Smart Growth

The City of Thunder Bay is inviting residents to help shape the future of public transit through a new Transit Service Optimization Review. As part of this initiative, the City has launched a public survey to gather feedback and identify opportunities to improve transit services across the community.

The City of Thunder Bay is launching an Arena Facility Renewal Strategy to guide the future of the community’s arena network. This work will ensure Thunder Bay’s arenas continue to meet the needs of residents, user groups, and the broader region.

Reconstruction of a portion of Cumberland Street will begin next week and will require road closures for several weeks.

As part of the City’s latest downtown revitalization initiative, the project will introduce extended patio space, decorative concrete, and landscaping to the downtown core.

The City of Thunder Bay is inviting input from the public as it proceeds with work to expand housing and economic development in the Central Avenue area.

The Central Avenue Development Lands project covers 40 hectares (100 acres) of land between Golf Links Road and Balmoral Street.

Thunder Bay residents are being asked for their feedback on the next phase of the city’s waterfront redevelopment at Pool 6.

The Pool 6 property represents a once-in-a-generation opportunity to shape Thunder Bay’s waterfront, building on the success of Prince Arthur’s Landing.

Thunder Bay experienced a strong year for development activity in 2025, with new figures showing a sharp increase in building permit construction value and faster approvals than the provincial standard.

During a presentation to the Growth Standing Committee last week, the Build Thunder Bay team highlighted the 2025 Development Report, which shows $368 million in total construction value (a 64% increase from the previous year), 1,035 building permits issued, and more than 7,600 inspections.

Thunder Bay City Council has officially approved the Smart Growth Action Plan, a comprehensive 10-year plan designed to guide the community toward sustainable growth. The plan sets out more than 100 actions aimed at strengthening the City's tax base, attracting new residents, and building a more connected and complete Thunder Bay.