WINDSOR | Construction - News and Development

[Symz]

Someone brought up a good point which was by joining everything together are they really going to promote people to get outside and walk the streets, livein' them up? What the core really needs is more people, and more people walking from place to place so existing businesses and new businesses can capitalize on that foot traffic. They need to do this right.

[north 42]

I really hope that they put in some nice sitting areas and lanscaping around the building, something that makes you want to walk around the area.

[Symz]

They need to be careful so they don't isolate the western part of downtown where those old heritage houses are. They've been talking for soo long about an urban village type of deal, but if the Aquatics Centre is too big it could have 'the casino effect' where it feels like it seperates more than blends.

[north 42]

^ That's what I'm worried about too, it's such a great area with lots of potential. When I heard that they were closing both streets, I was trying to figure out what effect it would have there. Maybe if they built over one of the roads, that neighbourhood wouldn't become so isolated. I doubt they would tunnel the road though.

[Symz]

I doubt that as well. I'm all for develping that area and I think a new library across from the new bus station and next to the art gallery is good planning. I think having a fun family oriented destination downtown will be good too as the #1 criticism when it comes to downtown is there is nothing for families.

The city has done an excellent job with the riverfront, now they just need to get families, and/or daytime foot traffic to stretch their legs and wander into the core. I'm a little fearful they might be trying to put too many ammenities all into just 1 building though? There are alot of good ideas, but is it good planning to swiss army them all into just the 1 building?

I wasn't able to go to the public open house @ the Hilton where they had a presentation on the Aquatic Centre and were pitching their latest ideas and I wish I could have went.

It's too bad they can't get Mady developments to do something with the empty lot between the art gallery and the Radisson. Thank god the mayor and council got him to atleast fill the damn hole up with dirt and plant some grass after god knows 20 years or so, but it's a prime piece of property and I would like to see it developed as well.

[north 42]

I heard that Fahri bought that lot when he purchased the Radisson. So now he has four riverfront lots in that area. That lot could really be important in integrating these developements to the riverfront. I hope he did buy it, maybe then something will be done with it.

[Symz]

I would like to see more development along Oullette, away from the river, say Wyandotte and south? Too much of our development is strung along the river. Maybe even some development along University or something? That's a major street leading to the core, it would have the capacity.

[north 42]

I think eventually developement will happen away from the river, since there's only so much property left along the Drive to build on. We need more mid rise residential in the heart of the core, as well as highrise. There are gonna be more students and young workers who will want to rent an apartment close to their place of study or work, and there are only so many units available, so new developement will eventually happen.

University Ave. has a lot of potential for developement, since it connects the University to the core, and Wyandotte as well to a lesser extent. West Wyandotte should be officially designated as a china town or asian villiage, as there are already many asian shops and eateries along that stretch. East Wyandotte is already bustling with many middle eastern restaurants and stores, so a designation there as well could really help spur even more developement.

[Symz]

Originally Posted by north 42

I think eventually developement will happen away from the river, since there's only so much property left along the Drive to build on. We need more mid rise residential in the heart of the core, as well as highrise. There are gonna be more students and young workers who will want to rent an apartment close to their place of study or work, and there are only so many units available, so new developement will eventually happen.

University Ave. has a lot of potential for developement, since it connects the University to the core, and Wyandotte as well to a lesser extent. West Wyandotte should be officially designated as a china town or asian villiage, as there are already many asian shops and eateries along that stretch. East Wyandotte is already bustling with many middle eastern restaurants and stores, so a designation there as well could really help spur even more developement.

I agree with you about the china town, why don't they put one of those chinese pogoda things over the road and make it official? I could swear last year the paper ran an article talking about the idea of designating it a china town. I think they should, it basically already is.

It looks like we're seeing some modest growth and investment in the Walkerville, which has great potential too, it's just too bad it's not in the core, but it does share that Wyandotte corridor.


I believe this year, or sometime in the next half year they are finally going to get started on the Riverside Vista project. I've been waiting for this project to start for some time but it was held up for over 2 years due to a class action suit from the people that live on the drive and don't want the road widened with bike lanes since it'll take a small chunk of their frontage, sorry scratch that, the city owns that land in front of their frontage, so what difference does it make? Just greedy people.

Riverside is a busy road and it needs some remodeling and attention, it's not longer that back country Sunday drive road, it's a commuter road as well now.

I also can't wait for the Wyandotte project to begin because the road is a major artery and it really needs sprucing up too.

[north 42]

I love the Riverside Vista project. With the Drive being our most prestegous artery in the city, it should look the part, and be designed well. This project alone will help increase developement all along the riverfront.

As for Old Walkerville, I'm very happy with all the new developements there. I'm anxiously awaiting the opening of the new mexican restaurant going up. I heard they're pouring a tonne of money into it, and with Mark B. being a partner, you know it will be done right.

There are great things going on in the city, they're just spread out in various areas. Downtown growth will happen, starting slowly, but with all the new announcements for the core, it should help it gain momentum.

[north 42]

I would love to hear something about the Walkerville Lofts, they look like they're done, but there is never anyone there anymore. Such a great project, I hope they open soon, it would really be a plus for the neighbourhood. I would be interested to find out what the problem is.

[Symz]

North, check out this small blog article posted in today's Star

http://blogs.windsorstar.com/2011/09/23/empty-lot-blues-filling-in-the-gaps/

[north 42]

Lol, I just got done reading that article. I hope the owner of Vito's plans to put in some residential above whatever commercial developement he has planned for that empty lot, it's in a great location and will be popular, Im sure.

[north 42]

I saw that councillor Valentinis is trying to speed up the demolition of blighted buildings in the area east of the casino. That area is such an eyesore and does nothing to help Windsor's reputation. That part of the downtown should be developed with parks and a mix of brownstones and midrise residential. It's almost a blank canvas now, with one whole block already completely cleared, and half the houses in the rest of the area gone or ready to come down. Plus it's so close to the riverfront and the rest of downtown. I hope they have some vision for this area, I know they're already talking about it now, although I have no idea how far in the process they are.

[Symz]

I want to try out his pizzeria, I've heard really great things about it.

I'm also excited about Mark Boscariol's conversion of that old Walkerville restaurant into a mexican restaurant. Mexican food is one thing Windsor doesn't have a lot of and that's probably because of Mexican-Town in Detroit, but maybe I don't want to go all the way to Detroit just to have mexican food? I know there's the Mexican Grill on Tecumseh near Hall, and they opened another location next to LaGuardia Pizza on Pitt (they used to be in Essex). They're not bad, but Mark B's restaurants usually do pretty well and he keeps clean looking reputable businessess so I have high hopes.

[Symz]

Originally Posted by north 42

I saw that councillor Valentinis is trying to speed up the demolition of blighted buildings in the area east of the casino. That area is such an eyesore and does nothing to help Windsor's reputation. That part of the downtown should be developed with parks and a mix of brownstones and midrise residential. It's almost a blank canvas now, with one whole block already completely cleared, and half the houses in the rest of the area gone or ready to come down. Plus it's so close to the riverfront and the rest of downtown. I hope they have some vision for this area, I know they're already talking about it now, although I have no idea how far in the process they are.

Well, if you remember that Glengary article link I posted a few days back the city is cleaning that area up and the owners of the lots have until Sept 30th to comply with the city's guidlines with respect to their properties in that area, so I guess we'll be hearing more about as time goes by.

Additionally, a number of parking lots in the area do not meet city standards with regard to paving, landscaping and access. This past spring, City Council set a deadline of September 30th, 2013 for parking lots in the area to be brought up to standards, which include surrounding brick walls, iron fencing, decorative stone pillars and pavement instead of gravel and dirt. Designs for the lots will fit into the theme of Caesars Windsor.

The Glengarry-Marentette project, part of a larger initiative to theme the area east of the casino, includes several ideas, proposing initiatives to:

create a “Waterfront Village” area with streetscaping down Louis Avenue
re-establish linkages to the riverfront, Wyandotte commercial area and the City Centre to counteract the imposing separation and isolation by the casino complex
create an area that should have a good mix of residential, commercial, and recreational uses to facilitate pedestrian traffic
create visually appealing street facades along Theme Streets – Glengarry & Aylmer (Civic Ways), Riverside Drive (Scenic Drive), Louis Ave. & Chatham E.
use Residential Rehabilitation Assistance Program funds to help property owners redevelop the area
create streetscaping with coloured concrete with pattern, decorative lights and banners, optional benches and shade trees
encourage shops and services at street level, promoting a lively street life

[north 42]

We just ate at the Mexican Grill downtown and were very dissapointed with it, way over priced for subpar food, we'll never go back. Sangria has pretty good latin food.

Vito's pizza is amazing, I'm due to go back soon, just bought a Groupon for there two weeks ago.

[north 42]

I hope they follow through with these plans, our downtown needs to expand out further to create a strong and livable core. Burnt out crackhouses aren't good for business when they surround the central business district.

[Symz]

Originally Posted by north 42

I hope they follow through with these plans, our downtown needs to expand out further to create a strong and livable core. Burnt out crackhouses aren't good for business when they surround the central business district.

Hehe, so true.

Sry, I had to step out, we were having a good conversation though.

Umm, about the Mexican Grill, well myself and a bunch of co-workers went to Essex location before they moved over to Windsor and myself and girlfriend though it was ok, but nearly everyone we went with didn't like it. /shrug

Either way I'm sure Mark Boscariol will run a decent mexican restaurant I mean look at his success with Chanoso's and Oishi. Too bad he didn't build his new mexican restaurant downtown?

Have you tried out Bozii? We tried it a while back, definately different. The food is wholesome, not processed. They came out with a pulled pork Bozii AFTER we had gone there which sounds good.

The Manchester has really really tasty food.

[north 42]

Love the Manchester, it's literally 5 steps from our front door. Bozii is pretty good for a quick fairly healthy lunch. As for the Mexican Grill, the taco's were pretty good, but the chips and salsa were horrible, no flavour, so was the guacomole. I have high hopes for mark's new place, I'm sure it'll be great.