Ontario Construction News staff writer
Northwestern Ontario’s Thunder Bay has issued a call for development proposals for ten city owned properties dubbed “prime locations” suitable for multi-residential and mixed-used projects.
“The city is focused on growth, building more homes and businesses, and offering land for development,” said Joel DePeuter, director development services. “That, paired with our strong local and regional construction expertise and skilled workforce, is a recipe for success.”
The sites downtown and in emerging neighborhoods are all serviced and vacant, most are already zoned to permit residential, and together they could accommodate more than 1,000 new housing units.
Eligible projects may qualify for financial incentives, including grants for housing, construction, and planning fees.
The city is also seeking proposals for industrial and commercial development along with residential as it aims for population and tax base growth.
“We are seeking proposals that align with our goals for growth, community, and sustainability,” the city states on the project page. “Whether you’re planning a housing development, a mixed-use complex, or an innovative urban project, we want to hear from you.”
Successful proposals will support:
- Increased Housing Supply
Accelerate the construction of new multi-unit homes across Thunder Bay. - Complete, Connected Communities
Create integrated spaces that combine residential, commercial, and public amenities. - Sustainable Urban Growth
Help meet our Housing Accelerator Fund(HAF) targets (focus on density, affordability, and environmental sustainability) - Transit-Oriented Development
Especially in downtown-zoned sites, proposals should support public transit and walkability. - High-Quality Urban Design
Submissions must align with Urban Design & Landscape Guidelines.
Eligible projects may qualify for a range of grants and supports including multi-unit residential grant, construction assistance grant and planning & building fees grant.
Non-profit organizations may also be eligible for a land value discount of up to $25,000.
Click here for more information
Available properties are in core urban areas and emerging neighbourhoods, offering a range of development potential. Applicants may propose to develop all or part of a site and can create partnerships to unlock the full potential of these locations.
Click the listings below for more information about each property:
- 300 Tokio Street (between Picton Avenue and Junot Avenue)
- 144 Fanshaw Street (at Golf Links Road)
- 218 Empire Avenue (near Brown Street)
- Hudson Avenue (near Shuniah Street and Otto Street)
- 791 Arundel Street (near Toledo Street)
- 216 May Street South (near Donald Street)
- 239 & 301 Brodie Street (at Arthur Street East)
- 306 Victoria Avenue (at Simpson Street)
- Tupper Street & Camelot Street (between Cumberland Street and Court Street)
- Miles Street, North Street and Simpson Street
“This is a great chance to bring forward new ideas and help grow Thunder Bay in a meaningful way,” said Deanna Walker, manager of realty services said in a press release. “We’re looking for proposals that make smart use of these, and other city owned properties and contribute to the kind of welcoming, vibrant, and growing city we all want to live in.”
The city says it wants to increase housing supply and create “integrated spaces that combine residential, commercial and public amenities” especially in downtown-zoned sites that support public transit and walkability.
Thunder Bay, which has experienced a decrease in population in recent years, has issued RFPs in the past, but this is the first time this has occurred with a menu of properties available, DePeuter added.
For those interested in acquiring properties for the purpose of development and want to explore the available sites to submit a proposal, go online at buildthunderbay.ca or email bu*******@********ay.ca with “Call for Proposals” in the subject line.
