WINDSOR | Construction - News and Development

[Chadillaccc]

Wow are they ever moving fast!!!

[Symz]

Originally Posted by Chadillaccc

Wow are they ever moving fast!!!

It doesn't feel like it! There has been a heavy operators strike for the past 2 weeks. I'm not sure if it dramatically effected this project, but I know it has effectively ground a lot of other projects in the Windsor area to a halt.

[north 42]

It looks like the strike will be over tomorrow, if everything goes well. They're recommending that they accept this latest offer, so hopefully everybody get's back to work.

[Symz]

This is an updated picture of the aquatic centre from the city's website. I noticed a few changes.

source: http://www.citywindsor.ca/mayorandcouncil/Family-Aquatic-Complex/Pages/Family-Aquatic-Complex.aspx



here is a previous render



You can notice the large Windsor moniker is gone from the recent rendering, the large box feature at the Church and Chatham corner is now blue/grey, and there has been some changes to the cladding between the windows with a random pattern. It seems there is also some dark grey brick covering the building in some places, like below the area where it did say Windsor and as well near the corner at the front door. So it looks like they were still finicking with the design.

[Symz]

New business opening on Maiden Lane

source:http://www.ourwindsor.ca/2012/06/the-squirrel-cage-opening-soon-on-maiden-lane/

The Squirrel Cage opening soon on Maiden Lane

There’s a breath of fresh air blowing down Maiden Lane in Downtown Windsor this spring! John Ansell and Steven Thompson, recently arrived from Toronto, have purchased the building at 1 Maiden Lane West and have been busy giving it a complete makeover. Work is almost complete and they will soon open The Squirrel Cage, Windsor’s hot new place to dine and see and be seen.

Bubbling with enthusiasm, they can’t say enough about the warm welcome Windsor has given them. “We are so pleased that we decided to relocate here. What a fabulous place to live and run a business,” said Ansell.

“Between the weather, the cost of living, the waterfront, festivals too numerous to count, the vibrant restaurant scene, the amazing Detroit skyline, the availability of local produce and the people we found Windsor simply irresistable,” he continued. “We love the pace of life here and the fact that people still say hello on the street. You have all the advantages of a big city with the appeal and friendliness of a small town.”

Formerly in real estate, Ansell knew a great deal when he saw one. Renovations on the building are almost complete and the results are simply stunning. The couple currently resides on the second floor and are busy with the finishing touches in the restaurant space on the main floor. Sleek modern white chairs are accompanied by glass-topped tables made of reclaimed wood from the Distillery District in Toronto as well as from an old barn. “We actually traded a bottle of scotch for the pieces from the barn,” Ansell confided with a grin. The walls will soon be covered with works from local artists and there are plans for a patio out front.

“We’re hoping to bring a bit of Yorkdale flair to the street,” said Thompson, a fan of the Windsor Essex area since his mother relocated here. “The menu will be simple with a strong emphasis on local ingredients. Coffee and pastries will be available for breakfast and we will be serving soups, salads and paninis for lunch and dinner,” he continued. “We are also working on plans to feature items like tapas and will be adding brunch to the mix.”

When asked about the rather unusual name of the establishment the couple explained, “We wanted something fun and unpretentious that had that ‘retro feel’. Squirrel cage is a nickname for old style filament light bulbs and we thought it was a great fit, especially for this street. We think Maiden Lane could be a real showpiece downtown…a place where urban vibe meets creativity to make a space that draws people in and encourages them to stay!”

Welcome to Windsor gentlemen. That breeze you’re blowing just might turn into the winds of change.

For more info on opening date follow The Squirrel Cage on Facebook.

[cbyrne2014]

What a refreshing story!

[north 42]

Originally Posted by cbyrne2014

What a refreshing story!

I'm excited to see Maiden Lane have businesses on it again, sounds like a great place. I was just talking to the two guys opening the cafe yesterday, I live less than a minute away. They were really great and I wish them luck. My husband and I will definatly visit the place as we always try to patronize gay owned businesses that are cute.

Great to see another business added to our core, and great to see folks from out of town invest in our city and see the potential in our downtown!

[Symz]

Originally Posted by north 42

My husband and I will definatly visit the place as we always try to patronize gay owned businesses that are cute.

That seems like such an odd comment to make instead of saying something like 'we always try to patronize local businesses' or something like that.

Here is a small update on the Palace. I also went downtown and saw they had removed 1 side of the Palace sign on Oullette. When we finished lunch we saw them working on the other side so it looks like the exteriors is coming off real soon.

I also noticed a Greek Pita place closed on Oullette next to Shawarma Palace but instantly there opened up a prime rib burger place in it's place.

Photos from the Windsor Star from earlier this morning.
source: http://www.windsorstar.com/Windsor+Pictures/6750780/story.html

[north 42]

Originally Posted by Symz

That seems like such an odd comment to make instead of saying something like 'we always try to patronize local businesses' or something like that.

Here is a small update on the Palace. I also went downtown and saw they had removed 1 side of the Palace sign on Oullette. When we finished lunch we saw them working on the other side so it looks like the exteriors is coming off real soon.

I also noticed a Greek Pita place closed on Oullette next to Shawarma Palace but instantly there opened up a prime rib burger place in it's place.

Photos from the Windsor Star from earlier this morning.
source: http://www.windsorstar.com/Windsor+Pictures/6750780/story.html

Why would you think it's odd? We patronize many businesses in the core as we believe we should support the places that are in our neighbourhood, and being a gay couple, we try to support establishments that are also owned by gays as well.

[Symz]

Originally Posted by north 42

Why would you think it's odd? We patronize many businesses in the core as we believe we should support the places that are in our neighbourhood, and being a gay couple, we try to support establishments that are also owned by gays as well.

Well in my comment I said I found it odd you didn't just say 'we try patronize all local businesses'. The way it came out, instead of saying you support local business it seemed like you specifically pointed out they were gay and then it seemed you worded it like you make an extra effort to support local businesses ran by gay people'.

I guess it was just a case of how words are interpreted on the internet.

[Symz]

Should Windsor build a new city hall? I find our current one is ugly and dated looking.

I also find it ironic given all the hoopla over the construction and cost of the 400 building by the public and the audit that followed that now the mayor is saying it was a mistake to not make the building bigger so they could consolidate more services. They should have just spent the extra money at the time and done the building right the first time.


source: http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/windsor/story/2012/06/08/wdr-new-city-hall.html

Windsor City Council will have to decide whether to build a new city hall when it tackles the capital works budget later this month.

Councillors will receive their copies of the proposed $89-million budget Friday.

The capital works budget includes money for projects such as road and sewer improvements. There is also $12 million directed towards either improvements to the existing Windsor City Hall at 350 City Hall Square or a new building.

Estimates place the cost of a new city hall at about $30 million on the existing site. It's a project that's been discussed for years.

Mayor Eddie Francis doesn't believe spending money on improving the existing city hall is a good investment. The old building is full of asbestos, he said. But he said it's a decision council will have to make.

"With regards whether or not they proceed with the standalone option, it'll be subject to a business case coming back and that business case will look at potential partners as well as how to finance it," the mayor said.

Francis admitted council made a mistake when it didn't add two floors to the nearby 400 government building to accommodate city services.

The other key project council with debate is spending money to help alleviate basement flooding in parts of the city.

"The city administration will recommend a citywide downspout disconnection program investment of close to $3 million ... as a beginning," Francis said.

Council will deal with the capital works budget on June 18.

[north 42]

Originally Posted by Symz

Well in my comment I said I found it odd you didn't just say 'we try patronize all local businesses'. The way it came out, instead of saying you support local business it seemed like you specifically pointed out they were gay and then it seemed you worded it like you make an extra effort to support local businesses ran by gay people'.

I guess it was just a case of how words are interpreted on the internet.

Yeah, we try to support any business in our neighbourhood we find interesting, and with this new cafe being opened up by a gay couple from Toronto, we naturally are happy to have them in town and hope they feel welcome. With both of us being gay couples, we already have something in common, which is nice since we live around the corner and will most likely frequent their cafe often. Sorry to cause confusion with my first statement, It wasn't meant to come across that way, we have just as many straight friends as we do gay.

[Symz]

Originally Posted by north 42

Yeah, we try to support any business in our neighbourhood we find interesting, and with this new cafe being opened up by a gay couple from Toronto, we naturally are happy to have them in town and hope they feel welcome. With both of us being gay couples, we already have something in common, which is nice since we live around the corner and will most likely frequent their cafe often. Sorry to cause confusion with my first statement, It wasn't meant to come across that way, we have just as many straight friends as we do gay.

Ah ok, I had no idea you were gay yourself. That clears up the wording a bit as well.

I have a quick question and since you live downtown maybe you've been there. My question is have you ever been to Sangria? On Pelissier? I'm curious about that place, if they have a menu, serve lunch, dinner? Is it a bar?

[north 42]

Originally Posted by Symz

Ah ok, I had no idea you were gay yourself. That clears up the wording a bit as well.

I have a quick question and since you live downtown maybe you've been there. My question is have you ever been to Sangria? On Pelissier? I'm curious about that place, if they have a menu, serve lunch, dinner? Is it a bar?

Yes, and it used to be good last year, but they changed the menu and the food was not great at all, we haven't been back since. Too bad though, I was hoping that they would do well.They used to have both lunch and dinner, and it seemed to turn into more of a bar as it got later. I would probably try it again to see how it is now, just to give them another chance.

[Symz]

I saw something going on the west side of the intersection of Ouellette & Ellis or Ouellette & Montrose, not sure. There was a construction fence up and I briefly saw the billboard showing the planed expansion of the building which is currently a house (probably with a law office in it or something). No pictures yet.

[north 42]

Originally Posted by Symz

I saw something going on the west side of the intersection of Ouellette & Ellis or Ouellette & Montrose, not sure. There was a construction fence up and I briefly saw the billboard showing the planed expansion of the building which is currently a house (probably with a law office in it or something). No pictures yet.

Yeah, it looks like the two houses next to each other on that corner are being renovated into one combined space for some sort of offices. The rendering has the two buildings completely connected into one space.
It's nice to see some investment happening further down along Ouellette as well as downtown.

[Riversideguy]

I went downtown today for a bite to east and saw workers removing the stucco from the front of the Palace. Almost one whole section was down by the time I finished eating.

[Symz]

Originally Posted by north 42

Yeah, it looks like the two houses next to each other on that corner are being renovated into one combined space for some sort of offices. The rendering has the two buildings completely connected into one space.
It's nice to see some investment happening further down along Ouellette as well as downtown.

Was I somewhat right with the location? I want to check it out when I have some time this week.

[RoseCityFreePress]

With the announcement of the new bridge coming friday, Windsor is about to get the National spotlight shined on us once again. So when it comes to the bidge, the most important question must be asked.... what will we name it

[north 42]

Originally Posted by Symz

Was I somewhat right with the location? I want to check it out when I have some time this week.

Yeah, I think it's Montrose, the same corner where the plaza that has Domino's Pizza in it.