GORE BAY—The Town of Gore Bay has had interest from four developers for development of residential housing units in the town.
“We have had four developers approach us about the potential for construction of residential housing units in the downtown area (as part of the community improvement plan for the downtown district),” said Gore Bay Mayor Ron Lane after a council meeting last week. “We had previously identified that we need more residential housing unit buildings in town and our focus area is the downtown district.”
Nicole Divok, administrative assistant, told council at last week’s meeting, “As has been brought forward previously a Gore Bay planning and development task force was established and a development focus area was developed (in 2024).”
The task force was created to develop a comprehensive, action-oriented strategy for sustainable growth while providing council with clear recommendations to guide responsible community development.
In November the task force proposed the creation of the development focus area within a centralized part of town. This area, named the downtown district, encompasses the main downtown streets and core commercial area. The task force believes this designation will strengthen the local business and service sector while providing future residents with convenient access to amenities.
Looking ahead, the downtown district is expected to be the primary focus of a community improvement plan subject to urban design guideline and will be included in a broader neighbourhood plan. Council endorsed the proposal.
In February the task force proposed minor adjustments to the downtown district boundaries, expanding it to include all of Phipps Street and a section of Thorburn Street.
As a result, the revised boundaries of the downtown district are: Water Street (from Purvis Drive including 40 Lighthouse Road #38 to Main Street); Meredith Street (from Main Street to Borron Street); Phipps Street (from Main Street to Borron Street), Thorburn Street (from Borron Street north ending at (but including) the properties at 11 Thorburn Street and 16 Thorburn Street), Eleanor Street (from Water Street to Phipps Street), Dawson Street (from Water Street to Phipps Street), Borron Street (from Water Street to Phipps Street) and including the property at 3 Main Street (Manitoulin Lodge).
Mayor Lane told The Expositor the town is encouraging developers to come forward to potentially construct, “Multi-residents buildings, like the three and four-plex residences that have been built in town.”
Council approved the proposed boundary changes.
