Thunder Bay Transit to remain at city hall

Superior Morning5:58Gil Labine - City Hall Bus Depot

Heated debate at Thunder Bay city council as the location for the south core transit terminal was on the agenda. Gil Labine vehemently opposes that decision.

After hours of discussion, city councillors in Thunder Bay voted Monday night to keep city hall as the south core transit hub.

The discussion for much of the night focussed aroundcrime and social issues found in the south core.

"We've spent an enormous amount of time not talking about transit," said Coun. Andrew Foulds, just before the vote took place."This report is about transit and providing the best service. This location provides the best service to our citizens."

Two lawyers, who have offices across the street from city hall opposed making city hall the permanent south core transit hub.

Gil Labine and Chris Arnone, partners at AtwoodLabineLLP, said the terminal at city hall has created a safety concern for their staff and clients.

"It's a contributing factor, a significant contributing factor. When you factor in Shelter House, the John Howard Society, and then a bus hub in that area, it all contributes to the ghettoization of this area," said Labine.

Labine pointed to the fact that a body was found beside his business this winter, and he sees regular substance abuse outside of his office window.

"You want to try to explain why businesses are folding and leaving this area? Why residents don't live in this area anymore?"

While council voted 6-5 in the end to keep the transit terminal at city hall, many councillorsalso vocalized their opposition.

Coun. Joe Virdiramo said he felt administration should have given council another potential location, where the south core transit hub could be re-located.

"It was a pretty easy, a pretty easy choice, because it's already here. A pretty easy decision for a consultant, for whomever, because it's already here."

Administration said it originally looked at other locations, including at Miles and Violet Streets, and along Simpson Street, but those locations lacked amenities, and were deemed inappropriate.

Councillors Linda Rydholm and Shelby Ch'ng were absent from the Monday night meeting, meaning they did not vote on the issue.

Councillors who supported keeping the terminal at city hall were: Mayor Keith Hobbs, Andrew Foulds, Iain Angus, Paul Pugh, Rebecca Johnson and Trevor Giertuga.

Councillors who opposed keeping the terminal at city hall wereFrank Pullia, Larry Hebert, Joe Virdiramo, Aldo Ruberto and Brian McKinnon.

The issue is not settled yet, as the resolution still needs to be ratified, in a votescheduledforMay 30.