In June of 2025, the City issued a Call for Proposals and accompanying Media Release indicating the City was seeking proposals for 10 City-owned “Opportunity Sites” for the purposes of development to align with the City’s Growth Vision.
This property was included as an Opportunity Site and has since received development interest that we are currently exploring.
Public Notice - Surplus Lands Proposals
PUBLIC NOTICE - SURPLUS LANDS
Notice is hereby given that the Growth Standing Committee of The Corporation of the City of Thunder Bay will, at its Tuesday November 25, 2025, meeting consider endorsing Administration’s recommendation that the following lands be declared surplus:
(B25) The City’s interest in the vacant property known as 144 Fanshaw Street, being Block L, Plan M325 McIntyre, containing an area of 12,333.19 sq. m (132,753.35 sq. ft.).
(D79) The City’s interest in the vacant property known as 300 Tokio Street, being Lots 81-107 and 113 –125 Plan M37, Part of Lots 108-112 Plan M37, Parts of Closed Junot Avenue, Picton Avenue, Tokio Street and Lanes Plan M37, containing an area of 2.60 ha (6.44 ac).
(E104) The City’s interest in the vacant property known as 791 Arundel St, being Part of Lot C Plan 59 McIntyre S of Arundel St & E of 55R3630 Except Plan 818, containing an area of 3.17 ha (7.82 ac).
(E103) The City’s interest in the vacant property known as 211-223 Tupper St. & 224 Camelot St. being Part Lots 2 & 3 N/S Cameron St Plan Prince Arthur’s Landing McIntyre, containing an area of 2,752.50 sq. m (29,627.58 sq. ft.)
Please note all site areas referred to herein are approximate. For further information regarding any of the lands, please contact or visit the One Stop Development Shop at Victoriaville Civic Centre, 2nd Floor, 111 Syndicate Ave. S, Thunder Bay, ON.
Opportunity Sites - Call for Proposals
Through our recent Call for Proposals, the City invited developers and community builders to bring forward bold, thoughtful ideas that align with our goals for growth, community, and sustainability. The call was open to a wide range of project types, from multi-unit housing and mixed-use developments to innovative urban concepts that enhance the way we live, work, and connect.
The call resulted in over a dozen submissions which were evaluated and scored, resulting in four leading proposals. These four proposals demonstrate creativity, quality, and a commitment to building a city that is more vibrant, connected, and ready for growth.
Below you can see concepts of what the development projects proposed could look like, and find answers to some of the most Frequently Asked Questions about the Call for Proposals and how the City's makes decisions around designating land(s) as surplus.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Surplus means that these lands are either not Municipally required or may be disposed of by the municipality for a specific purpose. As a result, these lands are recommended to be made available for development. The lands will not be listed as for sale as they were promoted as an Opportunity Site through a Call for Proposals.
What kind of development could occur?
If declared surplus, it is intended that these lands would be developed for either multi-residential and/or mixed-use developments with key objectives of encouraging growth, integrated neighbourhoods and to assist with reaching the City’s housing accelerator targets.
- Thunder Bay needs more housing options to meet the needs of residents today and to support a growing population in the years ahead.
- Over 1,228 units are needed in the next 5-years to meet the 2031 medium growth scenario. This number jumps to over 3,275 units in a high growth scenario consistent with the Smart Growth Action Plan.
- The Call for Proposals helps the City reach, and potentially exceed, its ambitious Housing Accelerator Fund (HAF) targets. Doing so would secure the final $5.88 million in HAF installment and generate community benefits through new construction investment, local jobs and long-term property tax revenue.
- Recent reports highlight that the Thunder Bay housing market continues to experience high demand. Thunder Bay remains relatively affordable, but this advantage is under pressure. Rising home prices and limited rental options are making it harder, especially for young people, new residents, and older adults to find suitable housing.
- Urban densification supports the Land Use and Natural Areas targets in the Net-Zero Strategy.
What are the benefits of a multi-residential development?
Multi-residential development benefits everyone, whether it’s for you or your parents looking to change your living situation and stay in a beloved neighbourhood, or for young families and newcomers to Thunder Bay looking to live in a neighbourhood setting.
How will parking and traffic be managed?
- Through site plan control:
- Traffic studies will determine if any offsite improvements are needed. The City’s preliminary review indicates existing roads are expected to accommodate the proposed developments.
- Parking requirements will be confirmed through site plan control and in accordance with the City’s zoning bylaw
What value may be achieved from advancing the Call for Proposal process?
- These four sites could collectively deliver:
- Approx. 1385 new residential units across multiple affordability levels
- Estimated $2M-$3M in land sale revenue
- Approximately $400M in construction investment
When will the public have input?
Through the City’s surplus process, the public will be notified of the surplus recommendation. The public will have the opportunity to submit its questions and/or feedback. All public inquiries and feedback will be included in a report for Council’s consideration during it deliberations. Additionally, there may be opportunity for members of the public to make deputations to Standing Committee – Growth, subject to approval by the Office of the City Clerk.
How will feedback from the public be considered?
The City is providing an opportunity for the public to ask questions and give feedback. Feedback will be summarized in a report and brought to the Growth Standing Committee and ultimately, City Council for further consideration.
Feedback may also be used to:
- change to the extent/boundaries, of the lands being considered for surplus, and/or
- determine potential requirements/conditions to be applied to a sale of the lands.
Why are only 4 of the 10 Opportunity Sites recommended to be moved forward?
- Each submission was scored by the City’s Development Review Committee considering (a) proponent track record, (b) alignment with City housing and growth objectives and (c) addressing community and neighbourhood need.
- Some submissions received did not meet the minimum scoring threshold
- Some properties received no submissions
- The four sites represent strong alignment with Thunder Bay’s growth goals and the best opportunities for early success.
- Applications are still being accepted for the the remaining Opportunity Sites.
- The surplus process for the four identified properties will begin in late October.
- Through that process, the public will have opportunity to ask questions/provide feedback and/or potentially make deputations.
Who makes the decision on if these lands will be surplussed?
City Council makes the final decision on whether to surplus any City-owned land.
How do we know what City Council decides?
If City Council declares the lands as surplus, further public notice will be provided.
Sign up to our Newsletter
Stay up to date on the city's activities, events, programs and operations by subscribing to our eNewsletters.