North Bay, ON – May 12, 2023 – The City of North Bay today launched the first major renovation of its Main Street in nearly 40 years, a project that will create an even brighter and more inviting Downtown with new sidewalks, roadway, stairs, railings, lighting and more.
“This project will make Main Street more attractive for new businesses, residents, and visitors. It will add vibrancy and contribute to the long-term success of our Downtown Waterfront,” said Mayor Peter Chirico. “Thanks goes out to MPP Fedeli and the Ontario government for supporting this project. I would also like to recognize the businesses and property owners who have continued to champion our Downtown.”
The $8.85-million Making Over Main Street project, which gets underway on Monday, May 15, will take place over two years, and is being supported by the Northern Ontario Heritage Fund Corporation.
“Our government is proud to support North Bay with a $700,000 investment that will make a real difference in our community’s downtown core,” said Vic Fedeli, MPP for Nipissing.
The Making Over Main Street project involves the reconstruction of Main Street between Sherbrooke and Cassells streets, as well as a section of Ferguson Street between Main and Oak streets. New above-ground infrastructure will be installed, including road base, curb and gutter, concrete crosswalks, exposed aggregate accent sidewalk, concrete sidewalk, traffic control system, streetlight upgrades, festoon lighting, asphalt paving and other ancillary works.
The first phase of the project is scheduled to be completed in early November and includes the two blocks of Main Street bounded by Sherbrooke and Wyld streets and Wyld and Ferguson streets. The project is set to resume in April of 2024 and is tentatively scheduled for completion later that fall.
Each block is expected to take up to three months to complete. Only once a block has been fully reconstructed will the contractor proceed to the next block.
“We’re looking forward to having a fresh, new look and are excited to get this project moving. Once completed, this project will not only benefit existing businesses and property owners, but will help attract new investment,” said Katie Bevan, Chair of the Downtown Improvement Area. “In the meantime, the Downtown will be open throughout the construction, there will be plenty of parking and the summer events that you love to attend will still be taking place.”
The Making Over Main Street project was identified as a major component of the Downtown Waterfront Master Plan, which has also been the catalyst for other recent and upcoming projects aimed at enhancing community amenities in the Downtown Waterfront. This includes the new Rotary Playground and All-Wheel Park supported by Kiwanis, both of which are slated to get underway this year.
“It’s exciting to see the vision for this district continuing to take shape. A vibrant Downtown Waterfront will help to make North Bay an even more attractive destination for visitors,” said Tanya Bédard, Executive Director at Tourism North Bay.
The east block of Main Street between Sherbrooke and Wyld streets will be closed to vehicular traffic starting on Monday, May 15 as the contractor for the Making Over Main Street project, MCA Contracting Ltd., mobilizes. Drivers should expect short detours around blocks under construction for the duration of the project. Pedestrian access to businesses will remain open during the construction.
Two-hour free parking will continue to be in effect in both Lot 2 (Oak Street) and Lot 4 (parking garage); and will be extended to Lot 10 (Wyld Street) during the 2023 construction period.
For more project information, please visit: https://www.northbay.ca/mainst