Central Avenue Development Lands

The City of Thunder Bay is making significant strides to expand housing opportunities through a major investment in infrastructure. The Central Avenue Development Lands project covers 40 hectares (100 acres) between Golf Links Road and Balmoral Street. With new infrastructure investments, this area will soon be ready for residential development, supporting Thunder Bay’s goal of adding 2,200 new homes by 2031.

Key project highlights include:

• $10.4 million in Provincial funding through the Housing-Enabling Water Systems Fund to extend water, wastewater, and stormwater infrastructure.
• Over 2 km of new municipal services to fully service the development area.
• Construction beginning in 2025, with some building lots available by the end of the year.
• Completion of servicing by 2027 and road corridor improvements by 2028.

The City of Thunder Bay is improving road and trail networks along the Central Avenue corridor with $8.64 million in funding from the Province of Ontario’s Housing-Enabling Core Servicing Stream. These upgrades will unlock new housing potential while ensuring safe, efficient connections to key amenities and services.

The conceptual plan does not including removal of any baseball fields. Rather, the baseball diamonds provide an opportunity to enhance the development because there is already an established park space that can be expanded for the growing neighbourhood.

Investing in Growth and Connectivity
The City is enhancing infrastructure to set the stage for more housing, economic growth, and a stronger community. The Central Avenue corridor improvements will:

• Unlock the development potential for over 1,260 new homes by 2028.
• Improve road safety and transportation options, including active transportation.
• Support population growth, attract businesses, and create jobs.

A City Committed to Housing Solutions
Thunder Bay is growing, and so is the demand for housing. The Central Avenue Development Lands will provide a mix of housing options, including missing middle and multi-unit developments. This will increase affordability and create a more diverse housing market that meets the needs of residents.

Why This Matters:

• More housing supply helps stabilize prices and create attainable options.
• Multi-unit and mixed-use developments make efficient use of land and resources.
• A well-planned, connected community supports sustainability and quality of life.

Community Engagement
We want to hear from you! Public consultation will begin in early 2025, giving residents, businesses, and stakeholders an opportunity to help shape this transformative project. Your input will be essential as we design a community that reflects Thunder Bay’s needs and values.

Funding & Support
The City has secured multiple funding sources to support housing development and infrastructure expansion:

• Federal Housing Accelerator Fund Program (Housing Accelerator Fund Program(External link)): Encouraging new housing construction, focusing on multi-unit and affordable options. The program includes grants for local homeowners and homebuilders(External link).
• Provincial Housing-Enabling Water Systems Fund: $10.4 million to expand water, wastewater, and stormwater infrastructure in the Central Avenue Development Lands.
• Provincial Housing-Enabling Core Servicing Stream: $8.64 million for road and trail network improvements to support new development.

Planning for the Future
Thunder Bay is committed to proactive housing solutions that support sustainable growth. The City’s Housing Lands Needs Study(External link) found that increasing housing supply is crucial for affordability and economic stability. While the City does not build homes, it plays a vital role in enabling development through strategic infrastructure investments and policy support.

This project aligns with Thunder Bay’s commitment to build 2,200 new homes by 2031, reinforcing previous Provincial support through the Streamline Development Approvals Fund and the Building Faster Fund(External link) .

Join us as we build a more connected, vibrant, and resilient Thunder Bay!