![FW-We-have-a-Neighbourhood-to-Build Mayor Hobbs, City Manager Tim Commisso and business owners in the downtown Fort William neighbourhood meet to discuss solutions.](https://www.netnewsledger.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/11/FW-We-have-a-Neighbourhood-to-Build.jpg)
![Mayor Hobbs, City Manager Tim Commisso and business owners in the downtown Fort William neighbourhood meet to discuss solutions.](https://www.netnewsledger.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/11/FW-We-have-a-Neighbourhood-to-Build.jpg)
Fort William Businesses Building for Future
THUNDER BAY – Editorial – Building the downtown Fort William neighbourhood was the topic of a meeting held last night. A group of business owners, along with Mayor Keith Hobbs, and City Manager Tim Commisso along with representation from the Fort William BIA held an informal meeting to discuss issues of concern in the downtown Fort William area of the city.
The goal of the meeting is reaching a better and safer neighbourhood. Topics discussed included better street lighting, improved police presence in the area, working with the Shelter House, and improved maintenance of downtown streets.
The informal meeting was held at the Unveiled Bridal Shop on Victoria Avenue East.
The session focused on engagement, with Mayor Hobbs and Tim Commisso offering some direction, but also asking a lot of questions about what is needed in the area.
Business owners in the area are very focused on building relationships and partnerships not only with the City of Thunder Bay, but with the BIA in the area, and in making the area safer for their businesses.
The number of businesses owned and operated in the Fort William Business District by women is very high.
At last night’s meeting the discussions were very positive, and business owners and the city have agreed to continue the process of meeting and discussing positive solutions.
The downtown Fort William Business District is home to a number of locally owned and operated businesses offering a wide variety of shops.
Business owners were positive and look forward to the ongoing progress in the area.
Change Coming Fast in Fort William
The impact of the new provincial courthouse in the downtown Fort William neighbourhood, and the arrival of a number of new businesses in the area in recent months, including Renco Foods and Dollarama in Centennial Square, point to a brighter future for the area. The recent grand opening of the Blue Sky Community Healing Centre in the Renaissance Centre on Victoria Avenue East and the construction work along Victoria Avenue that will bring new residential and retail opportunities to the area are further evidence of a re-birth in the area.
NetNewsLedger is located in the downtown Fort William Business District, and we chose this area because of the huge potential in the area.
James Murray