Thunder Bay city council changes mind on shelter village site again

Thunder Bay's proposed temporary shelter village won't be built on Miles Street East.

Council approved the site — which was recommended by city administration — at its July 14 meeting.

However, on Monday night, councillors voted against ratifying that decision, instead voting in support of a location next to 8th Avenue, known as the Hillyard site.

"City council voted for the status quo, so at least in the south core, we're just looking at more of the same," said Coun. Brian Hamilton, who represents the McKellar Ward.

The Miles Street East site is part of that ward.

"Tough moment for those of us that have been listening to the experts, consulting with the organizations, and really trying to advocate for a well-balanced solution that balances the needs of ... business as well as helping people move their lives forward," Hamilton said. "Tough, emotional night here."

Hamilton voted to ratify the Miles Street East site on Monday. Councillors Greg Johnsen, Kristen Oliver, Kasey Etreni, Shelby Ch'ng and Andrew Foulds also voted in favour of ratification.

Councillors Rajni Agarwal, Mark Bentz, Albert Aiello, Dominic Pasqualino, Michael Zussino and Trevor Giertuga, and Mayor Ken Boshcoff voted against.

City manager John Collin said city administration chose Miles Street East because it was the site that offered the best chance for the project to succeed.

Administration has noted in the past that the site is close to services that the occupants regularly access.

The village would include about 80 sleeping cabins for use by the city's unhoused population, with the goal of helping them transition to permanent housing.

In addition, the Miles Street East site is ready for construction, and easy to access by emergency services.

Regarding the Hillyard site, Bentz said it has some positives.

"It doesn't put revitalization at risk," he said during the meeting. "It offers three times the land area compared to Miles.

"It's rather isolated from residential uses."

There are some challenges, however, Bentz said, including the site being located near to an active transportation corridor and an off-leash dog park.

In addition, Bentz said, there is limited information available in terms of environmental concerns with the site, and it's further away from services.

Hamilton had concerns about choosing a new site "on the fly."

"I'm certainly not interested in spending money on a site that is not tested," he said. "It has not passed the consultation publicly, and passed the smell test of our senior leadership, and the organizations that are about to serve the people.

"This is just throwing spaghetti on the wall. I'm not interested in in throwing good money after bad."

Hamilton voted against the Hillyard site, as did Foulds, Johnsen and Giertuga.