THUNDER BAY -- Options for Red River Road will be rolled into other studies planned for the city's North core.
Coun. Trevor Giertuga brought a motion to city council Monday asking administration to look for ways to improve a portion of Red River Road that has come to be known as the city's entertainment district. Options could include closing a portion of the road between St. Paul Street and Court Street permanently, seasonally or not at all. It could also see the road reduced to one-way traffic.
Giertuga stressed that with the increase in businesses in the area over the past few years, he just wants administration to take a look at what's possible.
"It's just for options," he said.
But council voted to roll those options into upcoming reports, including one on the proposed event centre next month. Depending on what council decides then influences an upcoming transit master plan and the future of the city's North core bus terminal, currently located on Water Street and the preferred site for the event centre should it go ahead.
Councillors also had concerns about the nearby business community. Coun. Aldo Ruberto said shutting down the street might be great for restaurants but bad for banks should customers want to park close by.
"We don't want to hurt any business that's been paying taxes in any way," he said.
Coun. Shleby Ch'ng said she'd rather see the idea come from businesses themselves rather than city council while Coun. Frank Pullia said he doesn't see a need or business calling for change.
"To me it looks like a solution looking for a problem," he said.
Coun. Joe Virdiramo, who chaired the meeting Monday, joked that since council voted to put the options in upcoming studies, they likely won't discuss the issue again for another two years.
