Forest Park area residents uneasy with proposed Tim Hortons

A proposed Tim Hortons in the Forest Park area is brewing controversy in the neighbourhood.

A developer has plans to build one of the popular coffee shop franchises on the corner of John Street and Junot Avenue, along with the possibility of eventually adding a hotel to the site.

Area resident Rod Seabrook said there’s no room for commercial development in a neighbourhood housed largely by families.

“The property is really in the heart of this residential area,” he said. “It’s a mixed demographic neighbourhood – private family homes and public housing, a very high concentration of families here.”


There is a small playground off Picton Avenue, which borders the property in question to the north; that land is owned by the Ministry of Transportation and Seabrook said what he would like to see an expansion of the playground into a full city park.

“We see the need for expanding that, taking in this property on the corner and developing this to enhance the appearance of the neighbourhood and to provide benefit to the residents who actually live here,” said Seabrook.


The land is owned by the City of Thunder Bay and is zoned as neighbourhood commercial, allowing for a 140 square-foot building. The developer will be going to council in the coming weeks asking for a zoning amendment in order to almost double the square footage.


Seabrook hopes to rally the Forest Park neighbourhood to stop the project before it even gets to that point.


“We want to see the sale of the land halted and a discussion with the residents about what’s best to serve our needs,” he said.

There will be a community meeting at 7 p.m. Thursday at the Boys and Girls Club on Windsor Street to discuss the plans.

Mayor Keith Hobbs and Red River ward Coun. Brian McKinnon have confirmed their attendance, Seabrook said, adding he’s hoping for a strong turnout.


“We’re going to voice our opinion very strongly that this does not serve this neighbourhood at all; this is not an enhancement,” he said. “The people who will frequent these commercial establishments don’t necessarily have to live with the consequences. We do every day. We have an absolute right to speak out.”