THUNDER BAY — Exciting developments are underway in Thunder Bay as city officials inch closer to the construction of a massive retail warehouse and gas station on Central Avenue.

Developer Toby Singlehurst, president of Forum Properties, stirred the pot during an interview, cryptically stating he "cannot confirm or deny" if the anticipated project is indeed a Costco.

Following a unanimous vote at Monday's city council meeting, a zoning amendment for the proposed retail site at 1091 Central Ave. was passed, heightening public curiosity about the future tenant.

Speculation has escalated, fueled by similarities between the proposed design and known Costco layouts. However, officials encouraged attendees at a public meeting to refrain from labeling the warehouse as a Costco since the actual brand name wasn’t detailed in the application.

City Mayor Ken Boshcoff weighed in on the buzz, noting that the idea of a Costco at that address remains purely conjecture.

Nevertheless, some in the community voiced their concerns about the development. Three of five deputants at the public meeting expressed worries over increased traffic dangers and potential ecological impact from gasoline leaks threatening the nearby McIntyre River.

One concerned citizen highlighted the notorious congestion along Golf Links Road, stating, "Sure, accidents can happen anywhere, but adding a big box store will increase traffic and risk accidents. It’s inevitable!"

To address these fears, Tyler Rizzuto, project manager at Stantec Engineering, revealed that a thorough traffic study has been conducted, concluding that traffic levels would remain manageable even with a new retail outlet.

City engineering manager Aaron Ward shared reassuring data, stating that existing roads around the area wouldn’t exceed capacity. "Current traffic is about 23,000 vehicles a day, which is well below projected future volumes of 33,000 to 35,000," he explained.

However, improvements are on the horizon. Ward mentioned necessary enhancements such as updated turning lanes, signage, and a traffic light at the Golf Links and Innovation Drive intersection.

Environmental concerns also loomed large, particularly regarding the risk of stormwater runoff potentially carrying gasoline into the McIntyre River. One resident passionately argued, "This site slopes down to the river, raising real worries about contamination from the gas station!"

Ward assured attendees that the new facility would adhere to the city’s stringent stormwater management rules, addressing both the quality and quantity of runoff. He emphasized, "We will ensure oil separators are installed to treat parking lot runoff before it's directed to a stormwater pond for further cleaning."

Singlehurst emphasized his firm’s commitment to due diligence, noting that Forum Properties has invested nearly a million dollars into comprehensive consultant reports for the project.

"Our clients prioritize safety and environmental concerns—everything will be in place to ensure smooth operation at every site they manage," Singlehurst stated confidently.

Looking ahead, Singlehurst outlined that the next steps involve a site plan control process and feasibility study to nail down the project's total cost. He reassured the community, "Once we clear all approvals with the city, construction will commence swiftly!"