Reimagine Victoriaville: Phase 2

A new project team has been formed to explore the removal of Victoriaville Centre and develop a design for the revitalized Victoria and Syndicate Avenues. This street will be transformed into a modern transportation corridor that integrates pedestrians, cyclists, and drivers with vibrant public spaces designed for all users. The City has hired Colliers Project Leaders to lead the project with a team that includes KGS Group (engineers), Scatliff + Miller + Murray (landscape architects and public engagement specialists), i4 Architecture (architects), and Sever Lupu (construction cost consultants).

Next Steps
Construction is anticipated to begin in the Spring of 2025, including renovations to existing buildings and deconstruction of the Victoriaville Centre. The reconstruction of Victoria Avenue and the public plazas will commence in 2026 with the entire project being completed by Fall of 2026.

In the summer of 2024, the City and the project team met with key stakeholders, owners, and tenants to review the draft construction and renovation plans for each building, and received feedback to aid in finalizing the construction plans.

Stakeholders and Rights-holders
The City of Thunder Bay, with the project team, met with key stakeholders and rights-holders in early July 2022 to share project information, gather initial feedback to inform the three schematic design options, and better understand technical information from building occupants. The City and the project team followed up with key stakeholders and rights-holders in Winter 2023 to help refine the preferred design.

Background
Phase 1 of Reimagine Victoriaville concluded in October 2020. During this first phase of the project the City of Thunder Bay explored possible options for a revitalized Victoriaville that are economically and programmatically sound and have broad community support. Four feasible options for the Centre were prepared and analyzed based on public input, stakeholder input, and evaluation criteria to decide on the future of Victoriaville Centre.View towards raised crossing looking towards Archibald Street.

In addition to Phase 1 of Reimagine Victoriaville, significant stakeholder and community engagement was initiated in 2016 regarding the possible demolition of the Victoriaville Centre. A public presentation was delivered to approximately 150 attendees and an additional 1300 questionnaires were received in person and online. Almost 9 out of 10 respondents indicated that the Victoriaville Centre does not improve the downtown South Core, does not provide sufficient public benefit relative to its operating deficit, and that the cost to demolish and reopen Victoria Avenue is justified by cost savings over time.

Throughout several rounds of public engagement in 2016, 2019, and 2020, we heard that there is widespread support to demolish Victoriaville Centre and restore Victoria Avenue.

The report of the findings from Phase 1 were presented to City Council on September 21, 2020 that provided a recommendation for the future of Victoriaville Centre. In October 2020, City Council made a recommendation to remove all of Victoriaville Centre. View the Final Report from Phase One. Learn more about the project background.