THUNDER BAY – City council has pressed pause on a divisive proposal to put a Thunder Bay letter sign at the city’s waterfront.
Proponents for the three-dimensional sign, inspired by versions that have proven popular in other cities, argued it could boost the city’s brand and draw cross-country travellers into the downtown, generating economic benefits.
However, its estimated $150,000 cost raised concerns among several councillors worried over the city’s financial position, citing the uncertain impact of COVID-19 and a recent commitment to the indoor turf facility.
The letter sign was put forward by the city’s 50th anniversary committee as a legacy project to commemorate the milestone and boost tourism.
A Sept. 14 motion from Coun. Shelby Ch'ng asked the city to commit of $100,000 from Municipal Accommodation Tax (MAT) reserves to the project, with the anniversary committee requesting additional funding commitments from the Community Economic Development Commission (CEDC) and the city's Clean, Green and Beautiful Committee.
After initially approving that motion in a contentious 7-6 vote, council changed course Monday, opting instead to delay the decision until deliberations over the 2021 budget early in the New Year.
A vote on the delay originally took place at city council’s last meeting on Sept. 28, but a technical glitch that apparently removed Coun. Albert Aiello from the meeting required a re-vote.
At that time, some councillors raised additional concerns that the project
Aiello supported delaying the decision Monday night, providing the deciding vote in a 7-6 result.
After a lengthy discussion at the previous meeting, council proceeded directly to a re-vote Monday.
