Downtown north core reconstruction a 'long time coming,' Thunder Bay business owner says

The revitalization of Thunder Bay's north core is a "long time coming," one area business owner said.

Work has begun on the second phase of the $13-million project, which will see Red River Road reconstructed from Cumberland Street West to Court Street. That work began about a week ago.

It builds on the first phase, which took place last summer and focussed on Court Streetfrom Lincoln Street to Red River Road.

"The construction downtown is definitely a long time coming," said Maelyn Hurley, owner of Goods and Co. Market, which is located at the corner of Court Street and Red River Roadin the former Eaton's building. "We've definitely needed it for many, many years."

The city is rebuilding the streets and sidewalks to makethe area more walkable and able to accommodate special events more easily; it is also replacing aging infrastructure beneath the road.

"All the existing servicing is 100-plus years old," said Brian Newman, project engineer with the City of Thunder Bay. "So we have to get into basements;we have to provide new sewer and water connections."

Pedestrians will still be able to access the area during the construction period, the city said, but some buses that run through the north core are being temporarily detoured.

Meanwhile, finishing touches are being put on Court Street, Newman said.

"Ityou drive down Court Street, it's business as usual," he said. "There's still some remaining work that the contractor'sdealing with."

That includes installing planters, traffic signals, street lights, bike racks, and street furniture, he said.

"Court Street, for example, is much narrower," Newman said. "The whole point of that is to try to get people to slow down obviously make it more walkable."

"You do park on the side streets, and then you walk," he said. "So there's a lot of programmable space. There's bike lanes, obviously, onCourt. ...There's also a lot of planters. There's a lot of seating. There's going to be eventually lots more streetfurniture."

Red River Road, Newman said, will have even more landscaping and streetscapingthanCourt Street.

"There's a ton of design elements that peoplehaven't seen yet," hesaid.

"So it's going to be pretty exciting when it's done."

Superior Morning9:27Brian Newman: North Core Reconstruction

The overhaul of Thunder Bay's north core is back in business, focusing on Red River Road this summer.To find out more, Superior Morning is joined by City of Thunder Bay's project engineer, Brian Newman.