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

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	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	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.

Related Information

DWMP Introduction Video DWMP Timeline DWMP (Complete Plan)

Contact

Joel Therrien

Special Projects Development Planner

joel.therrien@northbay.ca (705) 474-0400 x.2404