Posted on by Guest Writer
Downtown Revitalization Plan - Biz X magazine
09
Dec

“Strengthen the Core” Update: City Launches “Let’s Talk Windsor” Project Page for Downtown Revitalization Plan

In May 2024, City Council unanimously approved the Strengthen the Core: Downtown Windsor Revitalization Plan (STC) to address safety and security; improve cleanliness through improvements and activations; and attract new investments, businesses, residents and visitors to the city’s core. Following the first progress report to City Council on November 25, 2024, the City is launching a dedicated Let’s Talk Windsor project page for the Strengthen the Core (STC) initiative. This new webpage is designed to engage the community and provide important updates, resources, and opportunities to contribute to the transformation underway in downtown Windsor. 

“The work put in and the progress made to date to Strengthen the Core of downtown Windsor is a testament to the commitment that the City of Windsor, City Council, and our amazing community partners have to this plan. We are dedicated and focused on doing everything we can to revitalize downtown, and this incredible effort requires widespread support every step of the way. With new resources like the Let’s Talk Windsor webpage, I look forward to seeing the community even more engaged in this work and in being part of the revival underway in the heart of the city.” – Councillor Renaldo Agostino, Ward 3

The STC plan’s seven initial action items prioritize collaboration, innovative responses to challenges, and impactful initiatives that support revitalization of the city core. In support of the overall program, the Let’s Talk webpage will be a central hub that includes the following:

  • Updates on progress in each of the seven initial action items
  • Highlights of key milestones
  • Partner profiles showcasing collaboration with organizations and stakeholders
  • Interactive tools to gather public feedback, ideas and questions, as needed
  • Progress reports on enhanced community safety initiatives; beautification efforts; and activations, projects and events

First STC Progress Report

On November 25, 2024, City administration presented the first STC progress report to City Council, providing updates across all seven action items, including the following:

1.    Safe Streets

  • 12 additional sworn officers dedicated to the Windsor Police Service City Centre Patrol
  • 40 additional sworn auxiliary police within parks and trails in the core, and beyond
  • Over 5,000 resolved 311 service calls in the core
  • Extended hours for the Nurse Police Team and Crisis Response Team, averaging 69 calls per month

2.    High Standards

  • 1 new by-law officer dedicated to the downtown core
  • 13 orders issued to building owners for non-compliance with building standards
  • 300 by-law officer hours patrolled since May 2024
  • 10 benches relocated in the core
  • 10 new and upgraded garbage receptacles available in the core

3.    Healthy Spaces

  • Over 45 extended hours per month at the Homelessness and Housing Help Hub (H4)
  • Over 14,000 hot meals served at the H4
  • Increased physician hours at H4, and expanded services to support the community

4.    Place-Making

  • Over $4 million allocated through incentive programs to downtown businesses
  • 421 new residential units approved for downtown Windsor

5.    Vibrant District

  • Over 1,000 new beautification efforts
  • Over 90 approved events driving $7.9 million in consumer spending in the third quarter
  • Approximately 46,000 attendees at events hosted by the Downtown Windsor Business Improvement Association (DWBIA), including events co-hosted with the City of Windsor

6.    Our Downtown

  • Collaborating with key community partners, including the DWBIA, Tourism Windsor Essex Pelee Island, the Windsor Symphony Orchestra, Windsor International Film Festival (WIFF), Art Windsor-Essex, University of Windsor, St. Clair College and others on creating, marketing, and delivering exciting events and initiatives in the core

7.    Stronger Together

  • 25 external partners actively engaged in the work of the STC plan
  • Creation of 4 roundtables to strengthen collaboration between community stakeholders

For up-to-date information on the STC plan, visit the Let’s Talk Windsor project page.

Summary of key Strengthen the Core milestones to date:

  • April 23, 2024 – Mayor Dilkens launched Strengthen the Core: Downtown Windsor Revitalization Plan.
  • April 27, 2024 – City of Windsor and downtown stakeholders show what’s possible with Windsor’s NFL Draft Party hosted in the core.
  • May 13, 2024 – City Council unanimously endorses the $3.2M Strengthen the Core plan.
  • May 15, 2024 – Windsor Police Service welcomes 41 new members to the Auxiliary Patrol Service of the WPS.
  • May 21, 2024 – City launches recruitment for a Senior Economic Development Officer to oversee implementation of Strengthen the Core, and work to integrate the plan’s 7 initial action items into a cohesive framework.
  • May 29, 2024 – Windsor Police Service, Windsor Regional Hospital and Hôtel-Dieu Grace Healthcare announce expansion of the Nurse Police Team to 7 days per week to support those struggling with substance use and related challenges;  and the Crisis Response Team pairing frontline police officers with social workers to better support individuals in mental health crisis, with hours expanded to 7 days per week, from 7:00 a.m. to 1:00 a.m. to provide overlap coverage during peak hours and reduce the number of calls to which patrol units must respond.
  • May 31, 2024 – Housing Solutions Made for Windsor launches Caron Avenue Site EOI, and two additional sites for development – former Grace Hospital Site, and the former Windsor Arena – with all three announcements representing development for prime downtown Windsor sites.
  • June 3, 2024 – Development and Heritage Standing Committee approves proposed 16-storey, 88-unit residential development planned for Chatham Street and Caron Avenue.
  • June 7, 2024 – Adventure Bay Family Water Park announces expansion of hours at the park, increasing access to the downtown community amenity.
  • June 11, 2024 – City launches new Vacant Home Tax program to help increase housing supply and create more vibrant neighbourhoods across the city, including in the downtown core.
  • June 11, 2024 – Council approves construction of the new City Hall Square Outdoor Ice Rink and gathering space, as part of the Civic Esplanade project, to create a versatile, year-round space for public events, announcements, and concession opportunities in the heart of downtown.
  • June 17, 2024 – Windsor Police Service begins pilot of innovative local tech to provide real-time information on the location of WPS officers, and supply deployment of officers, adding in another layer of connectivity and bolstering community safety.
  • June 18, 2024 – City Council endorsed and supported an expansion of hours at the City’s Homelessness and Housing Help Hub (H4) from 8:00 a.m. to midnight, seven days per week, including holidays; and expanded amenities offered at the site in partnership with the Canadian Mental Health Association – Windsor-Essex County Branch, Housing Information Services, and many community stakeholder groups.
  • June 25, 2024 – City hires a new dedicated By-law Property Standards Enforcement Lead in the downtown core and surrounding area.
  • July 29, 2024 – City hires a new Senior Economic Development Officer to oversee implementation of Strengthen the Core, and work to integrate the plan’s 7 initial action items into a cohesive framework.
  • July 21, 2024 – City moves historic Streetcar No. 351 out of storage and to its permanent home at the riverfront Legacy Park, as part of the process to create a new waterfront beacon and gathering/event space downtown.
  • September 27, 2024 – City, in partnership with Downtown Windsor BIA, installs sections of decorative lighting along Ouellette Avenue in the downtown core.
  • September 28, 2024 – As part of the “Fall in Love With Downtown Windsor” weekend, the City announces plans to name and theme the parking levels of the Pelissier Street Parking Garage after famous composers, in partnership with the Windsor Symphony Orchestra, and launches a public call for artists to create two new murals for the main level interior spaces of the garage.
  • October 18, 2024 – City, in partnership with the Downtown Windsor Business Improvement Association, Tourism Windsor Essex Pelee Island, the Windsor-Detroit Tunnel, AM800 CKLW, and local businesses and stakeholders in the city’s downtown core, hosts three Canadian cheer zones to “Line the Drive” for the international half marathon, bringing the excitement of the Detroit Free Press Marathon to Windsor.
  • November 5, 2024 – Housing Solutions Made for Windsor launches Pelissier Street Parking Lot Expression of Interest (EOI). The EOI closes January 28, 2025.
  • November 26, 2024 – Dillon Consulting Ltd., a strong City partner, opens its new downtown offices, investing in the future of downtown Windsor that Strengthen the Core is working to help create and sustain.
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Guest Writer