Downtown Windsor – Part III

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• Interesting story about IKEA locating in downtown Tampa:

  http://www.tboblogs.com/index.php/newswire/story/ikea-opening-in-tampa/

  I'll let the experts here dissect it..

• would like to see more on street parking on Ouellette and I think both the patios, which I find are a great asset to downtown, and on-steet parking can be accomodating.

  Mark, I am puzzled? Why would a property tax freeze help with vacancies? Less taxes would make it easier to rent a vacancy shouldn’t it? But again it is the mill rate that is unacceptable. As I stated previously the rent rates in T.O. are about the same as Windsor! But could it be that insureance in Windsor is much higher due to the vandalism caused by the kids coming and shitting on our city (local one’s as well) for their weekend “fun”.

• sorry about that post it was a cut and paste mistake

  Just to clarify, from what I remember the mayor said was just using a previous cost estimate and did not specifically cost it out himself.

  I also was under the impression the stretch that would be flooded would not be lengthy or deep and would only serve as a water feature for a strip of commercial buildings with residences above them that could access them for pleasure craft.

  I'm sure whatever could be flooded could be filled in if the railbed was needed. I'm assuming, light rail for WIndsor would not be in the cards for decades.
  In the meantime, I believe the waterway would be one more way to connect the river to downtown, a potential showpiece for the city.

  One of my main beliefs as to why our citizens do not demand better development is that there is no example in Windsor staring them in the face to show them how the quality of life is improved on a daily basis.

  I believe if we could just get one proper mixed use residential development completed, the public would demand that as a minimum standard throughout the city.

  Thats why I think this urban village has a significance far greater than just City Center West or even Downtown. I believe that justifies the 12 million expenditure if it could help make it a success

• That dowtown Tampa Ikea store referred to still requires 29 acres. Thats a lot of expropriations, considering the Norwich block remains yet unresolved.

  I don't think they have a model for a store that has underground parking, I assume they wouldn't want the additional build costs or security.

  Underground parking costs even more than parking garage space, probably $25,000 per spot.

• The one in Toronto at Highway 7 & 400 has a garage attached to it, and it's near a subway line.

  That is one of 4 Toronto area Ikea's. If they were interested they could make nearly any site work. Any idea how big the current Home Depot & Union Gas site is?

• The 7 and 400 isn't near a subway line YET -- but Sobara, before he left politics, funded the extension of the University line out to "Vaughan city centre" which is now known as the "Subway to Ikea". It's the one that will also pass through York U.

  The Ikea at Sheppard and Leslie is on the Sheppard Line (the newest, Mel Lastman "subway to nowhere" line) and it is a massive box, with a massive parking garage next to it. Ikea's make mighty footprints, and are not in anyway urban. We do not let that stop us from going, and we like to eat lunch in the Ikea cafeteria. Try the orange macaroni and cheese. It comes out of a big bag that they dump into the pot. (no sarcasm, we like it).

• Mark, thats certainly a funny way of thinking---light rail for WIndsor would not be in the cards for decades. ----
  So lets flood the ROW for a simple water feature for residents!?? Since we're not ready fo use the ROW?!? And when we are ready, who will pull the drain plug and let transit rail vehicles roll by some fancy residential units that you want to put there?!?
  Ii souds like you're caught up in the disposable society syndrome as so many others. Everything now and in a hurry then throw it away. City building takes vision that goes beyond even a decade or two or three...

• David, perhaps if you look at the CIP for marentette and the sketches you may see 271 watercraft marina identified there. That may be the project referenced. That looks like it would be doable.

• It wouldn't be only for those particular residents as a public access could be maintained for residents of the entire area.

  My decades assessment for light rail is a reality, I have grown up with City Center West land designated for an arena for 20 years and I'm simply not ready for parts of it to be held while designated light rail for another 20. Not when we need downtown revitalization now.

  The quote that would best describe the hold on city center west lands:

  "The maxim 'nothing avails but perfection' can be spelled 'paralysis' (Winston Churchill).

  But I realize mine is but one opinion and would be happy to support any comprehensive plan that is better and doesn't mean we have to wait another decade