Gore Street and the surrounding area was a safe, family-friendly neighbourhood and centre of robust commercial activity in its day.
Sadly, while homes and businesses are still there, a feeling of decay and corresponding need for revitalization exists, along with a general feeling of concern for public safety as various types of crime have hit the area.
Sault Ste. Marie City Council, at its last regular meeting Monday, approved a resolution put forward by Ward Four City Councillor Rick Niro to look into the possibility of establishing a Sault Ste. Marie Police Service satellite office on Gore Street as a crime deterrent.
The resolution calls for Sault Ste. Marie Police Service Chief Bob Davies to prepare a report on the feasibility of establishing, as a pilot project, a satellite Police office on Gore Street.
That report, outlining the cost involved, is expected to be sent to Council before 2014 budget deliberations.
It should be noted however, that the resolution acknowledges a satellite presence on Gore Street is only one way of addressing crime in the area, as Chief Davies and the local Police Service have recently embarked on a new strategy to address crimes such as prostitution in the surrounding area, in which offenders will be worked with and referred to community agencies to help get prostitutes off the streets.
Niro spoke at length about the pilot project at Monday’s meeting, stating: “Chief Davies is aware of this resolution and has no problem with it.”
Niro added that a satellite Police station in Sudbury has proven to be an effective tool as a crime deterrent.
In other matters concerning Gore Street, Council passed another resolution Monday, also forwarded by Niro, requesting the City’s Building Division ensure all Gore Street property owners comply with the property standards by-law.
The resolution notes that members of the Gore Street business community, in a meeting with the City October 30, not only called for the establishment of a satellite Police station, but also expressed concern that some buildings on Gore Street are in a deteriorating condition and discourage neighbouring properties to reinvest.
After a successful Downtown Development Initiative that included more than $20 million of private sector investment to improve the interior and exterior of many stores, the City is embarking on a Phase II Downtown Development Initiative, with an emphasis on Gore Street.
It is hoped Gore Street business owners will get onboard with incentives offered by the City in Phase II to improve the appearance of their businesses, inside and out.