Willow Avenue extension rejected

A blue-ribbon group of Sault business leaders has lost its bid to have Willow Avenue extended through to Old Garden River Road.

Monday night, City Council was presented with a petition signed by Steve Rome of Rome's Independent Grocer, Joe Young of Canadian Tire, as well as representatives of Cambrian Mall, Sault College, Shoppers Drug Mart (Cambrian Mall), the Sault Star and the Group Health Centre.

The business leaders called for Willow Avenue to be extended when Multi-Channel Communications Inc. (MCCI) is allowed to build its new E-commerce centre on the former MTO property.

The extension is needed to reduce traffic at Great Northern Road and Northern Avenue, they said.

Pine Street preferred

Unfortunately, Monday was also the day on which the City was presented with an inch-thick transportation planning study that recommended Pine Street be extended between Northern and Second Line, sometime in 2008.

Councillor Pat Mick was originally prepared to ask that the business proposal be considered by City staff, but after reviewing the comprehensive study she decided in favour of the Pine Street extension and withdrew her motion.

Without anyone to champion it, the Willow Avenue extension died.

MCCI gets $3 million

The MCCI E-commerce venture is far from dead, however. The company's plan to generate 600 jobs in a new facility near the Sault Star building got a shot in the arm Monday when Ontario Northern Mines and Development Minister Dan Newman announced a $3 million commitment that was essential for the project to proceed.

Other news from City Council:

- Councillor Derik Brandt was asking whether the city's new truck route could be restricted to trucks only, and whether it could be a toll road. City staff are investigating.

- The city has granted a permanent rezoning request from Avery Brothers Ltd. The company's property on Second Line West is now zoned "heavy industrial with a special exception."

- Shirley Dacey will receive a $200 municipal grant toward the cost of competing in the World Masters Swimming Championship. The event takes place March 24-April 4 in New Zealand.

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