THUNDER BAY -- The city should keep VictoriaVille Centre and appoint a new management board for it.
That’s according to a report heading to council Monday night.
A review of Victoriaville looked at everything from selling the space to demolition and recommends that it be viewed as a public space rather than a shopping mall.
Victoriaville has operated a loss since it opened in 1979. But McKellar Mall, which is the portion that operates on Syndicate Avenue, makes money and could offset its operating losses.
The two should be brought together in name and management the report states.
A new board of management should be appointed with a new structure as well. It currently has two councillors, two nearby building owners and a tenant as an interim board. The new structure would see one councillor, one owner, one tenant and two business people.
The report also states that the roads VictoriaVille covers have only ever been closed to vehicle traffic. That makes things like trespassing and smoking bylaws difficult to enforce.
It’s recommended that the city close those through its bylaws. Past attempts were blocked by nearby owners as some buildings would be landlocked.
But with the new Justice Avenue opened for the courthouse, road frontage is now there for properties the report says.
