The city needs to open more of its land up to business, says the city’s Chamber of Commerce president.
Harold Wilson, of the Thunder Bay Chamber, spoke to city council Monday about its upcoming official plan, which is expected before the end of 2012. He said the city is out of balance when it comes to commercial development.
New commercial and industrial would also supplement a shrinking tax base.
“This means jobs,” Wilson told council.
Innova Park has been largely vacant because of development agreements that have turned off would-be investors, he said. And some of the city’s green space should be considered for development in the new plan.
“Not all undeveloped land is or should be considered green space,” Wilson said.
Council also heard from a group called Friends of the LPH Green Space.
The group wants provincially owned land behind the LPH to be designated as green space in the new plan rather than the residential designation is has currently.
Winston Loh, one of three members of the group speaking to council, said the land has health, environmental and even economic impacts on the area. And while the city does have plenty of green space around it, that doesn’t mean the space inside it should be taken for granted.
“We’re blessed with nature and nature is right there but I think we need to enhance it in the city where we can,” Loh said.
The group suggests lands on North Algoma Street like the former Port Arthur General Hospital, Dawson Court and the LPH could be opened up for development to find a balance.
A number of public sessions are being held throughout the year to get input on the plan.
Follow Jamie Smith on Twitter: @jsmithreporting
