Finnway General Contractor awarded $18.4M contract to lead streetscape overhaul and Victoriaville Centre demolition

THUNDER BAY – Local News – Thunder Bay’s long-awaited downtown revitalization is now officially underway with the selection of Finnway General Contractor Inc. as the lead for the Victoria Avenue Reconstruction project, including the demolition of the Victoriaville Centre.

This move has been talked about since 2010 with the overall decision being that Victoriaville had to be demolished, the facility was costing millions of dollars in upkeep.

City officials confirmed Monday that Finnway’s $18.4 million bid came in on budget, marking the first tangible step toward reshaping the city’s downtown streetscape.

“We’re now working closely with Finnway to finalize the demolition schedule and the phased reconstruction plan,” said Aaron Ward, manager of engineering for the city.

Transforming Victoria Avenue into a Vibrant Urban Corridor

The project will see Victoria Avenue and Syndicate Avenue reopened to traffic, with the area reimagined to support both active transportation and downtown economic renewal. Key features includes;

• Dedicated bike lanes and widened sidewalks to promote pedestrian comfort and active lifestyles.

• Outdoor patio spaces designed to create a vibrant street-level experience and support local businesses.

• Improved public realm features, making the downtown more welcoming and accessible for residents and visitors alike.

City Hall wants to assure the residents that access to local businesses like Thrive Fitness, Victoriaville Physiotherapy Centre, and Sweet Cherry Spa will remain open throughout demolition, minimizing disruption.

Parking Plans Spark Council Debate

Though the project update was informational, parking arrangements became a point of discussion at City Council, particularly regarding requests from Victoriaville Physiotherapy Centre to allow parking on the north side of Victoria Avenue.

Ward explained that current designs reserve parking on the south side only, arguing it will provide a shorter and more direct pedestrian route to businesses than currently exists, where customers must park blocks away and walk through the mall.

Alison Barrett, municipal engineer with KGS Group, explained that sidewalk space on the north side is limited by building proximity, making it unsuitable for parking and patio combinations. The south side offers greater flexibility, balancing public parking and pedestrian space.

Eric Conway, KGS Group’s landscape architect feels that the North-South Plaza along Syndicate Avenue will offer versatile public space for pop-up vendors and community events, complementing the planned patios on the north side.

“There’s a balance here,” Ward concluded. “The Civic Centre area offers space for public parking, while the north side will support private business patios, creating a more dynamic and pedestrian-focused downtown.”

A Key Milestone for Downtown Thunder Bay

The awarding of the contract to Finnway signals a critical milestone in Thunder Bay’s downtown renewal, bringing long-discussed plans closer to reality. The project promises to create a more vibrant, walkable, and economically dynamic urban core—a transformation the community will be watching closely as the work unfolds over the coming months.