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Historic event centre proponent irate with city’s recent lack of consultation

THUNDER BAY -- Jim Comuzzi says he's been having trouble with the city lately as a business owner, property owner and head of the waterfront BIA.
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(tbnewswatch.com file photograph)

THUNDER BAY -- Jim Comuzzi says he's been having trouble with the city lately as a business owner, property owner and head of the waterfront BIA.

The city's biggest cheerleader when it came to the proposed event centre said even that project's troubles were relayed to the downtown North core's business leaders at the last minute.

But now it's gone further with no consultation on changes to bus routes and no information regarding the recent Really, Really, Really Long Table event that required the closure of St. Paul Street.

Even though it was a great cause, the Rooster's Bistro owner said it's disconcerting that the city would shut down a street the BIA has worked hard to improve without any conversation.

"They just closed our street. They didn't ask us, they didn't consult with us," Comuzzi said.

As a property owner, Comuzzi said he recently lost a business that was renting out 3,000 square feet of space and 21 parking spaces to the city-owned Whalen building, the public competing with private sector, which he said is discouraging.

"I'm not sure if I can believe what the city is telling us," he said. "We're not getting a real good picture of what’s going on."

Still, Comuzzi said the area has made some great headway over the past few years to revitalize itself.

"I'm somewhat discouraged but at the same time I can't let it slow us down," he said.

"We're doing some good things and it would just be nice if we had a little bit more information about how they're not going to help us again."

City manager Tim Commisso countered, saying city officials twice visited Comuzzi's business and were told there were no issues. The message, however, was not passed along to the entrepreneur. Commisso added he will personally follow up with Comuzzi. 

 





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