Downtown Windsor – Part II

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• I still think that we should get rid of the roads, and turn downtown's streets into brick-laden pedestrian pathways. I remember reading however that there was major opposition to temporarily closing Ouelette for such a use! Who needs roads when you could have a walkable outdoor urban centre. Just stick some unsightly parking garages on the four-corners of downtown, and WALK to the core.

  I suppose though, a walkable downtown is barely a start, and not even the tip of the iceburg of the core's problems.

• Andrew – thanks for the continuation of the downtown tour, I had no idea that so many shops were vacant, and I’m sure there will be more additions on part three tomorrow. One thing I did notice however is there are quite a few shots you’ve taken where you can see a great deal of the background scenery, and surrounding area, especially that one where you point out the lack luster street scaping attempt. The first thing that caught my eye wasn’t the poor street scaping, but rather the lack of any life, not one single person is in that shot, and it goes on for blocks. How are we to revitalize this area, if we cannot even attract people downtown? I’ve never seen a downtown core like this!!! If you notice, a lot of your shots are like that……Downtown is truly hit rock bottom in my eyes. I also think the city should have implemented some restrictions, similar to those put on heritage properties, to prevent, and stop tenants from destroying the facades of those wonderful buildings, I mean if your going to spend the money on that crappy stucco, why not spend a bit more, or have some type of program in place which grants a portion of the renovation/maintenance cost from the city to those who DO keep the buildings original so to speak. So that way when new tenants move in, the entire renovation, and maintenance of the building isn’t at full cost to them. I mean aren’t some of these if not most of these buildings from the 1920’s, and 30’s? Aren’t they historic, and don’t they have some type of architectural value to them? Wasn’t there a bank on the Norwich Block that was painstakingly taken apart for this reason, and where is it now? Makes no sense to me what so ever! We’ve not only lost our family run business’s, we’ve lost the downtown heritage also with all these tacky, cheap, fugly, “modernized” store fronts.

• One way they could test how well that works is by closing the street down for Summerfest, putting as many of midway booths up and down Ouellette, University, etc. as they practically can, instead of the riverfront. That would wick pedestrians away from the drive and into the downtown streets. As it stands now, Summerfest goers largely just make a beeline for the riverfront. Imagine the benefit to those businesses (that are still there) having all those people walking back and forth in front of their stores. Sure, Summerfest will be gone again after the fireworks but the effect that can be left on people who attended will last year round, if the opportunity is taken advantage of property.

• John, great idea. We need to get the foot traffic back on Ouellette before anything will change.

  Ross as you noted there is a lack of foot traffic. However let it be noted that we were downthere on a Sunday AM between 10:30 and 12:00. The only people we really saw were a few revelers who staggered out from their hotels to go find something to eat. The group we saw hit the Pizza Pizza. Chains rule!

  The DWBIA to their credit have recognized that the buildings are a fugly mix and have insitiuted a facade rehabilition program. If anyone has taken advantage of it, I don't know.

  Check out details here: http://www.downtownwindsor.ca/freshfronts.asp

  I was a little perplexed as to why the report was done by a Detroit company, the same Detroit comapny that the previous Executive Director was hired from...

  Was there not a LOCAL company that could have done this? The DWBIA wants us to support local, yet they don't practice what they preach... Maybe there is no one in WIndsor or Essex County that could have perfromed this work.

• As far as facades go, building owners like myself had never had any type of guidance when it comes to design. We went to an architect, trusted the architect would recommend the best course of action and followed it. Thats why you have the results you have.

  Downtown Windsor also is was one of the only downtowns that did not have design guidelines that were above and beyond the rest of the city. The city Center West CIP was the first time these type of design guidelines were instituted in the city.

  After learning about design possibilities and motioning for a facade grant program to recruite businesses and beautify Downtown, the DWBIA paid $30,000 to have its own design guidelines prepared for all o Downtown in order to educate its members. Those new design guidelines are available at our office and communicated to all of our members. The facade grant program allows for matching funds of up to 10,000 (15,000 for corner bldgs) for anyone who improves their facade.

  We also advocate that the city adopt many of our design guidelines as restrictions as to what shouldn't be allowed, the DWBIA has given the carrrot but the stick remains absent.

  Andrew and John speak of my treating people with disrespect, arrogance or having idiotic responses, but I only see that type of behavior in the comments under Andrew's pictures.

  BTW, Ouellette cannot be closed for a pedestrian mall as it will become the only north south connection to the riverfront within 5 blocks. The DWBIA has budgeted however to close it for 6 Fridays evenings and Saturday day and evenings (a 12,000 expense) provided the businesses program it with family friendly entertainment.

  Also John, the comment about the city not being able to move trees and remove those stark white ugly planters, call Don Sadler or Jim Yanchula. I agree with you about moving them and fought harder than anyone, but they didn't agree with you. Call them BS'ers not me.

  "I never give them hell, I just give them the truth and they think its hell" - Harry Truman

• A picture tells a thousand stories! The decay, the dirt, the facades, the aura of the downtown just is plain drab and ugly. Thanks for pointing out all the empty spaces. You don't se that in the burbs, where life is gentieel and gracious.
  If our City Council hasn't clued in yet, then they are blinded by their own agendas.
  It is postiively wretched considering the last ten year run here has seen many make a lot of money. The DWBIA needs to put the realtiy glasses on and do something.
  The concrete planters are hideous and take up more of the sidewalk than before. Now the pan handlers can stretch out while they beg for money and take up the entire walkway. Not good for the vision of a walkable city.
  Is there anyone who can effect change instead of a whole lot of talking? It's time to reclaim our downtown- it will never be what it was, but it can be better.

• Hey, I just remembered - you guys didn't show Terra cotta pizza. They've been downtown forever and that's why it smells like campfire around Ouellette and University every now and then.

• SBW - You're right. They weren't fired up on Sunday AM, however we all know there are great restuarants down there, that has never been up for debate. Sadly restuarants and bars are all we have...

• DWBIA has reality glasses on, it knows the reality of not being able to improve downtown while we tear it up at the same time.

  It knows the reality that you can promote something for what it has whiile working to fix what it's missing. I think the only absurdity on these pages is the thought that promotion of the downtown somehow makes one ignorant of the conditions. The two are mutually exclusive

  F.Scott Fitzgerald once said that the sign of a true intellect is being able to hold two opposing thoughts in your mind at the same time and still be able to retain the ability to function.

  Downtown can be a great place currently and still need vast amount of improvement.

  If you think the burbs are gentieel and gracious thats great, I think Andrew should do a photo blog showing the true realities of that area

  The DWBIA had the facade guidelines quoted by several local firms who wanted $20,000 mor e than the $30,000 that was spent. I believe the DWBIA would have paid a premium to shop local but could not justify that much of a premium

• Andrew – I had no idea the “fresh fronts” program/opportunity existed, I think it’s wonderful. It’s exactly what I was headed for with my above comment. What I don’t understand is why people aren’t taking advantage of the opportunity. It makes no sense.
  There were some wonderful renderings of what some of the buildings could look like, and funny enough, that ugly “bling bling:” sign/storefront was actually commended in the pamphlet, which seemed more like a BOOK, but either way, it was great to look at. I still feel that, in order for EVERYONE to be on the same page, those rules should be MANDATED, and not advertised as an option. I also would be interested to see what the people traffic would be like on a day during the week, when a downtown should be hustling and bustling, however most of the traffic that I ever see downtown during the day, are people waiting for buses, not window shoppers, which is unfortunate. Keeping with the conversation, I also agree those white ugly planters are HORRENDOUS, to me, they only serve as giant ashtrays, and garbage cans. Thanks Mark, and Andrew for the information.