South West Detention Centre

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• I think that this is a great location. Let's remember that this is a new regional facility. It is not just meant for Windsor but for all of Southwestern Ontario. Police from Chatham for instance have to come here. It needs to be right near the 401 to serve the region properly. Brighton Beach would only suit Windsor but what do we expect from a city government wrought with tunnel vision. Windsor is actually lucky to land this. We need the investment and the several hundred well paying government jobs that come along with it.

• I believe that they said 250 corrections jobs?

  Also they pointed out that it will be good fro the sprawl along Walker Rd. All those restuarants will see an infulx of people who will need to eat... Corections workers, lawyers, etc...

• I guess it's an OK location, close to freeway access as it is not just a City Jail. At least it doesn't look that foreboding, could even be a manufacturing plant almost - back when Windsor had those. Besides, this fits in Windsor/Essex's rebranding - the retirement capital of Canada - serve out your term and retire in the mild sub-tropical climate - cradle to grave I say.

  It is slightly odd how the development just stops in that area. You could be a km from the airport in the middle of a field and never know there was an airport there.

• I am with you Andrew on the green improvements. Why not make it as environmentally friendly as possible? All this talk aof the environment, the province should put their money where their mouth is and make sure it is designed properly.

  As for the location...I think it is a good stop. No one is going to see it as it isn't near any city "gateway". Why should it go to Brighton beach? Hasn't the west side suffered enough? Why can't we spread this type of development around?

  Just like downtown with all of the Salvation Army housing, YMCA housing, downtown mission...imagine if we asked the mayor or the bureaucrats in city hall to have one of these buildings in their neighbourhood? They would have convulsions of anger! But nope, let's try and put it where people who have beet spit on for 50 years reside.

  By the way, the "too high cost of transportation" is a joke! I am sure the city can find the money in that massive police budget Windsor has. But then again from what I hear from Chief Smith they need MORE SUV's. Give me a break!

• This is a local correctional center being proposed, not a penitentiary. The bulk of the inmates destined for this facility are impaired drivers, barroom brawlers and petty thieves. They are convicted of crimes for which the penalty is less than two years and provincial statistics indicate the current average stay for these offenders is 72 days. They aren’t the kind to carjack a ride home or stick up a big box store.

• Ahh yes rws you are correct. But the fear-mongering has begun thanks to our local lap-dog media. I still wonder what Eddie's pals want to do with that land which is why I believe Eddie is making a fuss. I believe it is time for Eddie to pay back what is owed to those who funded his elections.

• How would the far west end suffer more if this went there?? There's already the old jail next to Mackenzie hall, which houses the same risk category of occupants. It's nothing foreign to the area that would cause a decline in property values You also have plenty of government buildings there like the new armouries and police center, so it makes perfect sense.

  The city's not gonna tell police services to find money in their budget for any extra costs in transportation. The reality is that that's just nonesense. Police services is a sacred lamb. When was the last time they've had to find cuts in their budget to pay for increased costs? Will the province reimburse the city for the declining tax base in the South end from this? If you think you're not gonna see a jump in property taxes for the rest of us over this if it goes in the south end, you're dead wrong.

• David, it is very simple. We have a chance to rid ourselves of one jail not build another one in it's place. The west side has ben Windsor's dumping ground for eternity. Time to spread that around Windsor as the impact would be less.

  As for the armouries and police centre that has nothing at all to do with this jail. Besides there are few houses in that area that would see any property values drop (if they haven't already due to Windsor's inaction on the economy).

  The police services SHOULD be made to find that money within their budget, plain and simple. How much extra is it gong to cost to move someone from this new site over the current one? Not much!

  Again, there is nothing there except a few houses what "tax base" are you referring to? Farm land? This if anything should give us more money for taxes if jails pay any tax at all.

• I spoke with some of the Provincial officials last night. The generic nomenclature "Regional Detention Center" does not mean that the jail will be used by other communities (including Chatham). These municipalities have their own jails. The new facility in Windsor is going to be a direct replacement for the current Windsor Jail. IT IS THE NEW WINDSOR JAIL. It only has double the capacity of our current jail. Long overdue. The only time other inmates might see it is if they are to appear in Windsor courts. The current Windsor Jail serves the same function. By the way...It is only 1.5 kilometers further out than the Brighton Beach location and has a clean run up 46 to Provincial, to Howard and then Downtown. It is a very good location which will, if anything, improve the area.

• One has to question The Star and other local media's agenda when they continuously describe the site at the corner of Walker and Provincial and stir up the pot.

  The proposed Brighton Beach site is the exact same distance to the courthouse as the province's proposed site.

  Let's face it- after blowing millions fighting for his beloved "Greenlink", our mayor needs the cash and would love to have something happen in Brighton Beach.

  Thanks to Andrew for his independent voice here- where would we be without the blogs?