Retail projects spark space struggles in Timmins' west end; Infrastructure projects underway to service more space.

• Author: Stewart, Nick
• Position: TIMMINS

The sheer popularity of retail opportunities in the Timmins area is leaving fewer and fewer options for the many companies interested in setting up shop, forcing officials to consider infrastructure expansion.

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As an example of the explosive sectoral growth of the Timmins' West End, local officials have approved nearly 800,000 square feet of commercial space throughout the city over the last four years. Of that total, 685,000 square feet was approved in the west end of the city.

This has led to the a lack of availability of serviced lots along popular stretches of road, particularly the main Riverside Drive / Algonquin Boulevard corridor.

Given that many companies have standardized space requirements for new construction, this is hampering outside chains and companies that want to establish frontage on the main road, says Mark Jensen, director of development, maintenance and transit services with the City of Timmins.

"The big box stores keep wanting a piece of the main road, but Timmins can't go on forever," says Jensen.

"Plus it's very expensive to service that stretch versus servicing a more compact area."

As a result, the city has had to strongly consider increasing the infrastructure capabilities in that area. One project already in the works is the addition of a new sanitary sewer line northwards from McBride Street and westwards from Camille Street. This $3 million project is expected to wrap up in the spring of 2009, creating more development opportunities to infill open spaces to the rear of the Timmins Square, where the city hopes to create a new road network.

Mayor Tom Laughren anticipates that the move will open up as much as 30 acres for development

It will also allow for the completion of other development projects nearby, including an additional 11 acres of impending development by the Home Depot and Canadian Tire lot.

"We've probably stretched our resources far enough to the west, so we're going to try and do as much infill as we can," Laughren says.

Other projects geared towards alleviating development pains include a $600,000 initiative to reduce storm water flow into the sewer system and a $17.5 million upgrade to the water filtration system.

Money has also been set aside to improve local road systems, with $5 million earmarked for 2008.

This type of work has become absolutely necessary for further retail growth, Jensen says. Prime areas of land have already been consumed by various big-name retail...