WINDSOR | Construction - News and Development

[north 42]

I think it could be a great fit for that site and neighbourhood, since it would possibly include commercial, professional and residential units along University Ave, as well as the church itself at the rear of the property, along with some green space and soccer fields. I really like the idea of making University Ave. a boulevard, like they show in the rendering. The street has enough room for this change, and with the rise of the downtown U of W campuses, and the interaction with the main campus, as well as the possible Penelty Box development down the street, there really could be a major revival of this street. I think this would be much better than a few new homes and a strip mall.

[Blitz]

The drawings look decent. One of the best things about this proposal is turning University Avenue into a boulevard. That street is way too wide for the amount of traffic it carries and more greenery could really help improve the look of that area.

[Symz]

Oh wow, I never saw the concept drawings.

[Symz]

This actually looks pretty decent! I had no idea they released concept drawings yet so I guess I was imagining something else. So far I can work with this.

The idea of having Greek Fest closer to downtown is great.

[Blitz]

There's a community centre fronting along the street and then the church towards the back. Also, the city seems to be developing an obsession with roundabouts which I'm not sure I like.

[north 42]

Yes, much more than just another church. Lets hope the Greek community votes to accept this, as this really could do wonders for University Ave. I wonder how receptive the city would be to turning the street into a boulevard?

[north 42]

Originally Posted by Symz

This actually looks pretty decent! I had no idea they released concept drawings yet so I guess I was imagining something else. So far I can work with this.

The idea of having Greek Fest closer to downtown is great.

Oh yeah, that would be great to move the Greek Festival to that area. University Ave. has so much potential to become a much nicer and more important street that it currently is.

[Symz]

I'm torn on whether or not I like the idea of having a 'gate to the community' concept overhanging the road as shown in right side of the photo where is says 'Welcome to..something' (It's a bit small, can't read it). Anyways, this will be overhanding University Ave. somewhere right? (not sure because boulevarded trees are not shown in that pic).


source: http://blogs.windsorstar.com/2013/02/17/concept-greek-orthodox-community/

[Symz]

I could see this project as being a big boost for University hopefully strengthening the corridor, but at the very least boosting the traffic corridor between Ouellette Ave. to Oak Ave. to the west. Throw in the new Penalty Box restaurant that's supposedly going up in the old Trolley Car building and we're good to go!

Hopefully the same group that is opening the new penalty box restaurant can also get something going with the old Junction building and the old CanAm building immediately adjacent.

This area used to be much more vibrant, I'm honestly surprised that Skippy's has survived..

[Symz]

Here is a quick update on the Aquatic Centre, St. Clair College SportsPlex, and Southwestern Detention Centre


Aquatic Centre
source:http://windsorite.ca/2013/02/downtown-windsor-family-aquatic-centre-construction-week-50/












St. Clair College SportsPlex
source:http://blogs.windsorstar.com/2013/02/15/sportsplex-shaping-up/








Southwestern Detention Centre
source:http://blogs.windsorstar.com/2013/02/15/regional-jail-is-70-per-cent-built/

[Jacob]

I think we should start a strip mall tally. What number are we at now?

A new commercial development, including a Goodwill Industries training centre and retail store, is planned for a mostly vacant piece of property on Tecumseh Road East which previously housed an Elias grocery store.

The development is being proposed by HVM Holdings Inc. of Pain Court and would also include property bordered by Hanna Street, Windsor Avenue and McDougall Avenue where an industrial building and warehouse were recently demolished, according to a site plan application filed with the City of Windsor.

In addition to an A&W Restaurant on the southwest corner of the 216,000-square-foot site, the development is expected to include a Goodwill Industries building and two commercial buildings, one of which will house Maxim Medical Supply which currently occupies a small space on the property.

Read more

It seems like one of the better plaza proposals as of late, the new strip mall on Walker Road and Moxlay still sits mostly empty, however. Interesting that they are planning another A&W when the dust hasn't even settled on the Walker Road restaurant. Also, i don't really care for their food, but that's just me

[Jacob]

Originally Posted by Symz

I'm torn on whether or not I like the idea of having a 'gate to the community' concept overhanging the road as shown in right side of the photo where is says 'Welcome to..something' (It's a bit small, can't read it).

I believe it reads, "Welcome to Athenian Square" It took me a while to decide that, but i am quite certain.

[north 42]

Originally Posted by Jacob

I think we should start a strip mall tally. What number are we at now?



Read more

It seems like one of the better plaza proposals as of late, the new strip mall on Walker Road and Moxlay still sits mostly empty, however. Interesting that they are planning another A&W when the dust hasn't even settled on the Walker Road restaurant. Also, i don't really care for their food, but that's just me

I'm not sure what to think of it, I'll have to see some renderings first. I'm happy that that old industrial brownfield is possibly being developed though, and I'm happy that some development is occurring in the inner city, and not at the edges of the city.
I saw your comment on the article, I knew it had to be from one of us windsor posters

[Symz]

The fact that the development is going to be a strip mall at this location does not really bother me. Tecumseh road is a major road lined with commercial plazas, that's just what it is. Like north42 said I am happy to see a brownfield site rehabilitated with something new. Since Elias has closed that building that sits on part of this site looks a bit shabby anyways.

[Jacob]

I do admit, a strip mall type development is better than what is there, but i hope they do make this a more urban development, we don't need the suburbs slowly moving into the city centre.

[Symz]

I saw construction fencing has gone up around the parking lot area of the old Windsor Star building.

https://maps.google.ca/maps?hl=en&ll=42....iI8_P4l5VxUYGETdQ&cbp=12,298.82,,0,-2.05

I'm glad to see the University's projects will be starting soon.

[Symz]

I saw that jodelli posted some new pictures of the Windsor Star HQ which is STILL a work in progress. Nonetheless though I thought I'd share his photos and show an old comparison shot of that nasty pink stucco facade.

I'm eagerly awaiting the new large screen TV's and time square style ticker that will adorn the corner @ University & Ouellette. I think the Windsor Star is still awaiting some signage on Ouellette as well, near their elevator entrance.

The Snooty Rooster has recently closed citing construction killing their business.

Recently The Green Bean Café has stated they are going to be opening up in the Windsor Star HQ. They will also be occupying the 2 balconies you see on the Ouellette side. They will be serving things like organic foods and fair trade coffee.

http://blogs.windsorstar.com/2013/02/18/green-bean-cafe-to-come-to-downtown-windsor/

Downtown is going to have quite a lot of café's in the radius of a few blocks. Starbucks, Green Bean Café, The Squirrel Cage, Pause Café, Milk, and The Coffee Exchange. Hopefully they can all coexist!


old (old photos are mine)







new photos by jodelli

To the left of the first photo you can see the old Windsor Armouries which will be undergoing a transformation into the new U of W School of Music and Visual Arts.

source:http://www.flickr.com/photos/23056733@N05/8489614877/sizes/l/in/pool-1276583@N25/


source:http://www.flickr.com/photos/23056733@N05/8489614043/sizes/l/in/pool-1276583@N25/


source:http://www.flickr.com/photos/23056733@N05/8489615737/sizes/l/in/pool-1276583@N25/

[north 42]

What an improvement! You almost forget just exactly how hideous this building was.

[Symz]

I miss having Speaker's Corner on the corner there. I know that after they got rid of it London still had their Speaker's Corner. I wonder if they still have theirs, or if Much Music even still has Speaker's Corner in Toronto??

I'm curious if anything is going to move into where the Snooty Rooster is vacating. I like the idea of having a breakfast diner downtown. I know that Biscuit's n' Gravy closed on Pelissier and I'm not sure if The United Grill is open or not? I never see anyone coming or going from that place..

[Symz]

Originally Posted by north 42

What an improvement! You almost forget just exactly how hideous this building was.

I hear ya, I always hated that pink stucco..