and towns do you think are doing the best and worst economically?

2. Which Northern Ontario cities and towns are the most and least attractive in appearance?

3. Which Northern Ontario cities and towns are the most and least affordable to live in?

4. What in your opinion are the top 5 natural tourist attractions in Northern Ontario?

5. What in your opinion are the top 5 non-natural tourist attractions in Northern Ontario?

1. I'll classify it into better and worse:

Better - most of the larger centers, with Thunder Bay probably in the lead. The industries that the cities in Northeastern Ontario rely on are doing well, such as steel, gold and nickel mining (Sault Ste. Marie, Timmins and Sudbury respectively), along with favorable government attention such as investments into hospitals, universities and highways. Odd places like Cochrane (due to Detour Gold) and Kirkland Lake (again, gold) are also doing better.

Worse - Any place that has (or had) an industry based on forestry or pulp and paper. Places like Smooth Rock Falls, Longlac, White River, Dryden, Kapuskasing (aside: where Agrium just shuttered its phosphate mine this June), Hearst and most places along the Superior shoreline.

2. Most attractive of the cities (personal opinion only): North Bay and Thunder Bay.

Least attractive: Sudbury (has its little gems, but still needs a fair bit of work, especially on mining company lands) and Timmins, along with most of the small towns that usually were conceived as company towns and given very little aesthetic consideration.

The Sault I haven't been to in such a long time, so I can't say either way.

3. Least affordable: tie between Sudbury and North Bay. North Bay used to hold the lead, but the rate of inflation in housing prices in Sudbury has been notable in the past few years. Timmins is catching up too. Again, not too sure about the Sault.

Most affordable: Thunder Bay still seems relatively affordable. The small towns are cheap (easy to find a home for less than $100k in Kap) but there's a reason for that.

4. and 5. have been covered well already.

[vid]

Thunder Bay is affordable compared to the rest of the country, but compared to Thunder Bay 5 years ago, it's not cheap anymore. The number of buildings being renovated right now is impressive, including buildings that have been abandoned for years.

[TbayON]

Originally Posted by vid

Thunder Bay is affordable compared to the rest of the country, but compared to Thunder Bay 5 years ago, it's not cheap anymore. The number of buildings being renovated right now is impressive, including buildings that have been abandoned for years.

A lot of people are saying Thunder Bay is way overheated right now in terms of housing prices, and a crash is inevitable. New home prices here are above those in southern Ontario communities, even in some of the areas around T.O. Undoubtedly, the increases in home prices of 10%-15% annually will come to an end eventually. I think what people are forgetting though is that Thunder Bay has decided more less to be a western Canadian city at this point in time. We usually sit on the fence, but the boom of western Canada has made us steer away from the east. As a result, our housing prices are actually undergoing a correction to reflect national prices, especially western Canadian prices. The same run-up in prices occurred in Winnipeg a few years back, following a trend started further west. It has made its way east to Thunder Bay now. I have family in a smaller centre in Saskatchewan, and their housing prices are higher than Thunder Bay. Unlike Thunder Bay though, there economically is really not much at all going on in that centre. So its not as out of control here as people think. It is partly the bidding wars making things seem worse than they are.

=======

The city has put a tender out seeking a consultant to perform a study on potential uses for the Royal Eddie. It closes in a few weeks I think.

[vid]

I can't recall if it was posted here, but I overhead the other day that the building Newfie's Pub is in has been purchased by lawyers and will become a law office soon.

Not sure what is to become of the pub itself. This is its third location.

[Beedok]

So, apparently new stop signs are being added to Bay street in TBay. Or something. Whatever it is the city felt like sending out notices to people who live like 2 kms away.

[ADLS]

The Marriott suites hotel is supposed to open in October (according to their website). The Delta hotel website states that the Delta in Thunder Bay will be open in 2015 - up to 1 year behind the condos. I drove by yesterday and noticed that the footings and foundation were still not in for the hotel part and there seemed to be water problems (I saw a few water pumps on site). Hopefully it's not serious and they can move ahead swiftly.

Further to vid's comment, the construction 'boom' appears to be city-wide. A few places in Current River also undergoing renovations, etc.

[TbayON]

Originally Posted by Beedok

So, apparently new stop signs are being added to Bay street in TBay. Or something. Whatever it is the city felt like sending out notices to people who live like 2 kms away.

Its what the city should be doing. They haven't always been the best at informing people of changes, and it would come back to bite the city in the ass. Anyways, there was also lots of 'controversy' about adding the bike lanes in this area and changing traffic flows. A lot of people with nothing better to do with their time and nothing better to bitch about made a bunch of noise about changing stop signs around and adding the bike lanes. I am guessing the city is doing their best to keep all parties happy, which includes notifying a wide geographic area.

Originally Posted by ADLS

The Marriott suites hotel is supposed to open in October (according to their website). The Delta hotel website states that the Delta in Thunder Bay will be open in 2015 - up to 1 year behind the condos. I drove by yesterday and noticed that the footings and foundation were still not in for the hotel part and there seemed to be water problems (I saw a few water pumps on site). Hopefully it's not serious and they can move ahead swiftly.

The developers of the Marriott want it open tomorrow, never mind in October. Supposedly something is already being planned for September in terms of ribbon cutting or something like that. There is still a ton of work to do in the place, and it ain't gunna happen.

There was issues with the foundation at the waterfront development. Some kind of solution must have been found because construction on the condo portion on ongoing.

[vid]

Originally Posted by Beedok

So, apparently new stop signs are being added to Bay street in TBay. Or something. Whatever it is the city felt like sending out notices to people who live like 2 kms away.

They've converting Bay into the higher order street in the area for two reasons: To function as part of the city's active transportation network, and to reduce speeding on the side streets in Maraday Park. People opposed it because the city promoted it from the active transport point-of-view instead of the safety point-of-view. Even though I enjoy going down those hills at well over the speed limit on my bike, I agree that this realignment is needed. Rockwood also needs an all-way stop at Windsor to limit the speeding.

People opposed it because they think a street that stops every second block instead of a street that stops every single block will increase the risk to their kids, totally forgetting that every single one of them lives on a street that is getting more stop signs, which will reduce speeds and keep their kids safer. What's even sadder is that this is a neighbourhood where many local business owners live; people that one would assume would be intelligent!

A good idea and well implemented, but introduced improperly. Off the top of my head, we also need four-way stops along McKenzie at Finlayson and Ogden.

[TbayON]

There is still a lot of people in this city that think bike lanes have no place in society too. The "roads are only for cars" mentality if you will. Of course, that idea is totally flawed, its not like cyclists don't pay taxes and contribute. That played a role in the debate too, but to a lesser degree than the 'safety for our kids' complaint. I think the city has made quite a few questionable bike lanes around town in terms of their design and markings on the roadway, but I agree this is a good one. Can't argue with the fact that it will take its users down and back from one of the best views in the city (Hillcrest Park!)

======

The P.R. billboard and construction fencing have been erected at the James St. fire hall, in preparation for reno's and the addition of an EMS satellite station. North Neebing Rec Ctr. is also currently undergoing reno's to accommodate the firefighters and apparatus being displaced during the reconstruction of the Neebing Station on 20th sideroad. As for the new hall to go in on Neebing Ave., I haven't been by there in a while. Last I saw, the land was just being cleared.

[TbayON]

A few photo updates from today...

Finished exterior of the new Target store at Intercity. Tried to get a shot last time I posted pictures, but the ones I got of Target all turned out blurry for some reason. The interior is no more inspiring than the exterior. In fact, the one time I went inside, I found the store so disorienting I probably won't go back much. I don't get lost easily either.


Structure for Party City is up at the Thunder Centre.


The Marriott Towneplace continues to come together on the exterior. Still lots of drywall and finishing work to be completed inside, in addition to landscaping and parking lot construction.


Holiday Inn beginning to rise up out of its foundation. ICF construction on all 3 stories, so it should go up pretty fast.




Don't remember seeing it posted here, but a new store is supposed to take the place of Stupid Pet by the Intercity Wal-Mart. The 'Atmosphere' sign has been up all summer, but I haven't seen much happen yet.


=====

I also forgot to mention that Perozak's Welding is building a new shop on Twin City Crossroad, next to Gordon Trailer Sales. I haven't been by to see to see the size of building that is being put up yet.

[F. Lionel]

It's been a long time since I posted on here but I'm back in the city for 24 hours and wanted to post just a few thoughts about what I've seen in my short stay:

-It's past time to extend the 4 laning of Dawson Road out as far as Dog Lake Road... at least 4 lanes as far as 5 Mile School. Being stuck in a string of cars behind someone insisting on going under the speed limit I watched more than a few people take stupid risks in order to get past.
-Seeing the empty spot where Beaver Lumber used to sit at County Fair was oddly exciting. As was all the wooden hoarding up on the mall itself, not to mention the signs proclaiming the arrival of No Frills and Dollarama. My MIL is excited about being able to "hit up the Dollarama there rather than have to run down to Intercity when I need cheap crap." (her exact words)
-The two new hotels at Intercity, along with the new TD, the construction at the Thunder Centre and Target have (for me at least) changed the feeling of the area from north-south streets linking two centres, to an actual shopping and service district. Throw up some high-density residential structures in the area and it will be an honest-to-god neighbourhood.
-4 lanes on Golf Links did not happen fast enough. So happy to see it finally under construction.
-The development around the hospital is very nice with the offices and the condo at the country club... remembering back to a time before River Terrace when it was swamps and small farms. I heard a rumour about Maltese opening a second location in the old Quality Market at College Heights (is that what the area is to be called? I forget...) Has the fight over the southern extension of River Terrace been solved? If it has been solved in the developers favour (an assumption) it will be nice to see that development finally come to completion. I suppose the next expansion would be across Golf Links on the other side of the power lines. It's odd (to me at least) that the commercial development near the corner still sits empty and undeveloped. I figured that a corner store (Macs) would have arrived there by this point given the local population growth.
-There are definitely not too many traffic lights in this city as compared to, say, a similar sized portion of Winnipeg... although some of them should transition to flashing yellow lights between 11pm and 7am. And some of them should be replaced with button activated pedestrian crossings (I'm looking at you Lights at PACI)
-PACI looks good in its new life as an extension of LU but they need to do something about the gymnasium because it looks tired in comparison to the school.
-There were so many pedestrians downtown on a Sunday Night after dark! The Sovereign Room, the Foundry, Marina Park... the saddest thing I saw was the over the front of McNulty's. Any rumours about that I missed?
-Glad that the Lyceum should be able to be saved. It would be a coup if they could restore it to a theatre/stage but I would be completely happy with some storefronts and offices above. Too much heritage has been lost from the cores as it is. Vey glad to see that appetite for destruction has finally fallen away.
-Infill higher density residential construction would be very nice to see along south court street in order to deal with the creeping slum blight. A restored Royalton as a boutique hotel would be (I think) a coup given the right conditions along Bay Street and in the PA core, which seem to be developing slowly on their own.
-The active transportation marks on the roads are no different from any other city I've now visited and lived in. I'm not going to talk about specifics on the network but it looks to be implemented here the same as everywhere else... but its just the attitude here seems more ignorant by comparison.
-The vibe from everyone I've spoken to seems to be of cautious optimism regarding their futures here. I'm actually excited to move back here.

[ccnews]

Originally Posted by TbayON

As for the new hall to go in on Neebing Ave., I haven't been by there in a while. Last I saw, the land was just being cleared.

the land is cleared and stakes are in the ground, there is also a picture of the fire hall..........I really should learn to take pictures

the lots that were cleared just to the North of the site (along Neebing Ave.) are half sold http://goo.gl/maps/fJwLz

[Beedok]

I saw a reasonably tall steel structure somewhere out by Lakehead. I was near Intercity at the time, so I'm not sure where it was exactly. Probably the new building by the hospital right?

[TbayON]

Originally Posted by F. Lionel

It's been a long time since I posted on here but I'm back in the city for 24 hours and wanted to post just a few thoughts about what I've seen in my short stay:

-I can't see Dawson Rd. being expanded anytime soon to four lanes along that stretch anytime soon. While slow drivers may hold things up, traffic still flows pretty well generally. There are far more pressing infrastructure needs around that just have to be put ahead of that stretch. The province probably won't pay for it, and the city probably doesn't want to pay for it because its long haul traffic that is tearing the shit out of that road, not so much local traffic.
-I haven't heard anything about Maltese opening at College Heights. That would be a huge move for them. Maltese was looking at expanding their current store about a year or so ago, but that seems to have fallen by the wayside for the time being. Perhaps your rumour explains this. I believe the conflict over the southern portion of River Terrace is solved. Apparently a road is being built at this point in time actually. I just heard that recently. I think once the new condos at the TBCC get up as well as the building at the hospital and the FW Clinic, some more commercial might start moving in that area.

Originally Posted by Beedok

I saw a reasonably tall steel structure somewhere out by Lakehead. I was near Intercity at the time, so I'm not sure where it was exactly. Probably the new building by the hospital right?

That would be the new Health Services building at the hospital. Its visible from quite a wide geographic area in the city being built on the hillside (former Lake Superior shoreline actually) that Oliver Rd parallels. It was built in a location that is going to give some pretty spectacular views of Fort William, and the Slate River Valley. The Fort William Clinic 3-storey around the corner is actually built sidewise. The same view can only be seen from a couple patient waiting rooms, instead of the entire building. The architect should have turned the building 90 degrees to face south. I can't believe they didn't do this. Really pretty stupid if you ask me, but that is engineers and architects for you. Can't ask too much of them.