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Downtown Waterfront Master Plan

Overview

The Downtown Waterfront Master Plan (DWMP) capitalizes on ways to improve connections between the downtown and the waterfront. By reflecting North Bay's Indigenous history in meaningful ways and creating new centres of activity, a vibrant downtown & waterfront can be maintained year round.  

The Downtown Waterfront Master Plan has the potential to provide significant economic benefits. These benefits may include:

  • Attracting new businesses and creating jobs
  • Encouraging private sector investment
  • Positive impacts of construction
  • Expanded opportunities for local residents
  • Increases in tourism
  • New or expanded festivals and events
  • More opportunities for the local film and television industry
Project Timeline
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Implementation and Key Projects

The redevelopment proposed in the Downtown Waterfront Master Plan will be implemented over the long term. It is to be expected that future projects will not precisely follow the concept plan but will evolve to meet the needs of the City and the study area over time.

Individual projects in the plan have been categorized in immediate, short, medium and long term phases. See below for more details on the implementation plan.  

Notable Projects & Initiatives

Immediate (6 -18 months)

Key Projects Project Type  Details Status

1. Webpage dedicated to the Downtown Waterfront Master Plan

Communication
  • You are currently on dedicated webpage
Complete

2. Review of Community Improvement Plans

Policy Review
  • Click here for more
Complete
3. Establish support services for property owners within the core area Communication
  • Designated Downtown ‘Downtown North Bay & Waterfront’ (DIA) City Staff representative
  • Designated Growth Community Improvement Plan City Staff 
Complete

4. Undertake Parks Plan update to reflect Downtown Waterfront Master Plan

Policy Review
  • Click here for more
Complete

5. Introduce a new Downtown Waterfront parking strategy

Policy Review
  • Click here for more
Complete 

6. Create Public Art Policy/Public Art Program

Policy Creation
  • Click here for more
In Progress
7. Introduce Planning Staff to urban design principles training Other
  • Not identified as a priority
  • Planning Staff has however introduced a detailed 'Façade Improvement Evaluation Method' for Downtown Target Area redevelopments under the Growth Community Improvement Plan (GCIP). Click here for more.    
In Progress

8. Brand the Downtown Waterfront District with the Downtown Improvement Area (DIA) + improve wayfinding

Communication 
  • Downtown North Bay and Waterfront (DIA) re-branded in 2020 to include ‘Waterfront’ in their marketing materials & logo
  • Wayfinding improvements have not yet been identified as a priority
In Progress
9. Support private sector downtown renewal projects Policy Review, Communication and Development 
  • GCIP provides support for Downtown Target Area projects. Click here for more
  • The intent is to also support the creation of an 'Innovation Hub', small business incubators and bringing institutional uses Downtown in the future
In Progress
10. Review existing Site Plan Control By-law w/intention to integrate the Downtown Waterfront Master Plan guidelines Policy Review

 

Not Started

11. Review policies to make it easier for groups to host activities on publicly owned properties

Policy Review
  • Has been identified as a near future project
Not Started
12. Review policy/licensing requirements for more retail & food vendors at the downtown & waterfront Policy Review
  • Has been identified as a future project
Not Started

13. Paint waterfront fixtures from blue to black to match Main St. fixtures

Other   Not Started

 

Short Term (1 to 5 years)

Key Projects Project Type  Details  Status
14. Begin process for former ‘Kenroc’ site contamination clean-up Development 
  • Land has been sold to private developer and is in the early stages of the re-development process
Complete 

15. Introduce a minimum of 2 new public art pieces through the Public Art Program/Policy

Culture
  • Click here for more
  • A handful of public art pieces have received funding through GCIP - click here for more 
In Progress

16. Main Street and Ferguson Street re-design & re-construction

Infrastructure
  • Click here for more
In Progress
17. Core area recreation improvements    Recreation
  • 'Rotary Splash Pad' - click here for more
  • 'Multi-Use Recreational Courts' - click here for more
  • 'All-Wheel Park' scheduled for the near future - click here for more
  • 'Boat-themed' museum playground scheduled for the near future
In Progress

18. Undertake a Transportation Study to convert Oak Street back to a 2-way street

Study

 

Not Started

19. Add trail to and through the western pedestrian underpass near the carousel on Memorial Drive

Infrastructure

 

Not Started 

20. Core area parking lot (if required)

Infrastructure

 

Not Started

21. Cultural gathering place at the waterfront

Culture

 

Not Started

Medium Term (5 to 10 years)

Key Project  Project Type Details Status
22. Youth Park, Skate Park, and Tree Grove w/seating Recreation
  • Sites have been selected for an 'All-Wheel Park' and 'Boat-Themed' museum playground
  • A 'Tree Grove' has not been identified as a priority
In Progress
23. Select partner for Residential and Innovation Hubs Development  In Progress

24. Cultural Centre celebrating local Indigenous culture + restaurant at the waterfront

Development, Culture

 

Not Started

25. Construction of new waterfront parking area to accommodate additional activity on the waterfront

Infrastructure

 

Not Started 

 

Long Term (10 to 15 years)

Key Project Project Type  Details Status

26. Construct Residential and Innovation Hubs

Development 
  • The ‘Residential Hub’[1] lands (Former Kenroc site) have been sold to private developer who is in the early stages of the re-development process.
  • [1] See pages 46 of the Downtown Waterfront Master Plan for more information. 
  • A partner for the Innovation Hub[1] has not been selected.
  • [1] See pages 52 and 53 of the Downtown Waterfront Master Plan for more information.
Not Started

27. Construct Community Hub

Development 

 

Not Started

28 Construct new indoor market

Development 

 

Not Started

If you have questions or comments, let us know below

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Personal information on this form is collected under the authority of the Municipal Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act and will be used for its intended purpose only. Questions about this collection or personal information should be directed to the City Clerk, 200 McIntyre Street East, North Bay ON P1B 8V6, or by telephone at (705) 474-0626 ext. 2510.
Contact
Joel Therrien
Special Projects Development Planner
joel.therrien@northbay.ca (705) 474-0400 x.2404