THUNDER BAY - A business owner in the downtown south core is expressing concerns about the city’s plans to build a temporary shelter village in the neighbourhood, saying there are still a lot of questions that need to be answered.
The plan has identified two possible sites, which includes 100 units at the Kam River Heritage Park at a cost of between $5.9 million and $6.8 million or 80 units in a lot on Miles Street at a cost of between $4 million to $4.3 million. DiPaolo also raised concerns about how the sites will be operated and if laws and bylaws will be enforced.
“Definitely the people are more secure, they are provided heat and hydro, but they are having issues in some of these places where the residents don’t want to move out. So there are questions about the transition period and how they are being taught to transition. Are you setting them up for failure? Business wise, how temporary is it? What is the exit strategy? When is the exit strategy?”