City council has put the wheels in motion to set up a Downtown Fort William Revitalization Advisory Committee.
Though the measure needs ratification during Council, city spokesperson Joel DePeuter said, among other things, the committee will be asked to provide input into the demolition of Victoriaville Centre.
“With respect to that project the committee would provide feedback to architects, engineers, and city staff to develop streetscapes to provide input into the design of public spaces,” said DePeuter on Monday.
The city official adds there will also be input required into any revitalization work for the downtown core noting, “We’d like the committee to provide input on things like grant strategies, the city’s real estate strategy in the downtown and potentially other municipal projects.”
At Large Councillor Rebecca Johnson told the elected members that they should think long term as to whether they want to be included in the committee.
“We could potentially have new people on the committee come December of 2022,” Johnson noted. “[Councillors] that are thinking of sitting on this should really consider whether they’re going to run in the next municipal election and the fact that we need some continuity on this.”
Election day is set for Monday October 22, 2022.
Northwood councillor Shelby Ch’ng has her doubts about the committee.
“I’m worried that we now have three committees,” Ch’ng exclaimed, “well two of them I know have been limping along for years with the Fort William BIA and the Victoriaville Management Board. Now we have a third committee with a very small budget and a very tall order. It’s not clear to be who does what in the terms of reference.”
The budget for the committee would be $79,000 which was previously allocated to Phase 2 of the Reimagine Victoriaville Project.
It’s not clear when the decision will be up for ratification.
With files from Kevin Jeffrey
