Improvements made

Jessica Carfagnini has only been operating her business in the Bay and Algoma district for about a year.

But although road construction kept traffic off Algoma Street for several months in 2012, the end result was all worthwhile, said the co-owner of the Thunder Bay Naturopathic Clinic.

“Our patients and their clients really fought their way to get to us during construction. They still made it in. It was challenging for them. But everyone is relieved that the street is back and It’s better than ever,” Carfagnini said.

“It’s so pedestrian-friendly. It makes the Bay and Algoma area, all the way from Pearl Street to John Street really feel like a community, a place where people can go for all of their shopping needs and even some of their health-care needs now.”

The project, which took a little longer than city officials planned, saw the street repaved between John Street and Bay Street, with improvements made to sidewalks to allow for outdoor sales and other events.

Brian Hamilton, who heads the Bay and Algoma Business Association, organized a ribbon-cutting ceremony that was originally supposed to close the Algoma Street for about 10 minutes on Friday morning.

But with winter weather making driving conditions hazardous enough, the group decided to scale it back a bit and cut the ribbon on the sidewalk.

Hamilton, who owns a café in the district, is ecstatic with the finished product.

“Not only did they fix the road, they fixed it and expanded it. The city has been putting a lot of care into the aesthetic of the street as well, so that’s what we’re really happy about,” Hamilton said.

“It’s a really competitive industry now for retail. We think that this brings us up to the next competitive edge here with the mall and stuff.”

McKellar Coun. Paul Pugh said he understands the process wasn’t the easiest, with Algoma Street shut down to traffic for much of the busy and lucrative summer months.

“It did affect business, but the city’s objective was to make this a destination and by beautifying and improving the area, it has been a success. I think time will tell as the trees grow and people get to come down here and see what’s happening. It’s going to make the Bay and Algoma area a real place to go in the city,” Pugh said.

He added the city is doing similar work on St. Paul Street and will be looking at other business districts in the future.