Ontario Construction News staff writer
The City of Windsor is looking for feedback on the state of the downtown core, two years since launching its Strengthen the Core Downtown Windsor Revitalization Plan.
A survey, available through Sept. 7, is designed to track changes in community perceptions, gather feedback about experiences downtown and identify areas where further improvements are needed.
Feedback will help determine future investments, programming and partnerships. Results will be aggregated and reported to Windsor city council.
“Through Housing Solutions Made for Windsor, we’ve approved landscape-changing developments that will bring over 400 new homes to the area,” said Mayor Drew Dilkins. “New assets and amenities have come online, including the incredible new City Hall Square delivered on time and $1 million under budget while transforming a formerly limited-use area into a focal point for celebrations and civic pride.
“We’ve come a long way in creating the conditions to attract new investments, businesses, residents, and visitors to our downtown.
Since Strengthen the Core was launched, several projects have been launched, including:
- Major residential developments advanced through Housing Solutions Made for Windsor, including the Caron Avenue and Pelissier Street projects, adding more than 400 new residential units to the downtown core.
- More than 30 new businesses and organizations have opened or relocated downtown since the Strengthen the Core initiative began, including major investments by Expeditors, the YMCA and Ariius Nightclub.
- City council approved changes aimed at increasing downtown parking availability, creating approximately 249 new spaces through curb-lane conversions and expanded angled parking.
- The Downtown Innovation District initiative was announced to support entrepreneurship, innovation, collaboration and investment in the downtown core.
- Village at The Barn concept was unveiled, advancing plans for a comprehensive downtown housing and homelessness-support campus.
- DERKZ’s The Language of My World murals and the Park in Perfect Harmony installations, developed in partnership with the Windsor Symphony Orchestra in the Pelissier Parking Garage. The city also hosted the second annual Classical in the Concrete public concert.
- City Hall Square Ice Rink officially opened, creating a new winter-season destination in the downtown core. The opening celebration attracted hundreds of attendees and featured live entertainment, food trucks, free hot chocolate and complimentary skate rentals.
- Through the Experience Windsor initiative, supported by a $500,000 council-approved investment from the Tourism Development, Infrastructure and Program Reserve Fund, the city launched a series of free, barrier-free events across Windsor, including Wheels Nights roller-skating events at City Hall Square.
The anonymous survey is available through the city’s Strengthen the Core webpage and will remain open until Sept. 7.
For a complete list of ongoing projects, visit the Strengthen the Core Let’s Talk Windsor webpage.
The survey will be available online at letstalk.citywindsor.ca/strengthen-the-core until Sept. 7. All responses are anonymous, and participants are encouraged to share their feedback and experiences. Individual results will be aggregated and shared through updates to council.
