Council approves Destination North proposal (5 photos)

A major step forward for a Sault Ste. Marie development.

City Council, in a three-pronged vote at its Monday meeting, gave the thumbs up to a long-awaited, tourism-oriented redevelopment proposal for the former St. Marys Paper site.

The proposal, known as Destination North, was presented to Council by Blueforest Ventures Chairman and CEO Willem Galle, accompanied by Tourism Sault Ste. Marie's Executive Director Ian McMillan.

Blueforest Ventures is a subsidiary of Riversedge Developments, which purchased the old paper mill site in April 2012.

Council unanimously approved the Destination North concept and will now direct appropriate City staff and the Economic Development Corporation (EDC) to apply for a $5 million Northern Ontario Heritage Fund Corporation (NOHFC) contribution to the development from the Ontario government.

That funding, if approved by the NOHFC, will be matched by private sector funding from Blueforest Ventures.

Sault Ste. Marie Mayor Debbie Amaroso and eight City Councillors also approved, in a recorded vote, the completion of an extensive Canal District  Master Plan (comprising Destination North, the Gateway Site, Casino Sault Ste. Marie and a hopefully revived Gore Street) by Greenberg Consultants and The Planning Partnership, at a cost of $40,000 from the Gateway Fund.

Councillor Rick Niro abstained from that recorded vote because of a pecuniary interest.

Councillors Susan Myers, Lou Turco and Frank Manzo were absent from Monday's meeting.

Third, and vital to advancement of the Destination North project, was Council's unanimous approval of an updated $25,000 report, assessing the economic benefit of Destination North, by PKF consulting.

The $25,000 for that report will come from the Gateway Fund.

That report, Galle and McMillan told Council, will provide updated market and economic assessment of the project's potential as a tourist attraction.

Chief Administrative Officer (CAO) Joe Fratesi told Council Destination North "offers a more likely and realistic opportunity."

Describing it "as the perfect storm coming together in a good way," Fratesi said development of Destination North will hopefully lead to other investors coming forward and expressing interest in developing the adjacent Gateway site.

It is hoped a cluster of attractions, like those proposed for Destination North, will lead to major economic spin-off benefits such as revitalization of Gore Street.

Councillor Steve Butland, referring to the Gateway site, reminded Council he has seen no less than three proposals for that site fizzle.

Regardless, Butland said he was "not quite jaded…but still hopeful."       

Among the Destination North highlights is the relocation of the Agawa Canyon Tour Train Station from its current location at Station Mall to the refurbished Pulp Tower building.

McMillan told Council Agawa Canyon Tour Train management has indicated its willingness to relocate to Destination North.

A unique feature of the plan is Entomica, which would provide an educational look at the world of insects through interactive exhibits and use of multimedia tools.

Entomica would include an Insectarium with live displays, a butterfly house and a one-of-a-kind Noctarium, which would shed light on the nocturnal lives of moths and fireflies.   

The plan’s Group of Seven Algoma component will highlight the work of the famous Canadian painters who immortalized, on canvas, the rugged beauty of Algoma. 

Aazhogan Anishinabek will serve as both an educational look into the First Nations experience and a retail outlet highlighting Anishinabek arts and crafts. 

Destination North’s Discovery Centre will immerse visitors with elements of Northern Ontario’s natural outdoors elements, including fishing and hunting.

Destination North’s plan also includes space for not only travelling exhibitions, but also archival material compiled by the Sault Ste. Marie Public Library, the Sault Ste. Marie Museum and Algoma University.

In addition, The Board Mill Market will allow the establishment of an expanded Farmers Market and a place for artisans and entrepreneurs to show off their skills and merchandise.