Businesses seek Willow Avenue extension

If Multi-Channel Communications Inc. (MCCI) is allowed to build its new E-commerce facility on the old Ministry of Transportation site, a group of business leaders wants Willow Avenue extended through the property to connect with Old Garden River Road.

MCCI has proposed creating 600 new jobs in a new 30,000-square-foot facility near the Sault Star building.

A petition signed by a veritable who's who of the Sault Ste. Marie business community says a Willow Avenue extension is needed to reduce traffic at Great Northern Road and Northern Avenue.

The petition is signed by Steve Rome of Rome's Independent Grocer, Joe Young of Canadian Tire, and representatives of Cambrian Mall, Sault College, Shoppers Drug Mart (Cambrian Mall), the Sault Star and the Group Health Centre.

Here's the full text of the petition:

******************************** Mayor and Members of City Council:

We the undersigned, having business interests and property on or adjacent to Willow Avenue feel very strongly that any development of the M.T.O. property should include an extension of Willow Avenue throuugh this property connecting up with the Old Garden River Road.

This extension would not only alleviate the congestion of traffic at the intersection of Great Northern Road and Northern Avenue, but would facilitate anyone accessing Sault College, Cambrian Mall and the Group Health Centre.

Also, Council should consider the extra traffic that will be generated by the new Hospital and the development of the Big Box property.

We would urge Council to give this matter serious consideration.

******************************** On Monday night, City Council is expected to refer the petition to City staff for review.

Winter Cities Conference

Also on Monday night, City Councillors will be advised that Whitehorse has withdrawn from hosting a meeting of the Winter Cities Forum in January/February 2003 and the Winter Cities Association has expressed interest in having the event in the Soo.

The City would have to pay a $10,000 hosting fee, which could be offset by revenue from a trade show associated with the conference.

Sault Ste. Marie hosted the event in 1991. Anne Martin, president of the Winter Cities Association, attended that conference and says "it still stands out as an example for all host cities to copy."

To receive free, real-time Email updates of SooToday.com's exclusive coverage of local news, just send an Email with "SUBSCRIBE" in the subject line to [email protected].

This free service is provided courtesy of the community-minded businesses whose advertisements appear on these pages.