By Nicky Shaw
BIA vice chair says that for residents who haven’t recently visited the area, it’s looking much better
Underground conditions requiring further investigation and remediation have delayed construction on Victoria Avenue in Thunder Bay, Ont.
With weather permitting, the City of Thunder Bay expects to reopen the avenue to traffic by Dec. 6, according to a media release issued Wednesday.
Several surrounding businesses say the delay will not affect operations and aren’t surprised it occurred given the project’s size.
‘See what unfolds’ as the area develops
The avenue has been closed for more than 30 years, said Tony DiPaolo, who is the owner of Monty’s Joint and Armani’s, as well as vice chair of the Fort William Business District BIA.
“We’re not upset about the delay. Obviously, our hearts were set for [the]end of this month, but these things happen. So I don’t feel it’s a big issue for anybody around here,” DiPaolo said.
While the city will never know what else may happen, he said, as long as construction keeps moving forward, everyone will be “quite happy.”
“If you go back in time, this was a very, very vital road thoroughfare and they basically put a stop plug in the middle of it, which led to some challenges… for the area,” DiPaolo said, adding that the BIA sees the avenue’s reopening as a positive benefit to the area.
“We’re hoping that that will be rectified.”
Without the mall, DiPaolo said businesses will have the opportunity to come into the area.
Nonetheless, the BIA voiced confusion and concern over the cost of laying surface pavement that will be removed later.
“We appreciate it that they’re thinking about putting a layer of pavement down and that’s great… they’re really thinking about the businesses and Christmas time… but again, as the BIA we’re really concerned about [the]city’s money,” DiPaolo said, noting how it could make more sense to pack hard gravel down as snow and ice will be on the road soon.
“Nothing but positive”
Steven Scollie owns and operates Ski Haus, which originally opened on Victoria Avenue from 1963 to 1973 before operating on Brodie Street North for the last 54 years.
He said that because construction was fairly isolated to two blocks of the avenue, the construction and project impacts have been “nothing but positive.”
“The Victoriaville mall was here for 45 years and initially I remember when it was brand new and pretty exciting, but obviously it was time for a change,” Scollie said, noting his excitement and complete support of its demolition and the rebuilding of the avenue’s two blocks.
Scollie will also be moving his business to the avenue’s former Bargain Shop by fall 2027. Although emotional, he said it’s exciting to move the business to a new space that will help support local development.
“I do feel for the other businesses that are operating and having to use alternative entryways and not being able to operate business as usual,” Scollie said.
“And certainly, everyone’s super excited to see the project move forward and to see what it’s going to look like. So although patience is a virtue, it’s hard not to be a little bit disappointed with the understandable delays.”
Berhane Hailu has owned Ajibo Shop, a convenience store that sells mostly East African products and was previously part of the mall, for the last two years. He said it’s been over a year and they’re still operating from the back of the store.
“People don’t know we are open in the backside, but it’s definitely affected our business and it’s very slow,” Hailu said.
Hailu said only a few people, and people who know them, visit the store frequently.
He said the store greatly hopes crews will finish construction as soon as possible.
“We’re hoping to get more customers on the street side once we are open on that side… So we’re really hoping to get back on our feet once the street opens,” Hailu said.
The city said it expects crews to complete paving over the next two weeks, after which work will continue on other streetscape elements as weather permits. After reopening, construction of some project elements and temporary pedestrian access will remain where required for safety.
Final work, such as the permanent road surface, will be completed during the 2027 construction season.
Source: https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/thunder-bay/victoria-avenue-9.7400259?cc