There has been a delay in the redesigning of Main Street in downtown North Bay.
Tuesday’s council meeting saw staff recommend the approval of a $340,607 contract to RV Anderson Associates Limited to design the reconstruction of Main Street.
$4 million dollars has already been allocated for the reconstruction of Main Street in 2022 and 2023’s budget. The city’s Waterfront Master Plan also includes the Main Street reconstruction.
The project involves the resurfacing of the interlocking bricks on the street, which city staff has found to be in need of replacement.
The reconstruction includes Main Street from Cassells Street to Sherbrooke Street and Ferguson Street from Main Street to Oak Street.
During the discussion, councillor Dave Mendicino expressed his excitement over the project as a member of the Downtown Improvement Board.
“We have the opportunity to redesign our downtown into the 21st century,” he noted.
Councillor Mark King took issue with the fact the city is outsourcing its own downtown redesign to an outside firm.
“Why we’re going to these consultants constantly is beyond me,” he stated. “We should have the ability inside city departments to put this thing together and actually make a plan that suits the needs of the city of North Bay, not some outside consultant.”
In response, councillor Bill Vrebosch noted that the project will seek the public’s input on the project.
Recognizing King’s hesitancy, councillor Mac Bain put forward a motion to ask staff to see if the redesign can be done internally at city hall.
“It’s best on an important project like this that we have all the information correctly out right from the beginning,” he said.
Councillor Marcus Tignanelli seconded Bain’s motion but did acknowledge staff are busy with other capital projects.
“I’m confident that going out is the right step because of these prior commitments we’ve sat around the table talking about for 40 hours,” he noted. “If people want to take a two-week hiatus to hear the same things we’ve already heard, I’m okay with that too.”
Councillors George Maroosis and Chris Mayne were unable to comment or vote on the manner due to both owning a business on Main Street.
