The Fort Named Finalist in the “Refocus” Category of the Canadian Brownfield Awards

BMI, in partnership with MTE and Giishkaandago'ikwe Health Services, has been named a finalist at the Canadian Brownfield Awards.

The nomination recognizes the transformation of the Portage Warehouse, located on the south block of the former Fort Frances Paper Mill. A portion of the building has been redeveloped into a modern office for Giishkaandago'ikwe Health, an Indigenous-led organization providing culturally grounded health care.

The project is transforming a legacy industrial site into a place of healing and renewal and we are proud to be recognized for it by the Brownie Awards.

Overview

The Fort Frances paper mill, established in 1912, was once the town’s economic engine before closing in 2014. In 2019, BMI acquired the former mill holdings including the Fort Frances International Bridge.

The mill had stood on the bank of the Rainy River, occupying a significant portion of the town and disconnecting it from the waterfront. In partnership with Scatliff Miller Murray, and in consultation with the Rainy River First Nations, BMI developed a Master Plan for the Town of Fort Frances to restore this vital link, envisioning precincts for recreation, business, health and wellness, and the U.S./Canada gateway.

The specific Master Plan project for this Brownie application focuses on the South Block—3.3 hectares bounded by Sinclair Street and the Rainy River—part of the Wellness Precinct. Historically used as a rail and log handling yard, the site underwent a Phase One and Two Environmental Site Assessment including multiple rounds of soil and groundwater sampling. MTE then oversaw the targeted remediation work including the removal of non-hazardous, impacted soil for off-site disposal to a licenced facility. A Record of Site Condition, filed for residential, parkland, and institutional use was acknowledged by the MECP on April 30, 2025.

In 2025, BMI redeveloped a portion of a building in the South Block, the Portage Warehouse, into a modern office for Giishkaandago’Ikwe Health. This Indigenous-led organization provides culturally grounded health care guided by the elder teachings of the Anishinaabeg. Serving ten Southern Treaty 3 communities, they bring forward a vision of wellness that supports knowledge, empowerment, and lifelong Mino ayawin (good health).

With this project complete and positioned for expansion, the Portage Warehouse is becoming a hub for health services and Indigenous community initiatives, transforming a legacy industrial site into a place of healing and renewal.

Project Team

The Wellness Precinct remediation initiative brought together contributions from many teams and disciplines. Beyond the core BMI team, standout collaborators included: MTE Consultants (Environmental Consultant), Giishkaandago’Ikwe Health (Community Partner), Scattliff Miller Murray (Planner), and George Armstrong Construction (Remediation and Construction Contractor)

Outstanding Individuals Who Supported On-Site Efforts:

• Mitch Lepage – Site Supervisor (BMI)

• Carol Mitchell – QPESA (MTE)

• Kayla Caul-Chartier – Community Partner (Giishkaandago’Ikwe Health)

Awards

Founded in 2001 by the Canadian Urban Institute, the Brownie Awards recognize the innovative efforts of professionals who rehabilitate sites that were once contaminated, under-utilized, and undeveloped by remaking them into productive residential and commercial projects that contribute to the growth of healthy communities across Canada.

As an annual celebration recognizing excellence in the remediation and redevelopment of brownfield sites across Canada, the Brownie Awards are presented proudly in partnership by the Canadian Brownfields Network and Actual Media.

Refocus Category

BMI is is nominated in the 'refocus category' which highlights a project that:

• Uses alternative lenses to see remediation and redevelopment from different perspectives other than economic and environmental ones, in alignment with broader social initiatives and mandates.

• Shows improvement towards affordable housing, healthy communities, climate resiliency, and/or diversity and inclusion.