WINDSOR | Construction - News and Development

[Border City Boy]

Happy, welcome....

As for the building, I know it. It's kind of a dumpy/run down looking thing. It's right beside the McDonalds on College just west of Huron Church.

As for who moving in? It is a management company who's going to be doing work for HP. However, before you get too excited it's just going to be a call centre.

Much like BBDO is running a call centre for Daimler Chrysler out of the old Green Shield building on Gilles, this will be a similar set up for HP.

[arnold]

^
the jobs might not exactly be downtown, but i'm willing to bet that at least some of the employees will spend some of their paycheques down there... so that's a bonus.

its good to see development or job creation in the university area.

[y2k_pony]

I've got tickets to game 6, I think I will take the bus as well. seems like the easiest way to get across the border. Plus you dont have to pay an arm and a leg for parking.

[upinottawa]

500 jobs is better than -500 jobs. That being said, I hope Windsor is not getting sucked into the call centre trap. Windsor does not need to become the Moncton of the South....

A decent number of my undergrad friends from UWO took call centre jobs in London upon graduation. Call centres and temp agencies were the only places hiring in London at that time. From what I understand, call centres are not great places to work.

[upinottawa]

Transit Windsor has reached an agreement on transfers with DDOT and SMART.

http://www.citywindsor.ca/000810.asp?id=2304

This is certainly an idea whose time has come. The "international transfers" would be used more often if Windsor-Essex/Metro Detroit had an effective international rail based transit system. Regardless, this is a step in the right direction.

Transit Windsor, DDOT And SMART Form International Transfer

Transit Windsor, DDOT and SMART have partnered to develop a single transfer system for bus passengers traveling between Detroit and Windsor. In the past, customers traveling between the two countries could not use transfers between the different systems.

For Transit Windsor customers, the transfer will allow rides on DDOT and SMART at no additional cost on fixed route services. For DDOT and SMART customers, the transfer will allow a fifty-cent reduction on the Transit Windsor tunnel bus fare. Passengers wanting to continue to travel on participating transit systems, should request a transfer slip when boarding the first transit bus. Only one transfer issued per person at time of boarding with each full paid fare.

The six-month pilot project is effective October 30, 2006 until April 30, 2007 and will be assessed during this period.
“This is the first international transfer program between the U.S. and Canada and it’s been a long time coming,” said SMART General Manager Dan Dirks.

Norm White, DDOT Director said it will make international travel much easier.

“Transit Windsor is extremely pleased to offer this added value for our tunnel bus passengers,” added Councillor Joyce Zuk, Chair of the Transit Windsor board, “and we look forward to building a strong relationship with our neighbouring international transit systems.”

SMART (Suburban Mobility Authority for Regional Transportation) is the suburban transit system for Southeast Michigan providing 11 million rides annually for commuters, entry-level workers, senior citizens and people with disabilities. Additional SMART information can be found at www.smartbus.org or by calling 866.962.5515.

DDOT (Detroit Department of Transportation) is the largest transit carrier in the state of Michigan, carrying approximately 40 million passengers annually. DDOT employs approximately 1500 people, has a fleet of 550 buses and operates 44 fully accessible fixed-route bus lines. Additional DDOT information can be found at www.ridedetroittransit.com or by calling 313.933.1300.

Transit Windsor provides public transportation to the City of Windsor, as well as direct service to downtown Detroit, Comerica Park and Ford Field via the Windsor-Detroit tunnel. Additional services include charters; a full-service maintenance department; fully accessible service (on specific routes); and extra service for secondary school students and seniors. Tunnel bus services depart from the Windsor downtown bus terminal at 44 University Avenue East. Proof of citizenship is required when crossing the international Windsor-Detroit tunnel. Additional Transit Windsor information may be found at www.citywindsor.ca/transitwindsor or by calling 519.944.4111.

-30-

Contact:
Jan O’Neil
Sales & Marketing Manager
519.255.6100 x6630
joneil@city.windsor.on.ca

[Exodus]

I don't understand why Windsor is so underrated. It obviously has a lot going for it skyline wise and economic wise.

[Blitz]

The being next to Detroit thing is what scares away most Canadians.

[upinottawa]

Covered tunnel mulled for border
Cut-and-cover style among options for Huron Church Road

Dave Battagello, Windsor Star
Published: Monday, October 30, 2006

A push by Windsor residents to build a tunnel under the Huron Church-Talbot roads corridor to handle border traffic has been heard loud and clear, say project managers involved in determining its feasibility.

But early soil testing, the prospect of massive ventilation towers, potential high costs and property restrictions have left the Detroit River International Crossing (DRIC) study team wondering whether its doable.

With a decision already determined on the location of the next bridge -- somewhere on Windsor's west end -- access roads to the crossing have emerged as DRIC's biggest problem, said Len Kozachuk, deputy project manager.

"We are trying to find a balance of getting the transportation problems solved and respecting the needs of the community," he said."Whatever we decide will be here for a long time so it's important to do it right."

South Windsor and LaSalle residents near the Huron Church corridor are fearful DRIC will simply widen the existing road, adding more traffic.

With DRIC projecting a 128 per cent increase of trucks using the Windsor-Detroit corridor within the next 30 years, residents are angry that will lead to a greater environmental problems and drop in property values -- reasons behind their push for a tunnel.

But soil conditions and a high water table have already forced DRIC to rule out a bored tunnel. It must instead be what's known as cut and cover -- essentially a trench road with a roof thrown on top.

It's similar to what's used by a handful of expressways in the Detroit area -- notably on the Lodge freeway near Joe Louis Arena and on I-696 in Southfield.

The longest possible stretch a covered tunnel can use natural ventilation is 100 to 200 metres, Kozachuk said.

Anything more lengthy covering a larger portion of the six-kilometre stretch between the end of Highway 401 and E.C. Row Expressway would require between one to three massive ventilation towers -- up to 18 stories high and nearly 100 metres long, he said.

The University Avenue structure downtown near the bus station used for the Windsor-Detroit tunnel is one such example.

DRIC has narrowed the bridge crossing to one of three west-end locations -- either at Sterling Fuels near Watkins Avenue or on either side of the Brighton Beach power plant. Brine wells and testing of soil conditions in the area will go a long way to determining final location, Kozachuk said.

DRIC has also determined the new customs plaza in Windsor will either be on a site near E.C. Row Expressway and Malden Road; between the Brighton Beach power plant and Nemak's Windsor Aluminum plant; or on waterfront land between the power plant and Windsor Salt.

DRIC will release its preferred alternatives for crossing, plaza and feeder road locations in 2007 with construction tabbed to be completed by 2013.

A round of public open houses will be held the first week of December.

A "ton of new information" on soil testing, air quality monitoring, traffic studies, archeological findings, natural environment studies and social impact assessments will be released, said Roger Ward, senior project manager for DRIC.

"It will be a lot of information out there for the public to review," he said. "We will ask them 'have we got it right or have we missed anything?'"

© The Windsor Star 2006

[upinottawa]

Photos of the construction at Dieppe Park from International Metropolis:

http://internationalmetropolis.com/?p=237

[upinottawa]

Roberta Pennington, Windsor Star
Published: Tuesday, October 31, 2006

In the eyes of Coun. Ron Jones, Olde Sandwich Towne has the potential to become a "vacation destination."

And he's not the only one to share that vision.

On Monday, representatives of the Olde Sandwich Towne Community Task Force presented a report to council mapping out what needs to be done for that ambition to be realized.

The task force of about 30 west Windsor residents spent the past 18 months identifying key strengths and weaknesses of their neighbourhood and drafting recommendations on how the area could be revitalized.

Its 61-page report lists 29 ways to address issues ranging from the appearance of the historical community to its economic development, social services, parks and safety.

"It is about time that one of the oldest and one of the most historical places in all of Canada is getting its due recognition," said Shelley Harding-Smith, a task force member.

"We have to remember the four cornerstones of this founding nation -- the native aboriginals, people of African descent, English and French descent helped to found Olde Sandwich."

If the task force's recommendations are carried out, the area will get a revitalized riverfront area with park sites, refurbished historical buildings, more lighting, new signage and a greater police presence.

"We will be seeing a fresh start and certainly signs of new development," said Hildegard Ashe, executive director of the Sandwich Community Health Centre Inc., and chairwoman of the task force.

Ashe said ideally the recommendations would be implemented over one to three years, with some projects taking longer.

Funding for the communitywide revitalization would come from anticipated grants from the upper tiers of government, the city and private investment, Ashe said.

"There certainly is a lot of support and interest, so I would not be surprised if you don't in the very near future see some offers come forward from investors."

Windsor council unanimously adopted the report. The next step involves setting up the Olde Sandwich Towne Community Planning Implementation Committee.

The city's planning department will also prepare "a report outlining the work program, resources and scheduling for the completion," of the task force's report, according to an administrative report.

rpennington@thestar.canwest.com or 519-255-5529

© The Windsor Star 2006

[Happy Habib]

City to fill downtown hole
Staff, The Windsor Star
Published: Monday, October 30, 2006

The City of Windsor is moving forward with its plans to fill in the large hole on the corner of Riverside Drive and Church Street, Mayor Eddie Francis said Monday. Francis said the city is not going to entertain new plans developer Bill Docherty may have for the site, which has become an eyesore in the downtown core. As such, it has issued requests for proposals to prospective contractors to cover the 10-metre-deep fenced hole next to the Radisson Hotel. “We’re preparing a report for an award of tender so that we can allow the work to commence to fill that hole,” Francis said. Docherty, the site’s owner, will be charged with the cost of the cover-up. Earlier this year, the Ontario Superior Court granted the city the right to take action if Docherty didn’t meet a September deadline for fixing the eyesore himself. “Mr. Docherty has indicated that he has a new plan for this piece of parcel, but it doesn’t change anything, we’re still moving forward,” Francis said. “We’re still moving forward. We’ve been down that path before and every time there’s been a plan come forward it’s been a plan that has gone nowhere.” Docherty initially planned to build a high-rise hotel or residential building on the nearly one-acre parcel. But the land has been vacant and fenced for more than a decade.

[upinottawa]

Originally Posted by Happy Habib

City to fill downtown hole
Staff, The Windsor Star
Published: Monday, October 30, 2006

The City of Windsor is moving forward with its plans to fill in the large hole on the corner of Riverside Drive and Church Street, Mayor Eddie Francis said Monday. Francis said the city is not going to entertain new plans developer Bill Docherty may have for the site, which has become an eyesore in the downtown core. As such, it has issued requests for proposals to prospective contractors to cover the 10-metre-deep fenced hole next to the Radisson Hotel. “We’re preparing a report for an award of tender so that we can allow the work to commence to fill that hole,” Francis said. Docherty, the site’s owner, will be charged with the cost of the cover-up. Earlier this year, the Ontario Superior Court granted the city the right to take action if Docherty didn’t meet a September deadline for fixing the eyesore himself. “Mr. Docherty has indicated that he has a new plan for this piece of parcel, but it doesn’t change anything, we’re still moving forward,” Francis said. “We’re still moving forward. We’ve been down that path before and every time there’s been a plan come forward it’s been a plan that has gone nowhere.” Docherty initially planned to build a high-rise hotel or residential building on the nearly one-acre parcel. But the land has been vacant and fenced for more than a decade.

Anyone have any ideas on what the city should do with that space?

For those interested in the location, click http://local.live.com/?v=2&sp=Point....82cqdb_Hole___ and then select "bird's eye view".

[Blitz]

It's about time, Docherty has been such an ass with that property.

[FenderStrat]

Here are some new pictures of the ongoing Casino Windsor expansion project:

[Blitz]

Excellent, keep us up to date!

[upinottawa]

Thanks Fender. It is nice to have some photos on this site!

[arnold]

Originally Posted by upinottawa

Anyone have any ideas on what the city should do with that space?

does this docherty guy own the land? and if he does, then what can the city really do besides fill in the hole? maybe make it a small (and hopefully temporary) park or use it as an extension of the sculpture garden?... but i'm betting their options will be very limited.

and the casino looks like its moving along pretty quickly. great pics.
which side of the site is going to hold the highrise hotel portion? the side closest to downtown or the side closest to the existing casino?

[upinottawa]

Arnold, you are right. The article suggests that Docherty owns the property in question. If the city has the authorization to fill in the hole (on Docherty's dime), the city likely does not have the authority to landscape the property (possibly the city could landscape the property at its own cost). That being said, if the land belongs to Docherty then regular trespass rules would apply.

As far as that space is concerned, it is in a prime downtown location but it is an odd parcel -- off to the side next to hotels and the art gallery. I could see that space used for another hotel (one is likely not going to appear there anytime soon), an apartment building (condos even), a museum complex or a even a movie theatre.

The land could also be used as a Detroit-style landscaped parking lot....

[arnold]

i've often thought that it would be cool to develop some sort of riverfront retail presence by combining and exploiting the (struggling) ground floor retail in the existing hotels with whatever goes up on this corner. maybe a terraced outdoor shopping/dining pavilion. or some sort of rabbit-warren, 'hazelton lanes' type of development... but more in appearance than snooty, exclusivity. something that people could walk 'through' on their way down to the river. but i doubt that would provide reasonable return-on-the-dollar for such a prime piece of property.

i'm betting the owner sits on it until there's enough demand for luxury condos or at least a highrise mixed-use building. which could still be decades away...

[Blitz]

Finally some good news on the jobs front....


Global firm bringing 1,000 jobs to Windsor

By Doug Williamson
The Windsor Star
Nov. 2, 2006

Sutherland Global Services, a high-tech business service company operating in seven countries with 12,500 employees worldwide, is planning to locate in Windsor, providing about 1,000 jobs, sources have told The Windsor Star.
A formal announcement about the investment by the Rochester, N.Y.-based firm was to be made this morning by Mayor Eddie Francis and Windsor Liberal MPPs Sandra Pupatello and Dwight Duncan.
“There will be good news but I can’t say anything,” Francis said Wednesday. Pupatello, the economic development minister, and Duncan, minister of energy, issued a joint statement Wednesday saying they will “announce an important new investment in Windsor.”
A call to the company’s Rochester headquarters was not returned.
Details of the Windsor operation were not available, but employees are said to require a certain level of training, and earlier reports indicated wages would be in the $12 to $15 per hour range for some of them.

“It’s more than a call centre,” said one source familiar with behind-the-scenes negotiations to lure Sutherland here rather than set up the new operation in Mexico.
A source said Sutherland has begun hiring in Windsor and is training new employees in Sault Ste. Marie, where it operates two call centres. Another Canadian operation is in Vernon, B.C.
Sutherland helps companies cut costs by taking over some of their administrative functions, a process called business process outsourcing, or BPO. Those functions can range from operating call centres, payroll, human resources and information technology departments for the other companies to performing marketing and even financial functions.
Sutherland provides outsourcing services in the U.S., Canada, the U.K., Australia, Mexico, India and the Phillipines.
A University of Windsor professor said a BPO company would locate in Windsor probably because of its workforce.

“What matters is the availability of good quality people,” said Denise Ghanam, who is studying the BPO phenomenon, which started about 10 years ago. She noted that recent announcements of local job losses means a good workforce pool for Sutherland.
She said a company located here could handle work from companies anywhere, not just Windsor. Ghanam also said while some firms that outsource jobs to companies like Sutherland lose the workers involved, others do not because employees are freed up to do other work.
Ghanam also said that while some companies do outsource to low-labourcost countries, many do not. That’s because complex regulations in the North American business world require North Americans familiar with the system — something that India or Singapore would not always be able to provide.
A centre like Windsor’s could handle work from other North American companies and offer comparable wages, she said.
“The perception is the jobs are going to other countries,” Ghanam said of BPO companies in general. “There’s a positive side to this BPO.”
However, she acknowledged that in many cases, many jobs are transferred overseas.
“Many of them do go to low-cost countries.”