Just some clarifications.
This is not the first time the issue of downtown access from the Bridge has been dealt with. Several years ago the Bridge requested that the access route to downtown by way of Riverside Drive be closed down. That access to downtown be gained by Wyandotte.
The bridge had several valid safety concerns with keeping this route open, mostly to do with car traffic crossing truck traffic
Notwithstanding the valid bridge concerns, the DWBIA and the city asked the Bridge not close this access as Riverside was an obviously far more convenient, scenic and attractive route to downtown.
Examples
1. You cannot turn left from Wyandotte to Ouellette
2. If you turn before onto pelissier, most one way streets will lead you west and away from Downtown
3. If you turn after Ouellette One way streets on Park and Pitt will lead you east and away from downtown
4. As much as I like the asian flavor of wyandotte, it will never appeal to tourists as much as our world class waterfront which also has significantly less left turn traffic and traffic lights.
Now these traffic issues are not the fault of the Ambassador Bridge Company. Also, I understand and appreciate that the Ambassador Bridge may very well have perfectly good cause to temporarily close this access. As many have stated at many times, they are concerned with running an efficient operation at their location as they should be.
Many are fearful that in this antagonist climate that the Bridge company may be trying to test the waters to see if it can achieve its previously stated intentions which were to close this exit permanently. Without assigning fault, I personally think it sucks that this type of climate even exists in this day and age.
I think that a simple clarification of the Ambassador Bridge Company regarding the long term use of this downtown access would be appreciated and resolve this once and for all. I for one would be immediately satisfied by a clear statement of this nature by Mr. Stamper as it is the long term strategy for downtown access that is of greater concern. Riverside Drive is how we should want visitors to first experience Windsor rather than a congested and transitional Wyandotte Street. If someone thinks that difference is unimportant, I would suggest that reveals more about them and their motives.
The Casino's downtown road closures are not a comparable situation as the DWBIA was given notice months before the decision was made. In addition to that, Public meetings were held. The DWBIA had the full ability to express its concerns and weigh the pro's and cons. The elected DWBIA board unanimously supported that decision.
The same meetings have also taken place regarding a potential tunnel plaza. Again the situations are not comparable.
Hopefully in the long term, visitors to Windsor will remember their first impression being the Waterfront which we have so heavily invested in as a world Class Showpiece
10 comments:
Hello Windsor!
We have an opportunity to protest against the Feudal abuse of power and property by the Ambassador Bridge Company this Monday, February 18th 1 p.m. Meet at the corner of Wyandotte West and Huron Church Road. Purpose is to protest the arbitrary closing of the bridge's northbound access to Huron Church Road. This is the historic access for tourists and visitors from the US to Olde Sandwich Towne, downtown, the University and the Riverfront. Does Windsor really need to turn off more tourists these days? Does the Ambassador Bridge need to be held accountable for its feudal behaviour? Yes! Meet us on Family Day Monday, 1 p.m.
sponsored by the affected business and home owners
"If someone thinks that difference is unimportant, I would suggest that reveals more about them and their motives."
What a sad statement. What motives would those be? Everyone has a motive, don't they Mark, except you of course.
You had a good post until that, as you stated on my blog, "paranoid" statement.
With regards to the picture of the health conference being held in Windsor May 2-4 2008. Why do people always use a picture of Detroit when promoting Windsor? Yes, the skyline is nice but is isn't OUR city.
Ah Chris. Here we go again with ad hominem attacks. Can't you two debate your points and if no one can conceed a point or two just agree to disagree?
Mark posted on your blog is questions and ideas, you debated, it was left at that. If you have points to be made, make them and move on. Making it personal makes you quite childish in many peoples eyes. Something you are certainly not. Don't let your emotions dictate what is an otherwise smart message by a smart man. It is not only unbecoming but it also makes you petty and small, something I beileve you are not.
Huh, Dave...can't you read
"If someone thinks that difference is unimportant, I would suggest that reveals more about them and their motives."
It's called smearing!
Here we go again...
How is it smearing? By putting out a broad statement with no one being mentioned in particular, you call that smearing?
If you think the statement is wrong then I suggest pointing what is wrong with it and not going into attack mode.
Do you not agree that people who do see differences as unimportant could be a major hinderance to solving complex social issues?
Some people lament that the mayor does not want to see differences and only want his side of issue seen. But when confronted by others they too stay in the same camp as Eddie. What is the difference?
By stating what is happening and to some extent stating what is perceived to be a fact isn't smearing. Some just need to grow thicker skin. However to whine that someone is attacking them and do just the same is silly. It seems that when people in power draw a line in the sand it is wrong but when the same people who condemn that act do the exact same thing and then lament others, well...
So how did the protest go? I had a previous commitment but very curious to know how the turnout was today.
I think the protest thing was over the top. Especially without waiting the weekend for a response
If I wanted to smear, I could have gone a lot further and pointed out someone writing about an issue day in and day out for years and leaving out critical facts.
Facts such as the fact that this issue had been addressed by the bridge, city and dwbia before. That it was impressed upon the bridge that this access was a critical issue.
That the bridge had several valid safety concerns about car traffic crossing truck traffic
That the city and DWBIA had several valid safety concerns about express traffic being routed on neighborhood roads and roads that are littered with left turn traffic without left turn lanes
That the City and DWBIA had valid concerns about left turn traffic from wyandotte to Ouellette
That this is an important long term issue that remains unaddressed by any of the parties that are affected.
But this person is supposedly a self expressed expert who knows how to save the entire city. C'mon
I don't claim to know about border issues because I don't read or write about them everyday. I do consider myself an authority on Downtown issues simply because of the work and research I've conducted over the past 3 years.
Just to explain the 3 year comment. Even though I've been downtown since 2001, it wasn't until I joined the CCSERT in 2004, CCWCIP committee in 2003, DWBIA in 2004 that I started really learning the issues. I really never considered myself an authority on the subject until 2006 when I became vice chair/chair.
About the same time a degree would take and probably the same amount of effort
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