The usual public meeting can’t happen because of the ongoing pandemic situation. So the city is looking for comments on proposed changes to its Downtown Community Improvement plan via email, telephone or letters dropped off at Timmins City Hall.
Community development planner Dave St. Onge says the 13-year-old plan offers grants for businesses in Timmins, Schumacher and South Porcupine for things like a new façade. It covers half the cost up to a total of $15,000.
He points out that it’s also proposing making the area it applies to in Timmins larger.
“Previously, it was from Mountjoy to Brunette St.,” says St. Onge. “Now we’ve added basically from the bridge all the way to Schumacher, to give other businesses an opportunity to apply for those grants.”
The proposal also looks to make it easier to have apartments on businesses’ second floors, to provide a supplementary income.
“And we can promote the downtown cores for residential development and hopefully get people there and bring back improved business.”
Find out how to provide your input at timmins.ca.