In today's Windsor Star Windsor found itself in the company of some of greatest cities in the world. According to John Russell Morris, Windsor Symphony Orchestra conductor, the Windsor Armouries has the potential to be transformed into one of the greatest concert halls in the world. For most Windsorites, that might be a hard position to take. Sure, we want to think of ourselves as world-class, but to actually think that we could be world class, that is a little daunting, even for the most optimistic among us.While I don't subscribe to some of hype in the article (remember, no single development will fix downtown Windsor), I do believe that an investment in a heritage property, in addition to an upscale arts establishment, will return dividends for decades to come. Alas, though the thought of a downtown symphonic forum is tainted by two stumbling blocks.
First, according to the DWBIA plans to reinvigorate the downtown with the Downtown Mosaic, and the proposed changes by the WSO, are we missing the opportunity for some symbiotic relationships? Alas, it is far more than a missed opportunity, but a necessity to accomplish the grandiose goals that we envision for our collective future. In order for Windsor to get past itself, we need to build unity into the process, all pushing for a common future, each within our own realm. I hope that the WSO and DWBIA are working in concert (no pun intended!) for the success of our urban core.
Second, and this seems to be a recurring theme, we have city council, certainly not all of them, but consistently the same councillors, who cannot seem to see beyond the confines of our small-town origins. This time around it is Percy Hatfield, who thinks this idea would be great, but not if Windsor taxpayers are going to foot the bill. Hatfield didn't have a problem voting to drop $65 million on an arena that will have questionable ancilliary benefits for Windsor. That is not to say that I favour tax dollars going to support every whim of development that appears to be left leaning, but a favourable allocation of resources that feeds the needs of all citizens. Hell, I'd settle for a comprehensive plan that Windsor actually put some real time, effort and resources behind. Windsor already has reams and reams of plans that could have, would have, transformed our cityscape. Instead we have been frozen by indecision, compelled to act only out of spite, hoping that one more study is going to provide the silver bullet.
It is time to live up to the namesake of SDW and scale down, focus on building the infrastructure to support a community and, with it, a sustainable economy. We must scale our community to prepare ourselves for the future. Just like Mayor Francis and his pay-as-you-go economic philosophy, we need to trim back the wide-ranging expansion plans, the insatiable need to consume, and focus on creating a quality life experience for all citizens.
It's going to be one heck of a journey...
6 comments:
I would encourage anyone who can get their hands on it to view the documentary "clearly Symphony". It will give you an idea about what a tremendous asset the WSO and John Morris Russell is to our community.
When talking about community, one thing I keep coming across is the preservation of heritage buildings. We mistakenly took down the norwich block and have a dearth of historical bldgs in the core. Preservation of the Armories is paramount.
Now I'm not saying whether or not Windsor could presently support this expenditure for a symphony hall but I've never heard of planning for the present. I believe that the main point is that we need to plan for the future.
I believe that there is no better use of the armories than a symphony hall.
Windsor decided it needed an Arena and waited 20 years to build one
Since there is no better alternative use that has ever been proposed for the armories, I think the point is to make a decision once and for all designating it as a symphony hall.
I'm not saying we can afford this conversion now. I'm saying that we commit to the plan, and start raising moneys for that. I could see the Symphony putting a donation box at every concert with an artist rendering. I could see fundraising drives just like lasalle did for their arena (Btw, why the previous Spitfire owner never started a fundraising drive for Windsor's arena I'll never understand)
Discussions about the price tag completely miss the point. The discussion should be centered on whether this is the best use for that building (I believe it is) and what are the actions required to get us there
Agreed Mark. Plannig for the future and making it a reality is the most important process we have to make the downtown viable again.
Having Mr. Horowitz on AM800 yersterday was great. Being able to speak to him on the radio as to where the downtown and the U want to go was enlightening. I just hope that the downtwon will work with groups and businesses and bring about change for teh betterment of this once great city.
Personally, I'd be in favour of selling Roseland and the Marina to fund a Concert Hall, but that's just me being the sh** disturber. :)
On the other hand, why couldn't we do something like that? Take half the proceeds and put it into a Cultural Fund and put the other half into a Medical Research fund for research conducted in Windsor.
Considering Windsor's plight these days, I just feel we need to be doing something different than the Economic Development Commission or Tourism Bureau. Everyone in the Province has one, we have to find what no one else has and start doing it.
I agree that converting the Armouries into a symphony hall for the WSO is an excellent idea. However, even though talk of turning the Armouries into a cultural focal point, whether it is a museum or symphony hall, started long before discussions of relocating a fast food establishment next door, the decision to put up a BK was made, with a drive through nonetheless. Revitalizing that area into the vision Mr. Russell has, as well as many other citizens, will be a daunting task.
A lack of a clear vision and proper planning for our core by our city officials, and the unwillingness to listen to others who know what they are talking about, makes the task that much harder. Mark said it perfectly with his comment, “I've never heard of planning for the present.” While the monies may not be available at this exact moment, by the time all the due process takes its course, who is to say we won’t?
I hope to see a good turnout tonight and an even better presentation/discussion.
Lets take down the Armouries and move it to the vacant lands next to the Art Gallery for the Sympahny. Build a new Archives (using the former Riverside Drive Norwich Block building siting in storage) and City museum. Bring in an aquarium and science center to the area, add the old band shell and ....viola! The best Arts/Science center in the COUNTRY. Now thats an attraction I'd go to see. Oh yeah ... It also falls in line with the CITY'S ORIGINAL CITY CENTER REVITALIZATION PLAN FOR A WESTERN SUPER ANCHOR !!!
Hey sh** disturber, thats the kind of Sh** that really needs disturbing
We've never had a truly regional tourism bureau and I'd like to see what one could accomplish before we pull our support. The Economic Development Commission just released its challenges of change summit report and I don't find flaws in it. These two organizations need whatever support our region can give them before we go looking for something new. Although as devils advocate I would offer the following
I still have a problem with the Development commission's mandate. THey acknowledge that 80% of jobs are created by small business but don't look at the small stuff.
There is no business recruitment done by that office for the core (Wards 2,3,4) No market study done to see what gaps exist in the supply and demand
The only other tool that can help is the formation of a Development Corporation. I examined having DWBIA funds invested in a Downtown Development Corporation but was swayed against it after learning the cost and time involved.
Currently because of the Municipal Act the DWBIA cannot buy property or invest in businesses. Even the Facade grant program is borderline possible. A downtown Development Corporation could buy land and issue tightly controlled RFP's for development it encourages. It could be more involved in the Armories.
Problem is that it took 3 years and tremendous costs (something like $100,000) for Brampton to start the first Development corporation in the Province.
The DWBIA would have to get through streetscape funding before we could allocate the resources required to be effective.
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