Northern Ontario developments!

[wave46]

Originally Posted by swimmer_spe

If they were smart, they would build a road along the ROW and then they could quickly open the Ring of Fire sooner. The Ring of Fire could the next Sudbury or Fort Mac...

I'm skeptical about the Ring of Fire. If there was that much profit potential in the area, companies would find a way to make it work, like the diamond mines in the Northwest Territories.

But as Cliffs Natural Resources sold their stakes for pennies on the dollar and everyone involved is crying for a billion dollar road (or rail) subsidized by the taxpayer, I'm not sure that it is even potentially profitable.

As for construction of a permanent settlement - no way. Any operation there will be a set-up, mine, and then shut down type of thing, with workers shuttling in and out. They don't even want to process the stuff there. Most companies don't want the hassle of trying to set up a company town that will die as soon as the mine is finished. Look at places like Lynn Lake, MB to get my gist. It's just cheaper to transport people in and out to the nearest major towns/cities.

[TbayON]

I don't think its a case of whether its economical to develop or not, its more a case that no one company wants to be the guinea pig. The first guy in is going to learn a lot of lessons the hard way, and any company the subsequently moves in will learn from what happened and adjust their business plan accordingly. Learning the hard way often costs a lot of time and money.... planning ahead based on precedence and other's experiences can save a lot in the long run.

Cliffs left partly because of an overall decline in commodity prices; the company was hemorrhaging money across the board. Exploration and development budgets are the easiest to slash to save money in a hurry. I don't think Cliffs, as an American company with predominantly U.S. operations, knew what they were getting into as far as dealing with the Ontario gov't and First Nations goes either.

As far as the infrastructure goes, Ontarians should 'own' that part of the development. If the roads/rails/power etc. infrastructure is privately built, the private owners do not necessarily have to allow public use. In other words, area First Nations could remain with only air access. This would essentially 'cancel' much of the social license for resource extraction in the area, and scuttle the project. In the long run, the companies operating in the area would pay for the infrastructure through taxes levied on their operations anyways. As taxpayers, we would have to hope the gov't would complete an informed cost-benefit analysis, and decide whether or not the proposed project is a wise investment for the people of Ontario.

There will likely be no new town site created for the Ring of Fire. The best option is to employ as many area First Nations people as possible that are willing and able to work at the mine site. They are accustomed to the climate and the remoteness of the area, and could definitely use the income. Resource extraction as a means of community stability has been questionable at best, so why develop a town site reliant on a single industry that could easily falter with a fall in commodity prices or upon closure of the mine.

My two cents worth...

[TbayON]

L.U. has received about $10 million from government to renovate the former forestry research building (next to the library). Most of the money is coming from the federal government. The building will be used for science and engineering research chairs once renovation are complete. L.U. will be kicking in about $9 million from internal sources for a project total of about $18 million.

This is the first significant funding L.U. has received in some time now.

[swimmer_spe]

Originally Posted by TbayON

L.U. has received about $10 million from government to renovate the former forestry research building (next to the library). Most of the money is coming from the federal government. The building will be used for science and engineering research chairs once renovation are complete. L.U. will be kicking in about $9 million from internal sources for a project total of about $18 million.

This is the first significant funding L.U. has received in some time now.

Lakehead University or Laurentian University?

[ccnews]

Originally Posted by swimmer_spe

Lakehead University or Laurentian University?

Lakehead University

[TbayON]

THUNDER BAY

Hearing that the proposed new East Side Mario's for Thunder Bay would be built in front of the Superstore at the Harbour Expressway and Carrick St. I believe it will be developed as a franchise restaurant, and that a franchisee still has to be found. An Outback Steakhouse was rumoured for the same site a year or two ago, but nothing materialized.

The Salvation Army is going before council tonight seeking funding for construction of a new shelter. The new shelter would replace the existing location on Cumberland St. Apparently $5.7 million of the $10 million total price tag is already in place. Not sure how much the Salvation Army is going to request from the city.

[ADLS]

Some preliminary design images of the new Thunder Bay Art Gallery on the waterfront on the www.Patkau.ca website (they are the architects). Simply stunning!!

http://www.patkau.ca/ Look under projects

[TbayON]

Originally Posted by ADLS

Some preliminary design images of the new Thunder Bay Art Gallery on the waterfront on the www.Patkau.ca website (they are the architects). Simply stunning!!

http://www.patkau.ca/ Look under projects

Will definitely be the most original building in Thunder Bay if constructed as per the preliminary drawings. A huge step forwards for this city in terms of challenging what I guess one could call conventional architecture.

Two concerns though: 1. As drawn, that ain't going to be cheap! Expect budget overruns if this goes ahead, and push back from do nothing/spend nothing crowd in the city 2. its a cold design based on the exterior... only utilizes concrete and metal from what I see. Use of stone and wood would definitely 'warm' the building up, while also giving it a Northern Ontario feel. But I guess metal is reflective as the building will sit on what was formerly industrial land.

I would rather see the former Keskus Mall renovated into the art gallery to fill that space, and bring some more lift back to the downtown core myself. However, it is much more complex than that. The building is not abandoned, and it would have to first be acquired. I don't think there is a right or wrong answer between reno and new build, that's just my opinion.

[F. Lionel]

Originally Posted by TbayON

I would rather see the former Keskus Mall renovated into the art gallery to fill that space, and bring some more lift back to the downtown core myself. However, it is much more complex than that. The building is not abandoned, and it would have to first be acquired. I don't think there is a right or wrong answer between reno and new build, that's just my opinion.

I'm going to assume that you are referring to the Eaton's building where the call centre(s) were? Since Keskus was completely demolished to make room for the casino and parking lots.

Is there still an art gallery in the basement at Eaton's?

[TbayON]

Originally Posted by F. Lionel

I'm going to assume that you are referring to the Eaton's building where the call centre(s) were? Since Keskus was completely demolished to make room for the casino and parking lots.

Is there still an art gallery in the basement at Eaton's?

Ha! You would be correct. Not sure if there is still a permanent gallery there, but it is used by DefintelySuperior for their urban infill annual art exhibition. I think other group(s) operate out of the building too. The upstairs is, well, for lack of better description, just loaded up with shit and junk.

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THUNDER BAY

A Booster Juice outlet will be opening on Arthur St. by the sounds of things. Will be the first location in the city for the chain. Construction is underway at the moment.

Interesting article regarding the future of Victoriaville Mall:
https://www.northernontariobusiness....lopment-463794

If I am reading between the lines correctly, this story makes it sound like its coming down (that's the feeling I get anyways).

[F. Lionel]

Originally Posted by TbayON

Ha! You would be correct. Not sure if there is still a permanent gallery there, but it is used by DefintelySuperior for their urban infill annual art exhibition. I think other group(s) operate out of the building too. The upstairs is, well, for lack of better description, just loaded up with shit and junk.

Absolutely full of junk for sure. How they managed to fit a Health Club on the third floor as well amazed me.

Somewhere, on one of my drives, I have a collection of pictures I managed to take a few years ago inside the building. I was working with a theatre company for a production in the basement and had access to the third floor and basement. I have pictures of the old restaurant, the walled off escalators, old Eaton's displays... it was like a trip down memory lane. I grew up a few blocks from there and have many a memory of visiting both Eaton's and Keskus. If I should ever find them I will share them.

[TbayON]

THUNDER BAY

A couple multi-unit developments are getting going now. First one is another condo building at the Terra Vista development that has been proposed for some time. It will be a 24 unit, 3 storey built in front of the 30 unit condo that went up already. The foundation is also going in finally going in for the multi-unit at the corner of John St. Rd. and Chercover. The hole has been there for months. Not sure how many units here. The hole for the third and final building on Algoma St. has also been dug.

Halfway Motors will be opening a BRP dealership in the former George O'Hill building on Balmoral Ave. (now home to Fresh Air). Renovations are underway at the moment.

[TbayON]

THUNDER BAY

I heard a rumour today that the City of Thunder Bay has purchased the Shoreline Hotel in downtown P.A., and possibly a couple other properties in the very near vicinity. These acquisitions would have been made with the development of the arena and conference centre in mind, which still lacks provincial and federal funding. The owner has supposedly been trying to get the city to buy the property for a while now... the owner is often way behind on paying property taxes.

If true, it is very likely the Shoreline Hotel will be demolished in the not too distant future.

[TbayON]

THUNDER BAY

Hearing that a roughly 20 000 S.F. office building is going to be developed in Innova Park (near the Environment Canada office). A local developer is putting the building up. Doesn't sound like its being developed for any particular tenant.

Sounds like the Union of Ontario Indians (UOI) is going to forge ahead with their education agreement with the Government of Canada. The UOI represents several area First Nations. The agreement will essentially allow the treaty organization to control their own education system. Should be interesting to see how this affects established school boards locally with respect to school closures as it could lead to the development of an additional school(s) in Thunder Bay for First Nations. Purely speculation at this point, but its something that should be watched.

[tjernobyl]

Originally Posted by TbayON

Not sure if there is still a permanent gallery there, but it is used by DefintelySuperior for their urban infill annual art exhibition. I think other group(s) operate out of the building too. The upstairs is, well, for lack of better description, just loaded up with shit and junk.

Definitely Superior's permanent gallery is in the basement of the Eatons building, and has been there for many years. The Urban Infill temporary galleries happen all over downtown.

There's a large open space just outside the DefSup space. In recent years, it has been used as an arcade machine auction space, roller derby practice area, City Band practice area, theatre space, and until the Fire Marshall finally put his foot down, an event space for DefSup.

Originally Posted by TbayON

If I am reading between the lines correctly, this story makes it sound like its coming down (that's the feeling I get anyways).

There was an open house in the spring for the future of Victoriaville. The options presented were A) tear it down, B) tear it down, and C) nebulous maybe repair option. It was so skewed I'm not sure they've really considered what would be needed to keep it going.

[TbayON]

Originally Posted by tjernobyl

There was an open house in the spring for the future of Victoriaville. The options presented were A) tear it down, B) tear it down, and C) nebulous maybe repair option. It was so skewed I'm not sure they've really considered what would be needed to keep it going.

I believe the skylights are in need of immediate replacement... which is about a $2 million bill. That's assuming when things are opened up, no other issues are found. I would say that scenario is unlikely and further work will be required given the amount of water coming into the building. Another $1/2 million will be 'lost' on top of that this year in operating costs. Total cost to tear down, put Victoria Ave. back in with related storm drains, sidewalks etc. is roughly $10 million.

Its therefore not unthinkable the costs to demolish could be 'covered' in 5-6 years of accumulated capital renovation costs and loses. IF getting rid of the mall helped the south core area reinvent itself, increased tax revenue would shorten that time. That's a big if though... hard to judge peoples' response.

[vid]

Originally Posted by TbayON

I believe the skylights are in need of immediate replacement... which is about a $2 million bill. That's assuming when things are opened up, no other issues are found. I would say that scenario is unlikely and further work will be required given the amount of water coming into the building. Another $1/2 million will be 'lost' on top of that this year in operating costs. Total cost to tear down, put Victoria Ave. back in with related storm drains, sidewalks etc. is roughly $10 million.

Its therefore not unthinkable the costs to demolish could be 'covered' in 5-6 years of accumulated capital renovation costs and loses. IF getting rid of the mall helped the south core area reinvent itself, increased tax revenue would shorten that time. That's a big if though... hard to judge peoples' response.

That's the explanation they've given, and part of why they're in favour of demolition.

The particular way in which the facility is managed is destined for failure. Unless a single owner bought every abutting property and managed it as a single complex, it won't ever really turn a profit.

Nearby, however, Mike Cupello is *finally* repairing the Medical Arts Building at May and Victoria, with a goal to have it occupied, meaning that that entire block will, hopefully within a year, have full occupancy. Tomorrow night is a grand opening gala thing for The Hub, across the street in the old Gerry's Furniture building (was the Fort William Farmers Market for a while back in 2008). New tenants are also in the old Foodateria (was Sylvan Learning for a while, beside the Roy Block and Buzzee's Jerseys). The Madgical's building is for sale for about $450-500 thousand. On May Street, there are two new cafes (I forget the names of both but one is in the old RBC/Cash Store across from the Medical Arts Building and the other is in the Dyke Block) and Norma Jean's is (maybe?) reopening under new ownership. Volare Pizza and Pasta has closed but the building is also no longer for sale, so something might be happening there.

Also it's important to note that the majority of the businesses in the downtown South Core are owned by women entrepreneurs.

[TbayON]

Originally Posted by vid

That's the explanation they've given, and part of why they're in favour of demolition.

The particular way in which the facility is managed is destined for failure. Unless a single owner bought every abutting property and managed it as a single complex, it won't ever really turn a profit.

Victoriaville really can't compete with Intercity Mall for small or anchor tenants either. Lower rent is an attraction to smaller business, but the lack of traffic through the mall often is not enough to support turning a profit.

Originally Posted by vid

Nearby, however, Mike Cupello is *finally* repairing the Medical Arts Building at May and Victoria, with a goal to have it occupied, meaning that that entire block will, hopefully within a year, have full occupancy. Tomorrow night is a grand opening gala thing for The Hub, across the street in the old Gerry's Furniture building (was the Fort William Farmers Market for a while back in 2008). New tenants are also in the old Foodateria (was Sylvan Learning for a while, beside the Roy Block and Buzzee's Jerseys). The Madgical's building is for sale for about $450-500 thousand. On May Street, there are two new cafes (I forget the names of both but one is in the old RBC/Cash Store across from the Medical Arts Building and the other is in the Dyke Block) and Norma Jean's is (maybe?) reopening under new ownership. Volare Pizza and Pasta has closed but the building is also no longer for sale, so something might be happening there.

Also it's important to note that the majority of the businesses in the downtown South Core are owned by women entrepreneurs.

This is definitely a positive sign. There is no reason why Victoria Ave. (if the mall goes away) and/or May St. couldn't eventually become more successful than Algoma St. Need more residential units in the area though.

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THUNDER BAY

The tendering process has begun for the renovations and addition to the former forestry building at Lakehead U. The building is going to be converted into an advanced engineering and sciences building.

[TbayON]

THUNDER BAY

Sounds like some improvements are coming up for the local Wholesale Club outlet. Not sure the scope of the work yet.

A dental office is going to be developed in the new commercial/retail development on Fort William Rd. I believe it is going in the same building as the Beer Store (there is at least one other unit in that building).

[F. Lionel]

Originally Posted by TbayON

THUNDER BAY
Sounds like some improvements are coming up for the local Wholesale Club outlet. Not sure the scope of the work yet. Also hearing that some

It probably will be similar to the renovations that have taken place at the Wholesale Club here in Winnipeg. They are not large changes but, rather, smaller aesthetic changes. They replaced much of the racking and renovated the customer service, checkout, and entrance areas. The interior now bears more than a passing resemblance to Costco (Which is probably exactly what they were going for).

They also introduced a membership card system that. Originally they were charging for this membership ($20) but have since made the membership card free of charge.

Given the age of their building in TBay and it's current state I'm sure the renovations will be a little more substantial.