WINDSOR | Construction - News and Development

[Carlos_x3]

Originally Posted by westerntragedy

http://community.livejournal.com/windsor_visuals/57150.html

I checked them out and they were great, very nice photography.

[Carlos_x3]

TD Canada Trust HQ touted for city core
Dave Hall, The Windsor Star
Tuesday, June 24, 2008

A local developer proposing to build a new downtown headquarters for TD Canada Trust said he believes bank officials are close to choosing between two prospective sites and will make an announcement within a week.

Lou Mikhail of Mikhail Developments said there are "actually three sites on the table but I believe ours and another across the street are the two logical choices from among the three.

"And I fully expect a decision in the near future," said Mikhail.

The Mikhail development would be built on the northeast corner of Ouellette Avenue and Pitt Street -- a parking lot where the former Smith's department store was located.

The other prospective site, on a parcel of land assembled by Petretta Construction, would include the former Royal Bank building on the southeast corner of Pitt and Ouellette, and possibly adjacent retail stores, as well as a building at 25 Pitt St. E., which houses Patrick O'Ryan's Pub.

"I believe our proposal makes more sense because there's no demolition required before construction could begin and we're also proposing both surface and underground parking as part of the development," said Mikhail.

Petretta declined comment Tuesday other than to say "we expect to find out some good news for downtown Windsor later this week."

A third location is rumoured to be a site occupied by the Palace theatre complex on Ouellette at University Avenue West. The new regional headquarters would replace the bank's outdated building at Ouellette and Wyandotte Street.

Despite the optimism shared by both Petretta and Mikhail, a TD Canada Trust spokesman said Tuesday that no announcement is planned in the near future about a new downtown Windsor bank headquarters, despite persistent rumours that such an announcement is imminent.

"I really have nothing to add to what I said months ago when this issue was first raised," said Nick Petter, a corporate communications officer for the bank.

"We are constantly evaluating our real estate needs," said Petter. "I'm not aware of any imminent announcements. Those must be someone else's words."

Chris Ryan, who owns Patrick O'Ryan's, also said he's unaware of any pending announcement.

"I've not heard anything for months," said Ryan who still has five years left on his lease. "And it's getting more disturbing and disruptive than positive for us right now.

"We've built a steady clientele over the years and anything that would cause us to move would create a headache, especially if it's at short notice," said Ryan.

Sounds like TD is for real. I wonder roughly how big there gonna go with the new HQ. I didn't quite understand the Petretta proposal, Royal bank and TD side by side or what?

[arnold]

^
i'm assuming they would knock down the old royal bank building.
and speaking of which, is the Palace theatre building vacant or something? why would they be proposing to buy that plot and knock down that building if its still well occupied? what about the TV station the honest lawyer and the Avalon? are they all gone?

either way, i would love to see some renderings.

[Blitz]

^ The Palace is still showing movies. The "Royal Bank" they're referring to is a building that's been vacant for many years.

[Carlos_x3]

I had it confused with the newer Royal Bank building. I believe the older Royal Bank building is the block with the big souvenir shop? Would be nice to see that get knocked down for a tower. They will be announcing their location of choice this week!

[jodelli]

Originally Posted by Carlos_x3

I had it confused with the newer Royal Bank building. I believe the older Royal Bank building is the block with the big souvenir shop? Would be nice to see that get knocked down for a tower. They will be announcing their location of choice this week!

A development might be on the same scale as the newer Royal Bank building on the Kresge site, which is not a tower. The old Royal Bank property on the SE corner of Pitt and Ouellette includes a building from the 1800's that housed an ATM lobby and some other RBC services. I got a personal tour of that building from a Coco rep when inquiring about a commercial lease in 2003.

[jodelli]

Originally Posted by westerntragedy

...and finally, the Casino Expansion is finished! I compiled three sets of photos that sorta time-lapse the construction progress at the Casino. I'm not going to post them here, since I don't want to overwhelm everyone with a million photos, rather here's a link to the sets on my blog:

http://community.livejournal.com/windsor_visuals/57150.html

My last post on this topic, at least on this thread.

Caesars, complete. June 23, 2008



Also look here toward the bottom of the first post.

[Carlos_x3]

Originally Posted by jodelli

A development might be on the same scale as the newer Royal Bank building on the Kresge site, which is not a tower. The old Royal Bank property on the SE corner of Pitt and Ouellette includes a building from the 1800's that housed an ATM lobby and some other RBC services. I got a personal tour of that building from a Coco rep when inquiring about a commercial lease in 2003.

So only a few stories high then. Whatever happened to the proposed 14 storey office tower which was to include TD HQ's and some other tenants?

Anyway, fireworks were great why not post pics in the ontario section.

[arnold]

the casino looks great in that picture... nice work!

[Blitz]

$900,000 facelift for Windsor gateways

By Doug Williamson,
The Windsor Star
June 27, 2008

Nearly $1-million worth of improvements to major city gateway roads is starting to take place, a long overdue process that city officials hope will create a "vista" for people entering Windsor.

"At the end of the day it'll be a much cleaner approach," said parks director Don Sadler. "We're going to go as far as we can with that funding."

He said $900,000 was budgeted for the measures. The improvements grew out of a brainstorming session last spring among city officials, councillors and local business improvement association representatives looking for ways to spruce up the city's sagging appearance.

The city has placed flower pots in the median area on Dougall Ave. to spruce up the look of the major artery.

It certainly is the right time to do it," said Coun. Drew Dilkens. "The first impression is the most important."

Measures taking place now or are planned include:

--landscaping of embankments on Dougall Avenue between E.C. Row and Tepperman's furniture store, using rocks to create ledges to allow tree planting and landscaping, replacing the former "wild" look of the sites.

--placing flower-filled planters on the median along that stretch, as well as on medians on Howard Avenue.

--ditches along County Road 42 from the city airport to Walker Road have been filled in, allowing landscaping which can then be properly maintained.

--in the fall, 400 mature trees will be planted on Dougall Parkway from the 6th Concession north, lining both sides.

"It's going to be a great way into the city," Dilkens said.

"It's probably going to take us the better part of the summer," Sadler said of the projects other than the Dougall Parkway trees, which have to wait until fall because of extensive roadwork still being done.

He said the intent is to create a colourful appearance "and not concrete and asphalt.

Our attempt is to create a vista. It's a multi-faceted approach."

Tenders have gone out for the trees, and Sadler said he hopes to have Carolinian forest species that are resistant to road salt spray. Fall is a better planting season for mature trees, he said.

"It's a big job, it's just not sticking a tree in the ground."

Two years ago, a public forum was held to get suggestions on improving the look of gateways such as Dougall and Howard, but no recommendations were ever made to council, said Jim Yanchula, manager of urban design and community improvement. He said the loss of two designers and other higher priority projects prevented anything from happening then.

At the time, residents and business owners proposed a variety of measures, including greening of roads and other measures such as installing a high-tech video screen advertising the city and highlighting features.

Two years later, things are starting to happen, but at least one business owner said Friday one of the main problems is still not being addressed.

Taher Abumeeiz, owner of Arcata Pizzeria on Dougall Avenue, still believes pollution from the Zalev Bros. scrapyard is a major problem. You can see rust coloured stains on the road and sidewalks along Howard Avenue as trucks "track out" contaminants.

In addition, truck traffic has increased on Dougall and Abumeeiz said the size of trucks on that stretch should be limited.

He said very few improvements have been done. "All this time there's nothing.

"The truck traffic has increased tremendously on Dougall. If we have a thunderstorm and the light breaks down, God be with you."

Walter Skally, owner of the Ivy Rose Motel on Howard near E.C. Row, said the city should install signs promoting Devonshire Mall and Howard as a shopping district. But he agreed with plans to install planters on the road's medians.

"If they could do something like they're doing on Dougall, that would be beautiful."

[Carlos_x3]

^ To me it sounds like it promotes investment and growth for the suburbs. Well, Dougall to Ouellette downtown will be an even better drive.

[jodelli]

Originally Posted by Carlos_x3

^ To me it sounds like it promotes investment and growth for the suburbs. Well, Dougall to Ouellette downtown will be an even better drive.

These roads need it. The area of Dougall that is getting prettified was in the Windsor suburbs before the amalgamation with part of Sandwich West in the 60s.

As you know the old city boundary is still pretty distinct. Traveling north from the bend at Eugenie one passes from kms of nondescript suburban type roadscape onto the overpass above the CP/Essex Terminal tracks.
Suddenly at the top the change is rather dramatic, and I've heard this from out of towners as well. Ouellette Ave drops down into Jackson Park and a vista including lots of green and a view all the way down the main street to the river and skyline.

They're finally getting around to the boring part.

[jodelli]

Took some pictures Monday.

Originally Posted by Carlos_x3

TD Canada Trust HQ touted for city core
Dave Hall, The Windsor Star
Tuesday, June 24, 2008


The Mikhail development would be built on the northeast corner of Ouellette Avenue and Pitt Street -- a parking lot where the former Smith's department store was located.

The other prospective site, on a parcel of land assembled by Petretta Construction, would include the former Royal Bank building on the southeast corner of Pitt and Ouellette, and possibly adjacent retail stores, as well as a building at 25 Pitt St. E., which houses Patrick O'Ryan's Pub.

Here are both sites, on the left and right corners across the street:


Another view of the Mikhail site:


Here's some other unfinished business. Any ideas?
'Western Anchor':

I'm thinking let's get some 'art' up on that bare AGW wall. And put up a giant anchor in the parking lot across the street.
At least there's a decent bus terminal here now. And the hole has recently been filled in.


Armouries:


Canderel, first floor space under parking deck:



Downtown pan from Hilton garage:

The Salvation Army auditorium in the right foreground is still vacant. The 1920's tan Canada Trust building across the street has seen it's HSBC tenant move out of the main floor. Plus the main floor of the Canderel parking garage at the left of the photo.

[westerntragedy]

Love your panoramas! Tilt-swing lens? Or stitching software?

[jodelli]

Originally Posted by westerntragedy

Love your panoramas! Tilt-swing lens? Or stitching software?

Canon PhotoStitch. Came with the camera. It works better the more shots I take.
Been eying better cameras lately. And tripods that are small but useful.

[Carlos_x3]

Awesome pics, thanks.

I grew up going to the latino church in the old salvation army building, some good memories that go back way into the 80's. I can't believe it's still sitting vacant.

That Caesars tower blends in nice.

[arnold]

nice pics.
its just too bad there are so many 'for lease' signs, empty store fronts and vacant lots around the core. and the ground floor of candrell is still empty? its been finished for half a decade now, you would think they would have gotten something in there by now.

one last thought, it would be a total shame if the new TD building caused the demolition of the old, cream coloured (victorian?) storefronts along ouellette. windsor has done a horrible job of maintaining any of its historic downtown core buildings and to lose some of the few left would be disappointing.

[jodelli]

Originally Posted by arnold

... and the ground floor of candrell is still empty? its been finished for half a decade now, you would think they would have gotten something in there by now.

The office building is full. The open space is about 3/4 of the ground level below the parking garage. A Keg restaurant occupies the NW corner.

The space is the ground floor next to the two parked vans.

[Carlos_x3]

The historic bmo building on ottawa street at walker rd has been knocked down. I seen the pile of rubble today as I drove by

[Blitz]

They made a last-minute attempt to save it but the hands of city council were tied because the building was never on the heritage protection list. It's unfortunate that two historic buildings on Walker Rd have been lost this year.