THUNDER BAY – Some city residents and business owners are asking council to reverse its decision to put the temporary shelter village at 879 Alloy Place, otherwise known as the Hillyard lands
Area residents Adam and Maya Mularczyk started the online petition, which, at the time of writing, had just over 260 signatures.
Adam Mularczyk declined an interview, but in an emailed statement to Newswatch wrote that he was deeply concerned council approved the site without a “clear plan to ensure safety, transparency, or accountability.”
“Many residents only found out about it through neighbours rather than official channels, which is deeply troubling,” Mularczyk said.
The petition adds to the growing frustration with council's approval of the Hillyard site without public consultation.
Mularczyk also said the neighbourhood is “already under pressure” with increases of “break-ins, trespassing, and theft.”
“Families are installing cameras, floodlights, and even bars on their windows just to feel safe at home. Adding a shelter village here, without the proper supports, feels like a rushed decision that risks making an already difficult situation worse for both the people who need help and the residents who live here,” Mularczyk said.
The Mularczyk's petition demands that city council:
- Immediately halt plans for the Hillyard site
- Consult directly with impacted residents, Indigenous leaders, and service providers
- Prioritize long-term housing solutions over temporary fixes
- Ensure any shelter project is led by experienced social service agencies with full transparency
“This concern is not ours alone. Hundreds of residents have signed our petition and voiced their frustration with how this decision has been handled. We are calling for responsible, community led planning that protects everyone, those seeking help and those who already call this neighbourhood home. Our voices matter. Our safety matters. Thunder Bay deserves better,” Mularczyk said.
Newswatch asked Cynthia Olsen, director of strategy and engagement, in a press briefing on Monday, if the petition would have an impact on the shelter village.
She said she “can't say one way or another if that would have any impact on the project,” but the city is “very open to working collaboratively with nearby businesses and residents.”
