Study looks at potential of waterfront.

The Thunder Bay waterfront is getting some much-deserved attention from the Thunder Bay Port Authority and the city.

Thunder Bay Port Authority is buzzing with activity as increased grain and pulp and paper spur additional shipments.

In spite of the downturn in the forestry sector, business is steady at the the Thunder Bay Port as a third pulp ship was destined for Holland earlier this summer. Workers have not seen that happen in four years, according to CEO Tim V. Heney.

"And there is talk about six ships next year."

The port has been holding its own, shipping 696,871 tonnes of grain in October, compared to 447,028 tonnes over the same period in 2004.

"It is pretty good odds that we can beat last year's figures (4,513,134 tonnes, including rail performance) if everything goes well," Heney says.

Coal is being shipped mostly to steel mills in Ontario and the United States, which are enjoying a strong demand these days. For the most part, coal is railed to the end users, but shipping may be an affordable option if rail proves to be an issue, he says.

The port has been trying to attract new business to the area for a number of years and the resurgence in ship repairs and fabrication within Ontario may signal the industry is turning a corner.

"It would be nice to see something happen. Maybe (what we have to do is) just chip away at it."

Heney is also searching for new tenants for the clear-span 57,000-square-foot heated warehouse with state-of-the-art truck docking, a high-density fire protection system, reinforced concrete floors and an indoor rail connection to Canadian National and Canadian Pacific.

Winnipeg has always been known as a warehousing centre. Much of the goods are transported to Winnipeg then to Thunder Bay. To reduce time and increase profitability, Heney is seeking to attract storage business. "But it is going to take a little time."

[ILLUSTRATION OMITTED]

Equally it will take long-term planning to determine the best use for the Marina Park and Pool 6 property, located on the north side of the waterfront where grain elevators once stood. The city is utilizing Olympia & York consultants for a highest and best use study.

Wardrop Engineering Inc. and Kuch Stephenson Gibson and Malo have been involved in previous studies. They will include their information in the up-to-date plan. Greg Alexander, general manager of community services for Thunder Bay is overseeing the project and expected some feedback from council near the end of November. The report is to be made public by mid-December.

Components in the plan may bring a cluster of residential housing and commercial opportunities along with municipal incentives.

Instead of chasing the funds to build on a grandiose scale Alexander is committed to pointing the project in a practical, positive direction with the help of Ambassadors Thunder Bay, a key group of business investors supporting the initiative.

www.portauthority.thunder-bay.on.ca

By KELLY LOUISEIZE

Northern Ontario Business