Letter – I agree with MP Markus Powlovski

An open letter to the administration and all council members

THUNDER BAY – Letters – I agree with MP Marcus Powlowski that we need to address the homeless problem in Thunder Bay and address the encampments that have sprung up across the city. I also agree that plans for temporary housing in the southern part of downtown will not benefit homeowners and businesses in the area and is not a viable solution if the revitalization plan for the southern core of downtown is successful.

If this were a good location, the city would plan to locate another similar housing project on the north side of the city to accommodate another 100 or more homeless people in the city. One of the two locations the city is eyeing is on Miles Street near Simpson Street and is located within a block or two of 4 bars, which could be a real problem for some homeless people already suffering from serious alcohol and other addictions.

Previous councils have made serious mistakes in the past in managing the southern core, including closing Victoria and Syndicate avenues and building the Victoriaville shopping center at the center of this busy intersection. Now demolishing the shopping center and opening Victoria Avenue to traffic will cost taxpayers $17.5 million. and construct new public spaces for aesthetic purposes, which added about $5 million to the total cost. The previous council also ignored the concerns of many businesses and residents in the southern core about 18 years ago and decided to build a shelter right in the middle of the southern core of the city, a block or so from the Thunder Bay Museum Sports Centre. Hall of Fame and City Hall. This place has scared off many locals as well as tourists as the area has fallen into disrepair over the years.

These poor decisions by previous councils had serious consequences for the area and contributed to the decline of the southern core. Many businesses closed, and others were left with plywood in place of windows and doors. The beautiful St Andrew’s Church, located directly opposite City Hall, had to install barriers in front of its doors for protection.

I visit the south downtown area regularly, as I have for over 50 years. I often shop for groceries in Centennial Square and know many business owners in the area. I still often have breakfast at the Victoriaville Mall’s only remaining restaurant. All of these business owners told me categorically that the city’s choice of temporary housing in the South Central is not suitable for the improvement and survival of the South Core. One business owner I spoke with told me that they attended a town meeting and almost everyone in attendance was not in favor of the town’s two proposed sites in south downtown for a transitional housing project. Another told me that she received notification of the meeting after it ended.

I know that Mr. Povlovsky has listened to many of these voters and expresses their concerns. He says there are more comprehensive solutions that will better meet the needs of everyone involved, including the downtown Fort William community and the homeless. The administration and council members must find a suitable location that will benefit everyone, as this may well be more than a temporary housing project.

Ray Smith