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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 DWMP 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 DWMP will be implemented over a long term period. It is to be expected that future projects may not precisely follow the concept plan but rather, 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 DWMP

 Communication
  • You are currently on the dedicated webpage.
 Complete

2. Review of Community Improvement Plans (CIPs)

 Policy Review
  • New CIP created in 2020, click here for more information. 
 Complete
3. Establish support services for property owners in the core area Communication
  • Designated Downtown ‘Downtown North Bay & Waterfront’ (DIA) City Staff representative.
  • Designated Growth Community Improvement Plan (GCIP) City Staff.
  • Several financial incentives are made available for properties which improve the community in the city's Downtown Target Area Under GCIP, click here for more information.   
 Complete

4. Undertake Parks Plan update to reflect DWMP

 Policy Review
  • Parks Master Plan completed in 2021, click here for more information.  
 Complete

5. Introduce a new Downtown Waterfront parking strategy

 Policy Review
  • Through City Staff recommendations, City Council made several changes to paid parking in the downtown to improve affordability, access and convenience. Click here for more information. 
 Complete 

6. Create Public Art Policy/Public Art Program

 Policy Creation
  • Public Art Advisory Committee (PAAC) was established in 2019, click here for more information. 
 In Progress
7. Introduce Planning Staff to urban design principles training Other
  • This item has not been 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 information.     
 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 & logos.
  • 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 information. 
  • The intent of the Plan is to also support the creation of an 'Innovation Hub', small business incubators, and bringing institutional uses to the 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
  • Timing has not yet been identified for this item. 
 Not Started

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

 Policy Review
  • Timing has not yet been identified for this item. 
 Not Started
12. Review policy/licensing requirements for more retail & food vendors at the downtown & waterfront Policy Review
  • Timing has not yet been identified for this item. 
 Not Started

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

 Other
  • Timing has not yet been identified for this item. 
 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 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 
 Complete

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

 Infrastructure
  • Click here for more
 Complete
17. Core area recreation improvements    Recreation
  • 'Rotary Splash Pad' - click here for more
  • 'Multi-Use Recreational Courts' - click here for more
  • 'All-Wheel Park' - click here for more
  • New 'Boat-Themed' playground - click here for more 
 Complete 

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

 Study
  • Timing has not yet been identified for this item. 
 Not Started

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

 Infrastructure
  • Timing has not yet been identified for this item. 
 Not Started 

20. Core area parking lot (if required)

 Infrastructure
  • Timing has not yet been identified for this item. 
 Not Started

21. Cultural gathering place at the waterfront

 Culture
  • Timing has not yet been identified for this item. 
 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
 Complete
23. Select partner for Residential and Innovation Hubs Development  In Progress

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

 Development, Culture
  • Timing has not yet been identified for this item. 
 Not Started

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

 Infrastructure
  • Timing has not yet been identified for this item. 
 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 
  • Timing has not yet been identified for this item. 
 Not Started

28 Construct new indoor market

 Development 
  • Timing has not yet been identified for this item. 
 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.
Related Information
DWMP Introduction Video DWMP Timeline DWMP (Complete Plan) Municipal Incentives Growth Community Improvement Plan Building & Development Business Start & Grow a Business Projects & Public Engagement Parks, Playgrounds & Trails Recreational Activities
Contact
Joel Therrien
Special Projects Development Planner
joel.therrien@northbay.ca (705) 474-0400 x.2404