The City of North Bay, located a three and a half hour drive from Toronto, is home to about 56,000 residents.  Situated between Lake Nipissing and Trout Lake, it offers country settings within minutes of the downtown core.  MGP was retained in 2001 to complete a market assessment of the existing supply and identification of future demand for retail and service commercial space in North Bay.  MGP was again retained in 2008 to undertake an update of the market examination and forecasts and to complete  a  review  of  the   commercial

hierarchy and Official Plan policies in light of the current retail trends and growth projections.  The resulting Commercial Strategy Study provides City-wide commercial planning guidelines, including those that recognize the distinct role of the Central Area and its relationship with the waterfront.