Living in the Core

While I’m a strong advocate for downtown Windsor, my views are not limited to its boundaries. I believe that the City as a whole should have the same agenda, but it is only natural and logical to start in the downtown locale and expand outward. This is the methodology that Detroit, and so many other cities, has so successfully embraced.

Much has been posted on the subject of amenities and on the benefits of living downtown, Windsor still faces the challenges of attracting new residents and residential developments to its city centre. Many are beginning to realize the beauty and uniqueness of our riverfront but few are willing to live on its doorstep.

The City’s Planning Department has recommended the allocation of $150,000 to be utilized towards residential market studies prior to the adoption of any of the residential development incentives and recommendations made by the Community Improvement Plan. Theoretically, this is the correct approach however it does not address the immeasurable negative consequences these delays will have on our community.

One such example is that the of the current Community Improvement Plans which have been put on hold until 2012 - at which time we will be facing the same, if not greater, fiscal challenges. After completing CIP's 4 years ago, I do not have confidence that they will not simply be put on hold again either. In the meantime, there are no incentives to redevelop the Glengarry-Marentette area, most of Downtown, and every other neighbourhood in which Community Improvement Plans have been established. By that time Ottawa, Walkerville and Erie St. may be in a greater crisis.

Our developers are well aware of the City’s economic challenges and what the market will bear when it comes to new housing. $150,000 would be better spent on changing people’s perceptions of our downtown.

Tax Incentive Financing is only one measure of what should be provided to developers. We need to start promoting the many benefits of living downtown. Since 2003, I have been lobbying for residential development in our city centre, and I will continue to do so until action is taken. I have always been of the opinion that if residential development is integrated into the city’s centre, businesses are smart enought to locate near customers. Other indirect goals will be the fact that the type of residents who choose to live downtown will be the ones who will likely support and attend arts events, making facilities like the Capitol Theatre and the Art Gallery less dependant on public funding. In fact I tell you that no matter what the question is about Windsor's challenges, whether it be Arts, Economic Development, Tourism, Clean and Safe Issues, the solution includes residential development in the core. Just look across the river at Detroit or any other city that has recovered from a downturn.

Click here to see some of those benefits

Disclaimer: The views of my blog entry are my own and may not reflect the views or policy of the DWBIA

Scale Down's latest addition

I'd like to take this opportunity to introduce you to Scale Down's newest contributor, Mark Boscariol.

This is an exciting time for Windsor's downtown, and we're extremely thrilled to have Mark join us here at SDW to help update and analyze all the issues and oportunities presented to it.

For those of you who don't know Mark (I'm sure there's one or two in Windsor...somewhere), he is the co-owner in management of Chanoso’s/Buda/the Room. (http://www.255downtown.com/) located in the heart of Windsor. Mark is a past-chair of the Downtown Windsor Business Improvement Association (DWBIA) who has run businesses in Nova Scotia, Alberta and Ontario, allowing him to spend much time in different communities to see how they have developed their areas. This has also given him extensive knowledge of the retail industry.

Mark walks the talk when it comes to downtown revitalization, playing an active role in the restoration and development of 255 Ouellette Avenue - a building that he believes was once downtown Windsor’s biggest eyesore - and converting it to house a thriving restaurant/banquet hall/café/billiards entertainment bar. He played an active role in the development of Edith Cavell Condominiums, the adaptive reuse of the former school at 5955 Ontario, one of 5 buildings selected to receive a Built Heritage Award Certificate. I could go on...

Mark understands the impact Windsor's bult environment has on our community and culture, and will add a breadth and depth to our discourse on the effects the decisions our elected officals and residents make have on our city.

Welcome aboard, Mark. We're going to have a lot of fun...

Head on over to...

Thought we'd point you in the direction of a couple of other local bloggers who should probably be moonlighting with ...Scale Down.

Head over to Blog Windsor for a tasty surprise on Ottawa Street, and then over to International Metroplis if you want to bring it back up again.

House hunting on two wheels

How far down the livable-city road does Windsor have to travel before a business such as this becomes a viable one here? When they do begin to pop up, we will then know that we are employing proper planning strategies

From the innovative business idea website, Springwise

House-hunting can be a difficult and time-consuming process in which it often feels like you spend more time in a real estate agent's car than you do viewing houses. Pedal To Properties has come up with a novel concept whereby agents offer customers the chance to check out properties and neighbourhoods in a more healthful and leisurely fashion: via bicycle.

The free—and environmentally friendly—service is completely optional for clients, but those who choose to can tour through neighbourhoods and visit properties by cruiser bike. Boulder-based Pedal To Properties's agents meet clients with a few of the company's small fleet of cruiser bikes attached to the back of their car. An immersing ride can follow, giving potential buyers an alternative way to experience a neighbourhood and view multiple properties in an area without the hassle of getting in and out of a car.Launched by real estate professional, avid cyclist and Ironman triathlete Matt Kolb, Pedal to Properties combines health and fun with the home-buying process, providing a hyper-localized feel for neighbourhood vibes that could never be attained by car. The company is currently licensing its model to realtors across the United States, but the concept is simple, and could be applied virtually anywhere (reminds us of City Running Tours, which combines sightseeing and exercise). Of course, Boulder is an exceptionally fit kind of town, so realtors and other service providers in similarly health-conscious areas: this one's especially for you.