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KENORA'S SPRUCING UP DOWNTOWN IN A BIG WAY!

Phase I of the big Spruce, Kenora’s Downtown Revitalization project has nearly reached completion and we are excited about the beginning of Phase II. Kenora has never looked as beautiful and vibrant as it does now and the new round-a-bout has proven to be practical and beneficial to our community. If you haven’t take the time to walk downtown now is the time to check out the new look and feel. Rest on one of the many benches and admire the beautification of our downtown
The Summer of 2009 proved to be less disruptive as 2008 and Kenora residents, our summer residents and visitors took the changes in stride and could finally see the benefits to the frustrations of 2008. We hope that everyone is pleased with Phase I of the project and can appreciate the great improvements the City is trying to achieve.
Project Background
The City of Kenora Downtown Revitalization Plan was approved by Council in 2004. Phase I of the project involved the replacement of outdated underground utilities, roadway improvements, landscaping, streetscaping, and parking improvements. This cost of these capital improvements were shared by the Province of Ontario, Government of Canada and City of Kenora.
Phase II of the project has now been approved for funding and will begin shortly. Contracts have been awarded for the works and you will begin to see further changes in the downtown area, specifically, the Harbourfront (Bernier Drive). Although this phase will be less disruptive as far as traffic and road closures, it will have some impact on parking and traffic in that area.
Purpose of Project
The "Port of Kenora" Tourist Attraction Project represents the culmination of over seven years of planning, design and construction work that has gone into the revitalization of the City's Harbourfront and downtown area.
The "Port of Kenora" Tourist Attraction builds upon this legacy by creating a visitor destination that celebrates the historic role of the community, and its unique waterfront location. The infrastructure improvements planned as part of this project will lever significant private sector commercial, retail and residential investment. The key components of the project are:
1. Redevelopment the Main St. and Matheson St. wharves in order to increased access & boat docking, and improve water access, for the Harbourtown Centre and downtown core;

2. Further develop the Harbourfront with landscape and streetscape amenities, making it more pedestrian friendly, and improving its role as a "gathering place" for tourists, visitors and residents;

3. Undertake key infrastructure improvements to the Harbourfront as a venue for special events, such as Canada Day, Harbourfest and Kenora Bass International -and providing new opportunites for the expansion of special events with permanent infrastructure

4. Develop the "Lake of the Woods Plaza" (formerly First St., from Main to Bernier) as a pedestrian linkage from the Harbourfront to the newly redeveloped area on Main St.

Funding Partners:

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