Potential plans for the former Resolute Forest Products mill property are now before town council.
Members of the project team provided more details on the proposal worked on by the BMI Group, Ziibi Investments and Aazhogan Renewal.
It focuses on the property where the former pulp and paper mill stood.
A second proposal is also being developed for the former lagoon and landfill.
Developers have already presented plans for a solar farm and a cyrptocurrency mining operation at the lagoon property that are still before the town.
The former pulp and paper mill area is identified as the Shorelands.
“It really is viewed as a monumental project, not only for the partnership but for the town and surrounding district,” says Tom Janzen, Principal at Scatliff+Miller+Murray. “It’s really driven by the desire to transform the site into a sustainable future, economic regeneration, and urban revitalization and really is an incredible kind of a once-in-a-generation opportunity to really transform not only the site but also showcase the potential for redeveloping a site like this.”
The plan puts a high level of importance on promoting Anishinabe culture and Indigenous design.
Janzen says that includes the naming of streets and places within the development.
The historical significance of the former mill is also taken into account.
The Shorelands is broken down into five distinct precincts – the market precinct, gateway precinct, waterfront precinct, enterprise precinct and wealth precinct.
The market precinct takes in the area where the paper machines stood and focuses on a mix of retail, markets, hospitality and the concept of a cultural arbour.
“If you’re coming over the bridge as a visitor or coming home to Fort Frances, this is really the first part of the site you’re going to see coming over that bridge. We see it as a really tremendous opportunity for a gathering place, to showcase that Indigenous design and really transform the skyline,” says Janzen.
The Gateway Precinct takes in the area directly as the border.
A change in traffic flow, identified in a previous downtown study, is incorporated into the plan.
Janzen says they have met with Canada Border Services Agency to look at some of the improvements they would like to see.
He says a new roadway to the border could be facilitated through the demolition of nearby buildings.
The waterfront precinct takes in the lands directly along the Rainy River, opening it up to walking and bike paths, new docks and extending Front Street.
“We see it as an extension of Front Street, creating a waterfront drive that connects with the great waterfront walk that Fort Frances is invested in,” says Janzen.
The Enterprise district is set aside for industrial uses.
Janzen says it aims to take advantage, in some way, of some of the most impacted sites left by the former mill site.
“The Aazhogan Renewal Group and BMI, in particular, have a real interest in green industry. I think they’ve spoken with a number of prospective interests for future investment in this area. A large part of it is focused on the employment investment and creating industries that they can take advantage of, not only some of the existing infrastructure but also take advantage of the nature of the impacts on the land today,” notes Janzen.
Some of the former mill’s buildings and structures will remain and have been incorporated into the overall plan.
The final precinct is what developers call the wellness precinct.
Janzen says the proximity to LaVerendrye Hospital leads to the potential of facilities and services that support the wellness focus.
This could be facilities like seniors housing or extended stay housing for medical staff and residents.
Janzen notes the plans are still in the very early stages, noting there is a lot of work yet to do.
“There’s also a number of technical studies and additional planning work that needs to occur to make this vision a reality and, of course, tying in with that the leveraging of financial tools.”
No costs or timetables have been put in place.
“This concept, but it really is about stimulating, sustainable economic development, promoting innovation, attracting investment and really that idea of a sustainable future for the town.”
