It has the potential to be a wonderful place to raise a family. It is over a thousand feet above sea level, and due to its location, is hurricane free. It has over two miles of solid bedrock, resulting in a seismically sound zone. (No earth-quake zones) The landscape is gorgeous, and our lakes and woods are abound with fish & wildlife! The fact that our winters freeze every year, prevents any venomous snakes, deadly spiders and other types of poisonous insects from being able to survive.
The nickname for our district is called "Sunset Country", and for good reason; tourists from all over North America come to hunt and fish. Tourism is a major industry, and the fact that Fort Frances is a border-town, creates an entry point for our American cousins. During the summer months, the line-up to enter into the Unites States, can be over 2 hours long at times!
The potential for industry, and opportunities for businesses are nearly endless.
However...
When you drive down-town, take note of the multiple buildings that are closed!
I would say, take a trip across the town; but that is an exercise in both patience and for-knowledge of the multitude of road repairs and dead-ends!
Even when the town doesn't resemble one big obstacle course;
"Fort Frances drivers" can give the most loving grandma, road-rage!
"Fort Frances drivers" can give the most loving grandma, road-rage!
How quickly I can digress....
Once upon a time, Scott Street was a bustling hub of activity! The multitude of small companies clustered on both sides of the street for several blocks. There was a literal throng of hotels, bars, banks, small stores, a movie house, and the list goes on.
I counted this summer, while I was driving down the street, how many buildings are shuttered. A disheartening count of 1 in 3 buildings lie decaying from lack of use! Rental signs hang in the windows of what were once busy store fronts. In my search, I noticed that almost every other company that once graced our main street, has been transformed from its original state, only to close soon after!
The Rainy Lake hotel is closed, and is considered a "Heritage building"; and while Federal money could easily restore the building to its original glory, no one seems to wish to take on the task.. The movie theatre, was turned into a night club, only to be shuttered, soon after. An Internet café, and two flower shops are the latest victims to close their doors.
The only real industry in the town, is the local pulp and paper mill. The lofting clouds roll from its stacks day and night! If it weren't for the paper mill however; Fort Frances would be a ghost town! Unfortunately, this large industry is located inconveniently on the southern-most part of the town, and requires all the large vehicles to roll through the main streets of the town! This constant pounding of the pavement starts at 5:30 am, with the pulp trucks roaring past, engine brakes screaming, and continues until suppertime.
The constant abuse by the large industrial vehicle on the highways take it's toll! The streets of the town are pitiful! Many large holes and cracks dominate most of the streets and avenues!
Then, there's the flawed "under-pass". Constructed in the 1950s, the "hole-in-the-ground", that connects the North-end of town to the rest, is a nightmare to maintain! Fort Frances is built largely on marsh-land, and has frequent problems during the heavy rainstorms, that have aptly brought about the name; "Rainy River District"! Anytime there is a decent amount of rain, the underpass floods, since the water must be pumped out manually into the storm sewers! Many a motorist finds themselves having to abandon their vehicles in such occasions.
The streets of Fort Frances are clogged with road repairs, but there seems to be no rush to the numerous projects! For two years, North-end residents have been forced to wait at the only rail-crossing left, once regular traffic is shut down to fix the "under-pass"! This would normally not be a problem, however, CN, use the crossing as a switch yard! I have personally been stopped for over half an hour MANY TIMES while some train sits idle in the middle of the highway!
Why the town doesn't step in, and order the trains
to not hold up traffic
any longer than they have to, is totally beyond me.
to not hold up traffic
any longer than they have to, is totally beyond me.
Don't get me wrong; there needs to be road repairs during the summer months. Things need to be fixed. For some reason, however, those performing the repairs are allowed to tear up huge sections of road, and then leave them, with the machinery unmoving for weeks at a time; while the whole construction company finishes other projects!! I personally find this appalling, and unprofessional!
The superfluous stop lights in the town hinder traffic, rather than effectively direct it! There are too many instances of poorly timed lights, and erroneous four-way stops! Traffic crawls. It is near impossible to cross the town, without seeing numerous traffic violations due to the problems with the design of Fort Frances streets! Passing on the right of left-turning traffic, is a common one; while most "Fort Frances drivers" travel in the turning lane!
The traffic situation is only one aspect of the town's poorly planned infrastructure!
For youths who wish to do something other than shuffle their IPods or chat with friends online, there is a "Skate park" available. Those trying to get to the facility will quickly find themselves frustrated, since, there is no path to the park itself! Anyone on roller blades (for example) must cross 50 feet of grass before getting to the cement structures. The sidewalks in the town are in deplorable shape, and sometimes non-existent! There are many instances of the sidewalks on one side of the street, forcing those walking / blading / etc to cross traffic, merely to have a solid surface to use! Too narrow to properly use, there are numerous instances of those using the sidewalks having to step onto the grass to make way for others, since only two people may walk side-by-side at a time! If you have three people in your group, you must either walk single file, or someone must lag behind!
There are solutions to many of the problems plaguing Fort Frances!
Firstly; there needs to be a truck route around the town, with an appropriate route to the mill!
A large artery of smooth asphalt from one end of town to the other, is needed for rollarblading / bikes, and pedestrians, with many smaller veins leading to key parts of the town.
The streets need to be "fourlaned" from one end of town to the other, with Yields replacing the Stop signs. Removal of superfluous traffic-lights is a must!
Fix the streets! When hiring road repair companies, insist that they work 7 days a week! Any day passing with no progress should result in a fine to the company. Early deadlines should receive a bonus.
Build an overpass at McIrvine road, and force CN to pay for it! That way, there is a reliable means to get to the North end of town.
Base property taxes on the upkeep of land and buildings; those that spend time to beatify their yard or keep their businesses in good repair, should receive tax breaks. Penalize those that refuse to clean up the yard, and maintain the buildings on the property.
Lastly; encourage new companies to come to Fort Frances! Subsidize projects, that better the town, and offer tax breaks to new businesses. Develop infrastructure that creates cheap energy, and pass on the savings to every resident and company in town!
Try to bring in research companies and at least one more large industry!
Only then; will the town vault itself into the future.