THUNDER BAY — The City of Thunder Bay aims to make the Waterfront District a more attractive, vibrant destination for visitors and for business.
It's advertising for a consultant to prepare a streetscape plan that will focus on improvements to Red River Road between Court and Cumberland streets.
The invitation states that planners have identified this section as a location "for public realm improvements and where lane and/or parking modifications should be considered to expand the pedestrian realm."
The city envisions a flexible space downtown that will be functional for multi-modal transportation (walking, cycling or transit) while remaining adaptable for specific events, for weekend use or for seasonal purposes.
There would also be changes involving lighting, planting or street furniture, "basically improving that space for pedestrians," Director of Engineering Kayla Dixon told Tbnewswatch.
The study area will include secondary streetscapes taking in the remainder of Red River Road between Algoma and Water streets, Court Street between Red River Road and Pearl Street, St. Paul Street, and adjacent portions of Cumberland Street and Park Avenue.
Dixon said the city would like to dovetail the project with upcoming sewer and watermain work that needs to be done on Red River Road.
"What we're looking for is conceptual designs around the streetscape. We're hoping the consultant can provide some concepts and do some consultation with the community, the Waterfront BIA and other stakeholders, do some pilot projects for us, and present some recommendations," Dixon said.
She said pilot projects could be started as early as next spring, but the target for completion of the final designs is the fall of 2021.
As yet, no budget has been established for the project.
