Throughout his six years as Mayor of North Bay, Vic Fedeli hasn't been adverse to making blue sky predictions.
The former marketing executive predicts 2010 will be one of the “greatest years in the city's history.”
Check out the ongoing construction activity in the Gateway City and it certainly shows no sign of abating anytime soon. A diversified local economy has kept North Bay constantly bucking the mainstream economic trends that not even a global recession can touch.
The city issued 76 building permits during August valued at more than $5 million. Tack that onto the year's 485 permits as of mid-September (worth $74.6 million), and the city is close to being on par for its historically-best year in 2008.
Prior to Fedeli's arrival in the mayor's chair in 2003, the 10-year rolling average for construction was $35 million in permits.
Since then, the city's year-to-year numbers have been $75 million, $59 million, $72 million, $77 million and $85 million in 2008.
Considering the economy is in the depths of a worldwide recession, “spectacular” was how Fedeli described the activity.
A big chunk of this year's value is from the $25 million joint Nipissing University-Canadore College Learning Library, now under construction.
North Bay's chief building official Shawn Killins said “construction activity remains very active with a strong push of applications and construction values expected into the fall months.”
Single family homes remain a major driver with 58 permits issued in early September with 10 more applications being processed by the city.
“There is an indication from the home builders that we could potentially receive an additional 10 to 15 applications for homes prior to year's end,” said Killins.
Fedeli pins that on the city's diversified economy for not having to rely on one industry.
He's has been kept busy this spring and summer cutting ribbons for plenty of small business expansions and start-ups.
“We're firing on all cylinders right now.”
Construction in the commercial corridor of McKeown Avenue continues unabated with a new Shoppers Drug Mart and two-storey medical centre going up next to a shiny new Hampton Inn.
The city is spending an unprecedented amount of money on major road reconstruction with $49 million set aside this year, including the reconstruction of the north end of Algonquin Avenue.
A new two-lane traffic roundabout is open at Gormanville Road and College Drive and tenders will be released in mid-September to repave Trout Lake Road.
Last year, the city spent $35 million for road reconstruction, water and sewer upgrades on major arteries in the city.
“It's an unbelievable amount of investment in the infrastructure to prepare the city for when the good times come back,” said Fedeli.
On the quality of life side, the city purchased 80 acres on Lakeshore Drive to build a $9 million outdoor sports complex. Social and affordable housing projects are starting to take off with 117 new units being built in the city, the first to constructed in almost 20 years.
A proposed waterfront hotel and conference centre remains on schedule.
With the assistance of the federal government, Ottawa and the city are spending a combined $300,000 to begin clean-up of the former Kenroc property to make the site ready for development.
Fedeli said no detailed plans have arrived from the Burlington-based Vrancor Group, but he anticipates groundbreaking for the hotel to start in 2010 with the conference hall to follow a year later. Montreal's DCYSA Architects & Design and builders Champlain Development Corporation have been named for the project.
Fedeli said he's often reminded how lucky North Bay has been to welcome so much development.
But luck doesn't factor in the city's growth.
“We knock on doors,” said Fideli.
Instead of “sitting back and waiting” for permit applications to come in, “We hung a shingle out (in 2003) that said the City of North Bay was open for business. We chased companies starting with the Home Depot (arrival) which is a classic example that set the tone.”
Armed with an urban planners' report five years ago, outlining the commercial potential, the city went after the big box retail giant.
“We actually go out and grab'em by the collar and chase them in here.”
The city also pulled a few levers of its own to encourage investment and growth.
North Bay takes pride in having one of the lowest industrial tax rates in all of Ontario. The commercial tax rate is being chipped away by 20 per cent during the past 20 years.
The city was also wildly successful with its Buck-an-Acre program at its dormant Gateway Industrial Park, which resulted manufacturers such as mining supplier Atlas Copco and Goodyear Tire expanding into larger shops.
Municipal staff also formed a DART (Development Application Review Team) group to help streamline and fast-track the city's approval process, something Fedeli calls one of their “real keys to success.”
Next year, Fedeli is trying to ensure the city's airport is named over Toronto and Ottawa to greet the world leaders for next year's G8 summit.
North Bay received $10.2 million from a federal airport assistance fund and a special G8 fund to repave the airport's main 10,000-foot runway and apron.
Though the repaving is finished, it's not a slam dunk that Air Force One will be taxiing up to the terminal any time soon. Fedeli said North Bay remains “in the mix” to be part of the event.
“There are no announcements of any G8 activity in North Bay,” said Fedeli. “We think we have a very strong case that North Bay should be where world leaders first arrive.”
Part of the sales pitch is the runway's long length, its proximity to Huntsville, which is an hour's drive away over, mostly on four-lane highway, the presence of a military installation at CFB North Bay and the uncluttered air space over North Bay.
“Until a formal decision is made, every day we continue to make a case for North Bay with several levels of federal government including (Industry Minister and Parry Sound-Muskoka MP) Tony Clement.”
Fedeli said the runway badly needed upgrading and this past summer's timing of the project was perfect.
With the repaving complete, Fedeli said the city will be actively promoting international air cargo opportunities using trans-polar routes between Asia and North America.
“Now that the runway is done and we're good for 25 years, you'll see us getting aggressive out there.
“The fact that the runway was up in the air for so many years, it was really difficult to get out and do P.R. when we didn't know for sure we'd have a runway to offer (logistics clients).”
A proposed industrial park at Jack Garland is gaining steam with the city developing draft plans outlining lots and streets for the project estimated between $30 and $40 million. Government applications are out for water and sewer funds.
Fedeli said because of the city's investments made in infrastructure this year, North Bay is well-poised for the economic recovery. For outside companies looking to expand in 2010 or are looking for a new home, “we are going to be their first choice, throughout the North.”
Next year looks equally promising in activity. An new Ontario Provincial Police headquarters will be under construction and a huge amount of subdivision work has been approved by the council in three areas of the city at Booth Road, Pearce and Giroux Streets.
The most anticipated project is the completion in the late fall of 2010 of the sprawling $551 million North Bay Regional Health Centre. Staff and patients will move in by January 2011.
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