[Blitz]

no, for sporting events in Detroit they have special express buses that you can only catch at the bus station.

[upinottawa]

Can't blame them for trying...however this option has been rejected by the joint committee. The Bridge company appears to be willing to do what ever it can to maintain its monopoly and the resulting profits.

Bridge forges ahead with twin span

Dave Battagello, Windsor Star
Published: Thursday, April 27, 2006

Ambassador Bridge officials are pushing forward with plans to build a twin span and have killed a controversial feeder road through Windsor's west end.

Owner Matty Moroun's bridge "Enhancement Project" calls for a new six-lane cable-stayed bridge metres west of the existing 77-year-old crossing, according to environmental assessment documents obtained Wednesday by The Star.

The bridge company plans to use the same Huron Church Road access route and keep the new span contained within existing plazas and property it already owns.

A controversial four-kilometre "ring road" through the city's west end, proposed as a new truck feeder route has been discarded from the company's plans, according to the 34-page package filed three weeks ago with federal and state authorities on both sides of the border.

The new span would allow traffic to continue uninterrupted while the old bridge "is evaluated and rehabilitated, if found to be economically feasible," say documents prepared by American Consulting Engineers of Florida.

The existing bridge would provide "reserve capacity for any unforeseen event until the end of its useful life."

It appears the bridge company is striving to undermine the government's bid to build a public downriver Sandwich-Delray bridge and pre-empt pending federal legislation in Canada, which threatens toll, security and maintenance control of their crossing.

Since it's being unveiled as an expansion of the existing bridge and not a new crossing, bridge company officials are also hoping to avoid the many federal approvals normally required.

Bridge president Dan Stamper did not respond to a message from The Star.

"This project will allow us to maintain traffic on the current corridor," said Scott Korpi, project manager for the Florida firm who is leading the early phases of the bridge twinning application. "The Ambassador Bridge is aging and there needs to be repairs."

Design of the twin span has already begun and is expected to be completed within 18 to 24 months, according to Korpi's document. The bridge's "ring road" is no longer under consideration, Korpi said.

"Huron Church Road currently has and will continue to have more capacity than the proposed bridge crossing," he wrote in a response to Transport Canada included in the documents.

There is no target date slated by the bridge company for construction to begin.

"They want the approvals ASAP, so they can build right away whenever they feel traffic demands it," Korpi said.

The bridge company and engineering firm have been in discussions with Transport Canada to quickly set up a meeting so the next phase of the required environmental assessment can be discussed.

"They will give us a road map on where we have to go," Korpi said. "Whatever we need to do, we will do."

Transport Canada has been speaking with the bridge company about meeting dates and should be getting together sometime within the next few weeks, said spokesman Mark Butler.

"We are obliged to take a look at any project that comes our way," he said.


The federal ministry is a partner in the binational Detroit River International Crossing (DRIC) study, the government effort to determine the next crossing location.

"There are two distinct proposals for a new crossing -- one by the private organization and one under consideration by four levels of government.

"You can't characterize it as a race. They have to meet certain requirements. There are certain hurdles they have to cross."

The binational team is no longer considering any proposal brought forward by the bridge company, said Dave Wake, project manager for DRIC.

"Their recent submission is a separate process," he said.

"We are proceeding as planned and are on target for our timelines. I've seen nothing to date to cause any changes in our timelines."

DRIC hopes to complete construction of a new bridge in 2013.

A new six-lane twin span west of the bridge would move air and noise pollution closer to Sandwich which is "totally unacceptable," said Mary Ann Cuderman, leader of resident's truck watchdog group. She also had serious doubts about the bridge's dropping of its ring road plan.

"I don't trust them for a minute," she said. "Until I see an official notarized document on that -- and even then I won't believe it. They can change their mind on that at any time."

MP Jeff Watson (C -- Essex) said the bridge was welcome to put forward their best case on why the bridge should be twinned.

"(Transport Canada) can determine whether it's in the best interests of the country," he said. "The DRIC has already rejected that scenario."

[arnold]

^
i really hope that the federal government slaps this proposal down. and i have to say that i don't like anything that the bridge company has been up to recently. it all seems so slimy and underhanded and potentially disasterous to both downtown windsor and downtown detroit not to mention what it will do to windsor's west side.

like this stealth bridge twinning, the ring road through sandwich and that idea to route all tunnel traffic along the detroit side of the river and out to one massive customs holding pen... they all benifit no one but the bridge owners.

[upinottawa]

^ Yah, that Detroit plaza plan with the dedicated road running along the river is an incredibly stupid and destructive idea. I think that Kilpatrick accepted it only because it offered short term cash to the City of Detroit. Good thing that Detroit's city council objected.

The Bridge Company's plans continue to run in the face of the international committee's recommendations: it keeps trucks on Huron Church and funnels all traffic to one bridge.

The reason the Bridge is proposing such "solutions" is that the Bridge continues to argue that there is no problem with the current infastructure, there continues to be excess capacity on the bridge and the road, and that US Customs is the real reason for any back logs of traffic.

The Bridge continues to ignore the redundancy arguments, the use of local streets arguments, and the noise and pollution arguments.

[arnold]

here, i guess its my turn to submit a newspaper clipping...

City's goal: $55M arena
Councillors rule out retrofit of Old Barn

Roseann Danese
Windsor Star


Friday, April 28, 2006


In an unusual show of solidarity, city council voted unanimously to forge ahead with plans for a $55-million, four-pad arena, featuring a 7,200-seat rink somewhere in the east side of the city.

Entitled Greater Windsor Multiplex Arena, the proposal was presented Thursday by senior city administrators in response to a council request to "cost out" two options: renovations to Windsor Arena versus building anew.

But council's vote doesn't mean there will be a shovel in the ground anytime soon. "We voted for more information, is basically what we voted for," Coun. Alan Halberstadt said.

SCRAP PROPOSAL

But in doing so, council also opted to scrap the alternative proposal to retrofit Windsor Arena and twin two community ice pads at a cheaper cost of about $39 million. Under the new multiplex scenario, Windsor arena would become a community rink after the new facility is built. Riverside and Adstoll arenas in the city's east end would close.

It was hailed by the new owners of the Windsor Spitfires as a move in the right direction.

Spokesman Warren Rychel said it will be a lot easier to attract young, talented players if a new arena is in the offing -- even if it's three years down the road. "I'm surprised and happy and relieved all in one," Rychel said Thursday.

He said his first move will be to "build a good hockey team."

But he would not say much about whether the new owners are prepared to contribute financially.

Renovating Windsor Arena would not have been a good option for the team.

Rychel said they have no preference for a site, as long as it's easily accessible for fans. He said the 7,200 seats won't be hard to fill. "It's not just about the Windsor Spitfires. It's about getting events here -- figure skating, lacrosse, concerts."

The meeting to present the proposals came out of the blue and had a few councillors concerned about the lack of public notice.

Coun. David Cassivi, the longest serving councillor, left the meeting before the vote, but suggested it was premature to make decisions before knowing whether Windsor Raceway is still interested in a partnership.

"There's been an impression created in this community that the mayor and city council do not care about the success of Windsor Raceway," Cassivi said.

Mayor Eddie Francis said he will be meeting with Tony Toldo Sr. soon to discuss the city's role in helping the raceway succeed.

But several councillors confirmed the east-end location is a done deal. It's now a matter of finding the land. At least 30 acres will be required for the proposed complex.

'Heard rumours'

Coun. Tom Wilson said he's "heard rumours" about land available on Lauzon Road, next to the Lear plant, but nothing is confirmed.

But Wilson said word is spreading among developers in town. If the new four-pad multiplex is built in the east end, there would be eight ice pads within a short distance of each other, if the rinks in the Town of Tecumseh are counted. The cluster of rinks would make the city a sports-entertainment destination for hockey tournaments and other ice sports.

"You've got developers who want to build hotels out there," he said.

The new arena could be paid off by 2010, without borrowing a penny, according to city treasurer Onorio Colucci. Money will be freed in 2008 after many of the city's larger capital projects are paid off through a pay-as-you-go plan that was implemented in 2002. In 2008, $15 million will be available. In 2009, $23.5 million will become available and in 2010, $36.4 million will be free to use for a new arena. A one per cent capital levy that was tacked onto tax bills back in 2002, to pay for large projects, was to have ended in 2009, but could continue in 2010 to help pay for the arena, according to Colucci.

THREE PHASES

The arena could be built in three phases, with the two regular-sized ice pads going up first, followed by the Olympic-size pad and then the main rink.

Rychel said the sooner it begins, the better.

"The draft is two weeks away and we've been on the phone talking to people and the big concern is what's happening with the arena.

"We have total faith in the mayor and city council."

The $55-million pricetag includes basic "fit-up costs," such as a basic scoreboard versus a Jumbotron. The construction cost also does not include land costs, architectural and project management costs or cost overruns, which could be as high as 10 per cent.

But the facility would generate a profit, according to early projections, mainly because of operational efficiencies and greater revenue opportunities.

© The Windsor Star 2006

[Blitz]

It's about time you started pulling your weight around here Arnold! As for the arena thing, I'll believe it when I see it. Now they're talking about Lauzon Road? Wtf?

[arnold]

yeah i noticed that comment as well. and although nothing is certain, my bet is that city council is going to duff this one. they're going to go the same route with this new arena as both mississauga and brampton did with theirs... they're going to put them out in a big box strip mall on the fringes of town. which sucks because its a huge wasted opportunity.

but by going this big with one four-pad complex, i guess it limits the amount of sites you'll be able to find inside of the city proper thus making it more of a suburban proposal.

but just think of it this way, now junior hockey teams from all over ontario will be able to take the train to attend the games in windsor, because the new VIA station at the airport (!) will be so close and convenient to the new rink.


seriously though, windsor has a few major urban planning decisions pending that will really shape the city for the next few decades. like the urban village, the location of the new VIA station and this arena. and given the city councils past track record... i'd say that anything (good or bad) is possible. i've really got my fingers crossed.

[Blitz]

Well, it's an election year so of course the arena is making headlines again. I'm not fully confident in this council handling the arena issue. I expect Francis will have no trouble being re-elected, some of the councillors may be on thin ice though.

[upinottawa]

I see no problem with consolidating the "community arenas" although such a consolidation is actually building more of a regional sportsplex to replace community arenas.

However, I would like the city to build a stand alone main arena for the Spits, University of Windsor varsity, St. Clair College varsity, figure skating, concerts, curling championships, etc. Look at the success London has had with the JLA. Look at the civic pride that facility has generated! People from out of town see that facility and are impressed. If Windsor had built its new arena out at the race track, no one from out of town would ever see it. Ottawa's Scotiabank Place is a great example of a suburban arena in the middle of nowhere that does nothing for civic pride.

Anyway, here is Gord Henderson's take on the arena situation (it is unfortunate that Gord essentially has a monopoly on print column's with respect to Windsor):

Cautiously optimistic

Gord Henderson, Windsor Star
Published: Saturday, April 29, 2006

Ooh boy. Here we go again. That was my gut reaction as I moved my battered wallet to a more secure place while nervously appraising the news that the City of Windsor is contemplating a $55.4-million arena project.

Could this be 2002 revisited? Could it be a replay of the gruesome exercise that saw $3.5 million squandered in former mayor Mike Hurst's go-it-alone downtown arena crusade that, in the end, proved much too costly at $52 million and change? If $52 million was, in Hurst's words, "simply too expensive to go forward," how could $55.4 million be a reasonable price four years later?

The answer, of course, is that there's been a mind-boggling transformation of Windsor's finances over the past two-and-a-half years, from fiscal basket case to a city that has cash jingling in its pocket and revenue streams in its future to match its aspirations.

Concerned that this could be another half-baked dream chase, I asked Mayor Eddie Francis to walk me through the numbers Friday. He did. And at the end of the process I understood why councillors agreed unanimously to move on to the next stage and get more detailed information.

Bottom line. Thanks to the pay-as-you-go policy introduced by former finance czar Roman Martiuk and, especially, the current council's debt reduction strategy, Windsor's longterm debt is more than $100 million less than had been anticipated. Instead of the $276 million debt projected for the end of 2006, it's expected to come in at $161 million.

I'm no accountant. I still have nightmares about high school algebra exams. But it doesn't take a mathematical wizard to recognize that Windsor, under its current leadership, has made a spectacular financial comeback.

And it gets better. By turning its finances around and funding major projects out of revenues, Windsor is saving $81.7 million in interest payment over 20 years, more than $4 million annually, that would have been paid on debentures.

TORRENTS OF MONEY

By 2009, when major projects like the Norwich Block fiasco, the city hall welfare tower mistake and the new Huron Lodge at St. Clair College have been paid off, the city will find itself with torrents of money flowing in and no major funding obligations. In 2009 it will have an additional $23.5 million available, in 2010 $36.4 million and in 2011 another $36.4 million.

Taxpayers like me, long accustomed to thinking of Windsor as being one step removed from the poorhouse, have a hard time getting our heads around the concept of this city keeping a lid on taxes while having cash available for big projects.

"If this was 2002 financial circumstances, it wouldn't even be talked about. But our financial prudence is paying off and giving us flexibility. We can pay for this (the arena complex) without going to debentures and without going to the taxpayers," explained Francis. He cautioned that this is still early in the process and the numbers are preliminary. "There's a lot of work that needs to be done. And unless there's a solid business case that can be justified, nothing will happen."

One of the stronger arguments in favour of building this four-pad arena complex is that it will generate significant savings in operating costs for decades to come.

Riverside Arena, Adstoll Arena and the Edward Street recreation centre are all money losers that require subsidization by city taxpayers and are in urgent need of replacement. Moving those operations to a four-plex that would turn a small profit annually and turning Windsor Arena into a civic rink could generate savings of as much as $700,000 annually over the status quo.

You never know. The price might mushroom out of sight by the time the experts finish crunching the numbers. If so, the project will end up on the shelf and planning for the Barn's centennial bash will move into high gear.

But I have a feeling that this time it might be for real. A city council that's facing re-election in November would like nothing better, especially given the buzz around the new Spitfires ownership, than to be able to boast that it got the arena monkey off Windsor's back and managed to do it without bashing the taxpayers.

Success has its rewards. And the reward for the city's fiscal rectitude, for paying off the mortgage and cutting up the credit cards, so to speak, would be a spanking new arena to rival the likes of Mississauga, Barrie, Sarnia and London.

And if it doesn't happen this time? Kiss it goodbye for a generation.

ghenderson@thestar.canwest.com

© The Windsor Star 2006

[upinottawa]

Could Metro Detroit be getting its act together on a new rapid transit system? It looks like the proper legislation will soon be in place to make this happen. If Metro Detroit is able to develop a somewhat comprehensive system, will Windsor commuters use the system? Will the city/provincial transit systems tap into and connect with the Detroit system? GO Transit south anyone? I should take my medication....



Detroit-Ann Arbor mass transit would get funding from new deal

By Amy Lane
6:00 am, May 1, 2006

LANSING — Local funding for light rail or other mass transit between Detroit and Ann Arbor could be back on track, under an agreement struck between Gov. Jennifer Granholm and Republican legislative leaders.

The agreement breaks a political logjam and will allow for a to-be-created Southeast Michigan transit authority, and others in Michigan, to levy property taxes for up to 25 years to provide a federally required local funding source to operate projects like light rail, commuter rail and bus rapid transit.

Past bills gave that funding mechanism only to Grand Rapids, prompting dispute over why just one area of the state should benefit, and concern that the exclusionary measure would threaten the future of a Southeast Michigan light-rail system or other options under study.

The new legislation being drafted by state Rep. Jerry Kooiman, R-Grand Rapids, “provides a level playing field for all areas of the state to access federal funding. I think that’s the bottom line,” said Sarah Hubbard, vice president of government relations for the Detroit Regional Chamber.

The bill will allow local governments that form an authority under 1986 Michigan law to levy the 25-year millage, with voter approval. Public Act 196 of 1986 currently allows the authorities to levy such taxes for no more than five years. The authorities can include two or more counties, cities, villages and townships.

Kooiman said the federal government requires agencies that move forward with rapid transit to demonstrate they can operate the system for 20 years. He said the government doesn’t want to invest in infrastructure “that can’t be operated long-term.” The millage is the type of financial commitment needed to secure federal transit dollars.

The federal government awarded the Southeast Michigan Council of Governments a $100 million grant to study and enact mass-transit alternatives. Consultant Parsons Brinckerhoff of Michigan is analyzing five options for bus rapid transit, commuter rail and light rail, running between Ann Arbor, Detroit and Detroit Metropolitan Airport.

Carmine Palombo, SEMCOG director of transportation planning, said the consultants should complete their analysis by month’s end and SEMCOG hopes in early June to release the findings.

[arnold]

Success has its rewards. And the reward for the city's fiscal rectitude, for paying off the mortgage and cutting up the credit cards, so to speak, would be a spanking new arena to rival the likes of Mississauga, Barrie, Sarnia and London.

sure... all of these cities have their shiny new OHL arenas. but like i said before, mississagua's new rink is located in a sparsely populated office park just off of the 403 and basically contributes nothing aside from the fact that its an arena. same with its neighbour in brampton.

on the other hand, london's highly acclaimed downtown arena is a run away success and a huge boost to downtown london's urban fabric. it draws crowds of people downtown for hockey games, concerts and various other "sporting events" (read: pro wrestling). but these crowds come downtown and spend money in all of the local shops and resturants. all of which is highly desireable stuff. in fact, its what most cities and towns have been trying so hard to do for the past decade or two.

so IMO, by deciding to build this mega-pad complex, coupled with the proposed location out on the fringes of town, windsor city council is missing out on a great opportunity to positivley impact a more deserving part of the city. like downtown. or the university. or midtown.

this approach reeks of short-sighted, big box store mentality where all that matters is the end result.

[upinottawa]

Arnold, I agree.

I think a London-style arena would add a lot to the city (and more importantly add to city's self-esteem). Building a multipad sportsplex outside the city centre may be a cost-effective solution for the short-term, but it would be a missed opportunity. London managed to incorporate private funds into the building/operation of the JLA, Windsor should follow that model (and even seek partnerships with U of W and the College).

With the Senators now in the second round of the playoffs, I can only imagine what it would be like to the have the Sens play downtown and the spin off business that would be generated.

[Blitz]

The main issue seems to be where are they going to build it if they don't use the City Centre West lands. The city is really high on an urban village there but if they do go ahead with an urban village, they better damn well do it right.

[upinottawa]

If my memory serves me correctly...

the "Urban Village" idea was the brainchild of a Michigan company that wanted the exclusive right to build an urban village and an arena on the Western Super Anchor site.

I know that the city's plans have changed, put there must be enough room on that site to build the urban village and a single pad arena (without surface parking). Any thoughts?

[upinottawa]

Here is the area. The city website says it is 50 acres. Done properly, I think an arena could be placed in there.

http://www.citywindsor.ca/DisplayAttach.asp?AttachID=4543&imagesize=large

[arnold]

^ yeah, i think that they could definatley cram a single pad arena into that area as long as parking was burried. and there are probably a few other places scattered around the downtown/midtown/university area that they could try. what about all of the rundown warehouses and vacant lots on and around wyandotte inbetween downtown and the UofW?

i'd even prefer to see it go out near "market square" at the end of ottawa street. at least that way, buisnesses on ottawa could benifit from the increase of foot traffic. i mean, they have such a great opportunity to design a really great public space and enhance some of the existing shopping streets...

[Blitz]

They could certainly fit it in if they didn't build any parking but I can't see them going the non-parking route.

[upinottawa]

Does Windsor Arena have a surface lot? For some reason I think it doesn't, but there must be plenty of adjacent lots nearby.

[arnold]

i believe that it has a small lot attached that is used by employees and players. but yeah, downtown windsor has several parking garages (at least four sizeable ones that i can remember) that could be used for event nights. add in street parking and/or access via windsor transit and i bet that they could accomodate the crowds without problem.

[upinottawa]

From today's Windsor Star:

Parks to replace rails
Long-term urban renewal to convert 55 km of track

Dalson Chen, Windsor Star
Published: Tuesday, May 02, 2006

Windsor will be transformed forever by an ambitious plan to replace its train tracks with green space, says Mayor Eddie Francis.

"These old rail lines act as barriers," said Francis in his annual state of the city address on Monday.

"They produce noise and vibration impact that reduces the quality of life in our city."

Standing before an audience of hundreds at the Chrysler Theatre, Francis described a long-term urban renewal project that will convert 55 kilometres of rail lines currently crossing the city from "a rundown, divisive old web" into a system of trails.

"It will run through all five wards, connecting neighbourhoods to one another, creating green space and recreational paths, converting brownfields and scrap yards -- all the way to the riverfront," the mayor said.

REMOVING OLD LINES

Francis said a nearly completed rail study conducted in partnership with Transport Canada will provide a framework for consolidating the city's six major rail corridors into one, allowing old lines to be removed with little impact to train traffic.

Although planning documents are still in development and funding has yet to be secured, Francis said he hopes for work to be underway within five years and compared the concept's magnitude to the remaking of Windsor's riverfront in the late '90s.

"If the riverfront was the urban renewal project for the 20th century, then we must build upon that legacy and begin the urban renewal project of the 21st century," he said.

Other quality of life issues were also highlighted in Francis's 2006 state of the city address -- the third he's delivered during his term as Windsor's mayor.

Francis said he and council are developing Windsor's first environmental master plan, and it will see one million new trees planted throughout the city.

But Francis saved his strongest comments for the coming third border crossing, vowing that he and council will stand with citizens. "We will defend this city against any cheap intrusion into our communities," he promised. "I will not sacrifice the interests of our citizens for a quick fix, or a cheap fix."

Francis criticized the Detroit River International Crossing process for not making air quality improvement a part of its mandate. "Their mandate is only not to make it any worse," he said. "I find that absolutely unacceptable."

Francis said he also won't accept a 12-lane at-grade freeway, which is one of the options under consideration by the DRIC.

"We believe we can get trucks off our city streets and out of our neighbourhoods," Francis said.

Asked to be specific about what recourse the city would take, Francis said: "There are a number of options available to us. Let's just hope it doesn't get down to that."

- - -

CITY DEBT TO FALL

Financial stability will continue to be an area of focus in city council's vision for Windsor, Mayor Eddie Francis said Monday in his 2006 state of the city address.

According to Francis, Windsor's municipal debt is projected to be $161 million by the end of this year -- down from initial projections of $276 million.

Other areas of focus include corporate stability and infrastructure development.

Francis said that 69 per cent of this year's capital budget will be devoted to roads and sewers, up from 54 per cent in 2005.

"One of the complaints I'm getting now is that there's too much road construction, and too much sewer and water work happening," Francis said. "If that's a complaint, then I'm happy."

© The Windsor Star 2006

[Blitz]

The state of the city address last night was really good. Francis sure seems to have his head on straight for being so young.

[upinottawa]

Link to the Mayor's State of the City address:

http://www.citywindsor.ca/2006StateoftheCityAddress.pdf

[upinottawa]

Any word on how the plans for the new city jail are progressing?

I have read that a class action may be filed with respect to the conditions of the old jail. Also at least one person has received extra credit for time served in that facility because of the deplorable conditions.

[Blitz]

Haven't heard anything about the jail. The conditions are pretty bad but hey, they're criminals. Canada's justice system is a joke anyway.

[upinottawa]

Although the benefits may not be seen for another 10 years, the rails to trails initiative could be the qualify of life factor that gives Windsor an incredible shot in the arm. The new trail system would provide Windsorites with a source of pride and something to brag about to people outside the city. An extensive urban trail system would be a wonderful selling point for getting people to move to Windsor. If only the dollar and the US WHTI would cooperate....

More rail discussion from the Windsor Star's Gordo:

Liability to asset

Gord Henderson, Windsor Star
Published: Thursday, May 04, 2006

We call it The Rose City but a more apt title for Windsor would be Bondage Burg, given the 55 kilometres of railway line and 75 rail crossings that tie this city up in knots.

It's a dubious claim to fame, but Windsor boasts the highest concentration of track per capita of any city in Canada and more than 11,000 Windsor homes (a staggering 13 per cent of all dwellings) are located within three football field lengths of a railway line.

The wrong side of the tracks? Hell. We all live on the wrong side of the tracks in Windsor, given their almost universal presence here.

But could this city's worst feature (apart from Zalev) become its greatest asset? That's the argument Mayor Eddie Francis was making during his state-of-the-city address when he invoked the memory of the late Roy Battagello, Windsor's waterfront warrior, in pushing a rails-to-trails plan that would extend the riverfront park system along vacated rail corridors.

"Roy. We hear you," said Francis in vowing to build on the riverfront legacy left by visionaries like Battagello and the late mayor Bert Weeks in making rail corridor transformation Windsor's urban renewal project of the 21st Century.

Nancy Battagello, Roy's widow, told me she's delighted with the initiative. "I think it's wonderful. Way back when Roy had his original vision for the riverfront, he had an idea for greenways running through the city and county. If he was here, he'd be giving Eddie a lot of advice."

But she warned the proposal, like her husband's riverfront vision, is bound to face hostility from a segment of the community that will dismiss it as a costly pipedream and a misuse of tax dollars that could be used to fill potholes.

BATTAGELLO THICK-SKINNED

"It will come up against a lot of criticism," said Battagello. She pointed out that her husband ran into waves of negativity over greening the riverfront "but he was very thick-skinned so he just plodded along." The problem, she said, is that many people live only for the moment and don't see their obligation to make improvements that will primarily benefit future generations.

Fortunately, said Battagello, more and more people are travelling and seeing how things are done elsewhere and they appreciate living in a city that's aesthetically pleasing.

Decades of clamouring and bickering preceded that historic 1999 Riverwalk in which 6,000 residents commemorated the formal opening of this city's pride and joy, its 4.7 kilometre ribbon of green from the Ambassador Bridge to the Hiram Walker distillery.

But the next great leap forward could come faster. "Absolutely it will happen," said Francis, referring to plans for an intermodal transportation facility at Windsor Airport that would enable the railway companies to consolidate their operations here.

The mayor, who recently toured an intermodal terminal in Dallas County, Texas, said Transport Canada, rail companies and the city are working in partnership here and there's a sense of urgency, given the financial imperative of alleviating pressure on seaports and removing freight bottlenecks.

If rationalization takes place after complex negotiations among the involved parties, what happens to those many kilometres of abandoned track? Fortunately, said Francis, much of the homework has been done. Technical studies are complete or nearing completion and it's time to consult the community and begin making plans.

Well bring it on, because I can't think of anything that would do more for Windsor's quality of life, not to mention its self-image, than wiping out dozens of traffic-strangling level crossings and turning its butt-ugly rail corridors into green pathways linking all parts of the city.

Imagine being able to walk or cycle from South Windsor to the riverfront without facing a gauntlet of homicidal drivers. Imagine if the overwhelming success of the Ganatchio Trail, the couch potato's worst nightmare, could be duplicated across this city. Imagine if your neighbourhood, like mine, were close to a tree-lined and flower-strewn recreational trail rather than a grimy train route.

Toronto's great lifestyle advantage is its hidden network of leafy ravines. Windsor's big edge as a place to live could some day be its extensive trail system.

Francis, who has set a two-term limit on himself, said he obviously won't be in office to see this vision of a vastly more inviting Windsor completed "but we've got to get it started."

The sooner the better.

ghenderson@thestar.canwest.com

[Blitz]

That would really be something to be proud of and it's a great idea. Just look at how well-used the Ganatchio Trail is...even after the city widened the whole thing, it still gets crowded.

[upinottawa]

One of the great things about living in Ottawa is having the Canal -- it is amazing to see all the people using the world's longest skating rink in the winter and the jogging paths in the summer. The adds so much to the quality of life.

The new trail system has the potential to do the same for Windsor. If the entire 55 kms are transformed into trials, I wonder where that would put Windsor with respect to other Canadian cities in a comparison of length/square feet of trails/parks?

[Blitz]

We already have our fair share of trails but most of them are confined to the far east and west ends of town. Over the last few years they've added dozens of kms of bike lanes to city streets as well.

[upinottawa]

These guys never give up. From today's Windsor Star:

DRTP pitches greener route
Tunnelling, trail up for debate

Dave Battagello, Windsor Star
Published: Friday, May 05, 2006

Backers of a border traffic proposal are willing to discuss tunnelling and greenway options for its rail corridor, former mayor Mike Hurst told city councillors Thursday.

The Detroit River Tunnel Partnership (DRTP) has been a controversial proposal because of its environmental and financial impact on homeowners in South Windsor and the city's west end.

"We hope to create some pause and reflection, then hopefully some response from the city," said Hurst, the DRTP's chief executive.

"If we can assist in moving trucks through a tunnel it would be a huge win for everybody."

DRTP is a partnership between CP Railway and Borealis Infrastructure, an arms-length entity of the Ontario Municipal Employees Retirement System (OMERS). They jointly own a 14-kilometre stretch of the CASO rail corridor and the Detroit River rail tunnel.

The border traffic proposal hopes to convert the corridor for truck traffic and build a new rail tunnel.

Timing for renewed consideration of DRTP fits in with the city's latest push to have border truck traffic sent through a tunnel, plus its vision to consolidate the city's railway lines and convert the property into green space, Hurst said.

"We want to bring our thinking out to the public and engage in some discussion," he said.

A binational government team assigned to select the next crossing location has dismissed the DRTP plan.

Among the problems cited was the impact on a handful of South Windsor subdivisions, plus the project's proposed joint Canada-U.S. customs truck plaza in the city's centre inside the Van De Water rail yard, located behind Tecumseh Road West near the Bowlero bowling centre.

Greening of rail corridors and the border crossing debate are two separate issues, said Coun. Fulvio Valentinis, chairman of the city's rail issues committee.

"They are not necessarily married to each other," he said.

Regardless of what happens with the DRTP's rail corridor, the project's two-lane, 96-year-old rail tunnel is not a viable alternative for a new border crossing to handle truck traffic into the next century, Valentinis said.

"There are some real serious challenges there," he said.

But greening of rail tracks is something the whole community can embrace, said Valentinis, noting the ongoing joint city-federal rail consolidation study expected to be completed this fall.

© The Windsor Star 2006

[upinottawa]

City vows bridge will open

Roseann Danese, Windsor Star
Published: Tuesday, May 09, 2006

A long-awaited bridge that will take commuters to their homes on the city's far east side will be open by year's end, city officials promise.

Work on the Wyandotte Street extension at Riverdale Avenue will begin in June. The first phase of the work will extend the road to Martinique Drive and eventually to Florence Avenue after the city purchases the land from developer Coco Paving, said Mike Palanacki, acting general manager of public works.

A $4-million bridge that crosses Little River was installed last year. The span is part of an $8.8-million extension of Wyandotte, from Riverdale to -- eventually -- Banwell Road. The bridge features two car lanes plus bike routes, with the potential for expansion to four lanes.

Construction of the project stopped, however, after the bridge's arches were installed late last year. And because it's taken a long time for the work to resume, rumours started to circulate in the neighbourhood about the structural stability of the bridge.

BRIDGE 'OVERDESIGNED'

Palanacki dispelled questions about the bridge's soundness. "This bridge, if anything, is over designed," he said.

The delay was the result of "funding shortfalls" and difficulties acquiring the property. The city has not been able to reach a deal with Coco for the land it needs to expand Wyandotte and may have to initiate expropriation.

The city's long-term goal is to have drivers use Wyandotte instead of Riverside Drive. With the explosion of residential development on the far east side, westbound commuter traffic on Riverside Drive has increased. "It's basically at the saturation point," Palanacki said. "Riverside Drive cannot handle additional traffic volumes."

The multimillion-dollar Wyandotte extension is one of many projects aimed at fixing the city's roads and sewers. In total, almost $60 million will be spent this year on infrastructure projects throughout the city.

"It's almost double what we've spent in the last few years," Palanacki said. "Expect a lot of detours this year."

© The Windsor Star 2006

[Blitz]

That Wyandotte Street extension is definitely needed and the new bridge sure is rather extravagant.

[upinottawa]

Looking at the Google map, the area of the city where Wyandotte ends is a bit odd. It appears (from the sat. image) to be part park land and part farm land. I might be wrong.

It appears like there is great development potential in that area. Regardless, moving traffic from Riverside Drive should be a plus. I am of the view that the Drive should be used for "a nice drive" rather than as a commuter road.

[upinottawa]

I will divide this into two posts:

- post 1 will be the relevant portion of John Ibbitson's article in today's Globe and Mail

- post 2 will be the Windsor portion of Deb Matthews' thesis


Canada's future rests with open-door immigration

JOHN IBBITSON

...

But if anyone has any doubt about the fundamental importance of immigration to Canada's future, they should talk to the remarkable Deb Matthews.

Not only is she an Ontario Liberal MPP and parliamentary secretary, she is president of the Ontario Liberal Party, the mother of three grown children, and earlier this year she successfully defended her PhD thesis. And what have you done with your life?

Ms. Matthews's thesis focuses on how demographic forces will reshape Canadian cities. One portion of the dissertation projects the future population for 26 Canadian urban centres, assuming no changes to the current fertility rates, internal migration patterns, or immigration levels.

Under these conditions, over the next 20 years, Greater Toronto will grow from five million to seven million people; Vancouver will grow from two million to 2.8 million; Calgary will swell from one million to 1.6 million, and Ottawa from 830,000 to 1.2 million.

But outside the major cities, there is only stagnation and decline. Sudbury will slump from 160,000 to 110,000. Quebec City, Trois-Rivières, Sherbrooke and Saguenay will all lose population, although Montreal will experience modest growth (from 3.5 million to four million).

Saskatoon and Winnipeg will win slight gains, but Regina and Thunder Bay will go downhill. Halifax will gain a few thousand souls, while St. John's and Saint John will shrink.

With these same variables, by mid-century the Golden Horseshoe, Windsor, Calgary, Edmonton, Ottawa and Vancouver will still be growing. Every other city in the country will be losing population.

[upinottawa]

Here is the relevant portion of Deb Matthews' thesis. The entire thesis can be found at http://www.debmatthews.onmpp.ca/PhD_Thesis.pdf

4.6.5 Windsor

Windsor is one of the big surprises of this study, since, under the medium immigration scenario, it is the second-fastest growing CMA in Canada, just behind Calgary and ahead of Toronto. It is projected to almost double in size over the next 50 years if current trends continue.

Under the medium immigration projection, Windsor’s population is projected to grow from 316,000 in 2001 to almost 616,000 in 2051. The growth is projected to occur at all ages (Figure 4.11). If immigration levels were reduced to 50,000, Windsor would still grow by 70 percent to 538,000, and if immigration levels were increased to 400,000, Windsor’s population would grow by 115 percent to close to 700,000 people.

The largest source of Windsor’s growth is international migration, which, in the initial year of the projection, adds almost 10 people per thousand to its population. This growth is compounded by strong internal migration of almost seven per thousand and natural increase of close to four per thousand.

Windsor has slightly more than its share of immigrants overall. While Windsor represents just over 1 percent of Canada’s population, it is home to 1.25 percent of Canada’s immigrants, one quarter of whom are from Southern Europe. Other regions with large communities in Windsor are West Central Asia and the Middle East (12.8 percent of immigrants in Windsor), and Eastern Europe (11.2 percent). Windsor holds a disproportionate attraction for people born in West Central Asia and the Middle East, having become home to almost three times the numbers that would be expected given its population. People born in Southern Europe and in the USA are also drawn to Windsor in numbers greater than expected.

Recent immigrants have been attracted to Windsor in even greater numbers than immigrants overall, and represent 3.2 percent of Windsor’s population, compared to 2.0 percent of Canada’s population. About one-fifth of Windsor’s recent immigrants were born in West Central Asia and the Middle East, and another fifth in Southern Asia. Eastern Asia, Southern Europe and Eastern Europe also have significant communities of recent immigrants in Windsor.

Windsor is a particularly strong draw for recent immigrants from specific regions of the world. Almost 5 percent of recent immigrants in Canada from the USA live in Windsor, Southern Europe (over 4 percent), and West Central Asia and the Middle East (over 3 percent). While Windsor attracts immigrants from a wide range of regions, it attracts fewer than its share from the Caribbean and Bermuda, Central and South America, and North and West Europe.

As mentioned above, Windsor attracts a significant number of people from within Canada. Of the 26 CMAs, Windsor ranks number four in its rate of internal migration. Far more of those come from within Ontario (5.1 per thousand) than from other provinces (1.6 per thousand).

Windsor also benefits from natural increase until very close to 2041, when there will be a slight loss of 0.2 per thousand population, making it third in Canada, behind Calgary at 1.9 and Toronto at 0.6 per thousand.

All age groups increase in size over the projection period under all four scenarios, however, the increases are greatest in the older age groups. While the under-25 age group is projected to increase by 60 percent under the medium immigration scenario, the 65 and over age group is projected to come close to tripling between 2001 and 2051, with the largest increases at the highest ages.

As we have seen elsewhere, the age structure of Windsor is little affected by immigration levels. Over the projection period, the under-25 group will decline from 34 percent to 27 percent, the 25-64 age group will be relatively unchanged at about 55 percent, but the 65 and over age group will substantially increase from 12 percent to 18 percent.

The population pyramid for females in Windsor shows projected increases in all ages throughout the 50 years of the projection, with the 30 to 55-year old age bracket remaining the largest age group.

Windsor is one CMA that is well-positioned to have steady growth in the future. It has become an attractive destination for newcomers to Canada and still attracts substantial numbers from within Canada. That combination keeps its population relatively young, and for the next 35 years or so, is expected to benefit from natural increase. Unlike many Canadian cities of its size, Windsor’s greatest challenge may be to manage the growth that is projected.

[Blitz]

Interesting, and not really surprising. The immigrants just keep pouring in...it's speculated that one reason the unemployment rate in Windsor is so high is that the population is growing but the number of jobs isn't.

That article about population would probably spur some discussion as a thread of its own.

[upinottawa]

^ Blitz, thanks for the suggestion. I have created a new Ontario thread on the subject.

[Blitz]

‘Funky’ transit depot on tap

By Trevor Wilhelm
The Windsor Star
May 13, 2006

Shovels will go in the ground next month for the new downtown bus terminal after Transit Windsor put the project in gear Thursday night.
The 9,000-square-foot terminal — pegged at about $6 million — will have a domed roof with a skylight, glass and brick facade and indoor palm trees.
“It’s funky,” said Windsor Transit board chairwoman Joyce Zuk, also a city councillor. “We can’t wait to move out of the bus dump and give the city an esthetic, state-of-the art bus terminal.”
The board has given the architect a go-ahead to do final construction drawings, Zuk said.

In order to keep provincial funding, construction at the former site of the downtown Canadian Tire store must be complete by March 31, 2007.
France Isabelle-Tunks, a project administrator for the city, said final construction drawings and a full budget estimate will go to city council by the end of the month.
“We’re still in the working phase,” she said. “The site is quite congested. We’re trying to maximize use of the site.”
Zuk said the province, city and Greyhound Canada will each cover onethird of the costs.
Isabelle-Tunks said the terminal will have a large indoor concourse and the ability to accommodate 12 Transit Windsor and four Greyhound buses.
There will also be a special area for cars to pull up and drop people off.
Zuk said the terminal will also mesh with surrounding architecture, like the art gallery, and hopefully be a gathering place for people who don’t ride the bus.

The terminal will attract people who live in the neighbourhood with features like a history of transit display, and a coffee kiosk.
Isabelle-Tunks said the current Greyhound terminal on University Avenue has become too small.
She said it’s also important, as the city tries to build on increasing ridership, that Transit Windsor has staff in the core to sell tickets and have a presence for customers.

[y2k_pony]

good to see that we finally are going to get the ball rolling on the Bus Depot!

FYI Casino Windsor has now gotten to ground level on their expansion and I count 11 floors now on the portofino project. The Hiram Walker lofts are also now starting to take shape by filling in those walls. Things are really bustling down here... Photo's soon to come!!!

[Blitz]

Yeah, I was there over the weekend but didn't take any pics.

[upinottawa]

With respect to the Bus Depot -- they should define the term "funky". Sometimes being funky is a good thing: "wow that ____ is funky!" Sometimes, being funky is less than good: "wow that smell is funky!" Hopefully, the Depot is more the former than the latter.

[upinottawa]

Any recent pictures of the Club Lofts? Any idea as to how well they are selling? It looks like a very interesting project and I hope it does well -- its success could spur other conversions in Windsor.

If I was moving back to Windsor I would certainly give that place a second look.

[Blitz]

I went by there last weekend and nothing much has changed. They're working on it though.

[upinottawa]

New regional board moves step closer
Local organization will prepare and execute a 5-year business plan

Dave Hall, Windsor Star
Published: Saturday, May 20, 2006

A new board of directors governing economic development strategies across the region is expected to be in place by early June, said Mayor Eddie Francis.

A member of a transitional board which is overseeing the process, Francis said the board met this week to review the applications and expects to establish a new board within two to three weeks.

"We're all anxious to get this process moving along and put the new board in place," said Francis.

The new board will eventually oversee a regional economic development organization which will replace the existing Windsor-Essex County Development Commission.

Others members of the transitional board are Essex County Warden Mike Raymond, city chief administrative officer John Skorobohacz and county CAO Brian Gregg.

Skorobohacz said the board received more than 50 applications.

"I'm confident we can put together a board which encompasses all the sectors across the entire region," Skorobohacz said.

"It's time to demonstrate that this organization is truly representative of the entire region and that starts with the makeup of the board," he added.

Gregg said that "while finding a representative mix would be ideal, what we're really trying to do is get the right people around the table -- people who are champions for the region."

The new 11-member board will consist of Gregg and Skorobohacz along with representatives from business, education and health care.

After picking a chief executive officer for the new regional organization by early fall, the new board will prepare and execute a five-year business plan.

It will include strategies to retain and expand investment, attract new investment and develop a support network for business creation, innovation and research and development.

FUNDING FORMULA

A new funding formula is also being recommended with cost-sharing on a per capita basis.

In the past, the city contributed roughly 80 per cent of the commission's $1.2-million budget but under this formula, its share would fall to about 52 per cent even though the dollar value of its contribution would increase over time.

"It's a fair formula and reflects the level of funding that will be required to allow us to be more proactive in selling the attributes of the region than we have been in the past," said Skorobohacz.

Under the new formula, the first-year rate would be $3.50 per capita for a budget of about $1.347 million, rising by 50 cents per year to a fifth-year figure of $5.50 for a budget of $2.117 million by 2010.

dhall@thestar.canwest.com or 255-5777, Ext. 408.

© The Windsor Star 2006

[upinottawa]

Windsor Star and News Services
Published: Wednesday, May 24, 2006

A deal has not been reached between the city and St. Clair College over the conversion of the Cleary International Centre to an urban campus because the two sides cannot agree on who will own it in the future, Mayor Eddie Francis said Tuesday.

"We need to bring resolution to this matter one way or another," Francis said.

He met Saturday with college president John Strasser, along with other city officials, in an attempt to hammer out an agreement. Francis met with councillors Tuesday behind closed doors to read them a letter from Strasser. "There are things (councillors) do not agree with."

Francis was keeping a tight lid on the nature of the stumbling block, but indicated it was over the issue of future ownership of the Cleary.

"We're looking for some kind of certainty that it will remain as a community-use."

© The Windsor Star 2006

[upinottawa]

Vendors hit armoury June 2

Roseann Danese, Windsor Star
Published: Wednesday, May 24, 2006

Windsorites will once again be able to buy their tomatoes and cucumbers downtown.

A farmers' market will open in the Windsor Armoury on Fridays and Saturdays, starting June 2.

City council unanimously agreed to rent the space to the Downtown Windsor Business Improvement Area (DWBIA) for a market that will feature locally grown produce and home-baked goods two days a week through to Oct. 21.

There will be room for up to 22 vendors.

Five are already committed.

"I'd like to do a little dance of excitement," said Coun. Joyce Zuk. "It's exciting for council when something is going downtown other than a massage parlour."

Judith Veresuk, executive director of the DWBIA, said the market will serve downtown Windsor, its residents and its employees.

15,000 PEOPLE

"Downtown Windsor, according to Statistics Canada, had a population of over 15,000 in 2004," she said.

More than 6,000 people work within three blocks of the armoury, and that figure doesn't include a multitude of small- scale businesses employing fewer than 20 people.

"These are the people we hope to attract to the farmers' market," Veresuk said.

In all, more than 16,000 people work downtown. Parking isn't a concern because of the target audience, Veresuk said. Cars will be able to park at lots near the Top Hat restaurant, Tunnel Bar-B-Q and in one of the city's two parking garages on Pelissier Street and at Chatham Street and Goyeau Avenue.

The DWBIA will pay a $540 daily rental fee for the facility and it will be responsible for cleaning up the trash and leftover produce. Veresuk said vendors aren't expecting to generate a lot of garbage because of the part-time hours and a downtown merchant has agreed to take the leftovers for his compost.

New, stricter health guidelines regarding farmers' markets expected to be introduced by the province won't be a problem. Veresuk said the DWBIA's policies and procedures already surpass the standards that will be set down.

Veresuk said the downtown venue will not compete with the market on Ottawa Street. In fact, some of the vendors there have called to enquire about having a smaller stand at the armoury.

"This is apples and oranges," she said. "We're running something that's operating two days a week and something that only has a fraction of the product being sold at the Ottawa Street market."

© The Windsor Star 2006

[y2k_pony]

I think that the market downtown is a great idea. People need reasons to head back down to the core. This to me looks like a good reason!

[Blitz]

Good stuff on the market. That's the first time I've seen a stat for the number of people who live downtown. They better be able to get a deal worked out with the college.

[upinottawa]

I think the market will be a great addition, and I don't buy Gord Henderson's argument that the downtown market will compete with the Walkerville market. Downtown will be open two days a week and will be purely a farmer's market -- similar to the set up with the outdoors vendors in Ottawa's Byward Market.

Hopefully the downtown market will generate more foot traffic downtown on weekends and give people another reason to head downtown on Saturdays. It would be wonderful if they could close Freedom Way when the market is open and make Freedom Way a pedestrian-only zone during those hours.

With the smoking ban, the higher dollar, and the WHTI coming down the pipe, Windsor needs to get more urban (i.e. more residents, businesses, and things to do downtown and surrounding areas) in order to attract American visitors.

[Blitz]

With the smoking ban, the higher dollar, and the WHTI coming down the pipe

Those are three massive punches in the head to Windsor, it'll be interesting to see how things shake out. Not like we've never faced hard times before though.

A loophole should've gone into the smoking ban and that passport thing is just a joke.

[upinottawa]

As found on the globeandmail.com. Interesting note: this article comes from the American wire (Associated Press) rather than the Canadian Press (the story is even listed as being from Detroit).

The new provincial smoking law should have made some exceptions for the provincially owned casinos. I mean, the province could have mandated extensive upgrades to ventilation systems, because the money to fund such systems would come from the province. Smoking and gambling are both addictive activities, will patrons who suffer from both afflications stop one to partake in another?

Could Casino Windsor provide nicorette or the patch to customers free of charge?

Windsor fears tourism disaster from smoking ban

Associated Press

Detroit — Windsor gambling operators say they fear Ontario's new ban on indoor smoking will drive away Americans who are crucial to the economy of the border city.

The law takes effect May 31 and will ban smoking in all public facilities, such as bingo halls, bars, restaurants, sporting venues, stores and office buildings, and including Casino Windsor.

Fines for businesses violating the law will be up to $10,000, while individuals face fines of $87 to $600.

“We expect to be devastated by this smoking ban,” said Mike Duval, who opened Paradise Bingo 21 years ago in what used to be a bowling alley. “At least 70 to 80 per cent of our customers are smokers. If the players can't have a cigarette while they play, they just won't come any more.”

The smoking ban adds to the challenges facing Windsor businesses because of the rising value of the Canadian dollar and tighter border controls.

Mr. Duval said about half his customers cross the border from metropolitan Detroit. Some visit two or more times a week, and Mr. Duval said many have told him they will not come if they cannot smoke.

The ban could help the three casinos across the Detroit River in Detroit.

“We do anticipate a positive effect on our business,” said Roger Martin, spokesman for Greektown Casino in Detroit. “Like always, we welcome all guests to our casino.”

To keep his smoking customers, Mr. Duval said he is building two outside smoking patios at Paradise Bingo. He said he will offer free wireless Personal Bingo Verifiers that pick up the numbers and mark players' bingo cards.

Casino Windsor also is building two outside patio areas, which will be heated in cold weather.

“We fully expect in the short run there will be an impact in our revenues,” said Teresa Roncon, spokeswoman for the Ontario Lottery and Gaming Corp., the government agency that owns Casino Windsor. “We just can't speculate on the impact.”

[upinottawa]

Drive bike lanes touted
Plans envision cycle, pedestrian friendly river route

Sonja Puzic, Windsor Star
Published: Thursday, May 25, 2006

If city council approves the Riverside Drive Improvement Project, motorists, cyclists and pedestrians will be able to enjoy Windsor's most scenic road, a project consultant said Wednesday.

IBI Group project manager Don Drackley thinks it's a win-win situation, but will wait for the public's two cents before handing over a final draft proposal to the city.

"We want to get some sort of a decision on support for the program before we do the final cost and staging," he said at the Cleary International Centre, where detailed plans for the reconstruction of Riverside Drive were unveiled to the public. "We looked at a lot of different alternatives, but people always want to come out and voice their opinions. It's a very sensitive issue."

Among the project team's recommendations are continuous on-road cycling lanes, a pedestrian promenade on the north side of Riverside Drive and a number of features designed to reduce traffic volume, including raised intersections and marked crosswalks. The proposed installation of barrier curbs would prevent parking on the public road right-of-way and the addition of exclusive turn lanes would divert traffic to alternate routes.

Since the $480,000 environmental assessment of Riverside Drive was narrowly approved by council in February 2005, councillors and residents have voiced concerns about its cost and the scale of the work involved. Coun. Alan Halberstadt said the project was too expensive and Coun. David Cassivi opposed additional bicycle lanes.

Drackley said he expects the proposed bicycle lanes will continue to be more controversial than other changes, even though the majority of Windsorites support them.

"If the public says 'We don't want on-road bike lanes' in each section of Riverside Drive, then the bike lane concept doesn't work," he said. "You can't be on a bike lane and then have to get off and get back on it. If that happens, the city will have to re-evaluate."

BIKE LANES DANGEROUS

Nicholas Patterson, a mechanic who drives on Riverside Drive every day, said the proposed bicycle lanes are unnecessary and potentially dangerous.

"I know the idea of separate lanes for bikes sounds good, but as an experienced driver I know how dangerous it can be to travel alongside cyclists," he said. "I've almost hit cyclists on Riverside Drive a number of times and not because it was my fault. Some of them just shouldn't share the road with drivers, even if they have their own lanes."

But Jana Petrovac, a Riverside Drive resident who stopped by the Cleary during her daily jog to look at the project diagrams, said she welcomes bike lanes in her neighbourhood.

"I know a couple of my neighbours don't like the idea, but I think it really creates a nice atmosphere for everyone," she said. "We have a beautiful riverfront and we should all enjoy it."

Drackley said the Riverside Drive project does not require alterations to private and residential properties. Only public parkland and a small strip of land on Walker Road will be affected.

"It's a big change from 10 years ago, when the last environmental assessment suggested additional lanes on Riverside Drive that would expand the road and affect private driveways," he said.

The public works department expects to evaluate comments from the public, confirm project costs and wrap up the environmental assessment by the end of June. The future of the long-awaited project will then remain in the hands of city council.

"There's no knowing how long that will take, but city councillors are certainly interested in reviewing these proposals and deciding on the best thing for the city," Drackley said.

© The Windsor Star 2006

[upinottawa]

Urban village in city core coming closer to fruition

Windsor Star
Published: Thursday, May 25, 2006

The city's vision to create an urban village downtown has moved another step closer to reality.

Developers will be given financial incentives to build projects that fit the design that city planners envision, if the Ministry of Municipal Affairs approves the plan.

The incentives include waiving development fees and park fees and offering up-front cash for storefront facade improvements. "There's 11 incentives altogether," said Jim Yanchula, manager of urban design and community development.

The incentives are based on how well the developers respond to the city's vision, Yanchula said. "The idea that they're performance-based incentives, where you have to meet a certain visual standard...that's unique. We don't know of any other jurisdiction in Canada that's done that."

Yanchula said the city expects the ministry to have an answer by the end of July.

The city owns most of the properties in the area that's been eyed for an urban village.

© The Windsor Star 2006

[upinottawa]

RC schools lacked OK of ministry
Pupatello talks tough on soaring construction costs

Monica Wolfson, Windsor Star
Published: Thursday, May 25, 2006

The Catholic school board started building St. Joseph high school five months before the province said it would pay the bills, board documents show.

"I would expect they would have ministry approval before they do something as serious as getting financial assistance," said Minister of Education and Windsor MPP Sandra Pupatello.

DON'T CLOSE DEAL

"That's my expectation. I don't close a deal on a house until I've gone to the bank to see if I can get a mortgage."

The Windsor-Essex Catholic District School Board voted to close St. Joseph secondary school in January 2004, a month after the province announced a moratorium on school closures. The board needed to get provincial approval before it could move ahead.

In June 2005, without provincial authorization, the board tried to get a $27-million debenture to pay for St. Joseph, but it was rejected. According to board documents, the Ontario School Board Financing Corporation refused to float the debenture until the board provided a letter from the Ministry of Education swearing it would provide the funds.

Despite the setback, the board started construction in July. It wasn't until mid-November that the board received a letter from the Ministry of Education saying it would provide the funds.

The board issued the debenture in March.

Pupatello said she won't allow school boards to push the Ministry of Education's back against the wall.

Trustee Shannon Porcellini said the board followed the province's criteria for school closures and thought a decision was imminent. The public school board, which voted to merge four elementary schools and build two new ones at the same time, is still waiting for provincial approval.

"There was never any indication from the minister that we weren't going to get approved," said Peter Marchini, superintendent of business for the Catholic board. "The board moved forward with the project. It was their decision."

It became public this week that St. Joseph and St. Anne high school will cost $22 million more than anticipated.

"I'm going to be very vigorous about builds," Pupatello said. "Cost overruns are unacceptable in today's construction world. It tells me the systems at that board are very different. The cost overruns can be so significant that it puts in peril the business of education."

Marchini said the board will pay for the extra expenses by issuing another debenture in late 2007. The interest and principal charges will be paid with provincial funding and possibly the building renewal budget, which pays for new roofs, toilets and parking lots.

Costs for the two schools spiralled out of control for several reasons, Marchini said. The construction manager at risk, Oscar Construction, was hired in April 2005, but wasn't given a complete set of drawings for the schools until April 2006, four months before St. Joseph is slated to open and six months after construction on St. Anne began.

"They were providing the construction manager with drawings, then proceeding with construction, and then giving him more drawings," Marchini said. "We've never done a school this way. We've always had the drawings 100 per cent complete first."

Marchini said the schools had to be built fast in order to qualify for grants.

Normally, a construction manager at risk is hired to control costs, although Marchini maintains Oscar was hired to build the schools quickly.

Usually the construction manager at risk bids on constructing a facility for a certain price. Unless there are changes to the plans, the price is guaranteed and any cost overruns are covered by that construction manager.

"If it comes over that price, he's on the hook," said Penny Allen, superintendent of business at the public board. "If it comes in lower, we keep the savings. But we have guaranteed him a certain amount to do the job."

The Catholic board started construction first, then got drawings and then settled on a price. On April 20, retired education director Michael Moher signed a maximum bid contract with Oscar for $30 million for St. Joseph and $35 million for St. Anne.

Those fees don't include another $12 million for architect bills, site acquisition and legal costs.

The contracts were sent to trustees three weeks after Moher signed them.

Despite the reversed way business was conducted, Marchini said the contracts are valid, even though they didn't go to trustees first.

"I think most trustees were quite pleased with it," Marchini said.

© The Windsor Star 2006

[upinottawa]

This is good news in the sense that the message is starting to get through. However, the immigration bill is reportedly very controversial and unlikely to pass the House. Hopefully, the passport delay amendment will be tacked on to a popular bill in the near future. Remember, in the US of A a bill must be passed by the House, the Senate and signed by the President. Getting closer but not there yet.

Also, a delay is better than no delay, but the only solution that works for Windsor (and most of Canada) is the enhanced drivers' licence option with enhancements that are similar to the US Real I.D. law (with place of birth included on the card).


U.S. Senate backs delay of border ID
Move may mean 18-month reprieve

Sheldon Alberts, with files from Dalson Chen, CanWest News Service
Published: Friday, May 26, 2006

WASHINGTON - Canada -- and Windsor -- received some good news on the passport front Thursday when the U.S. Senate passed comprehensive immigration legislation that included amendments that would delay the looming passport requirements by 18 months, to June 1, 2009.

The news came as Canada's new ambassador to the U.S., Michael Wilson, was making a rare appearance before a U.S. congressional committee.

The legislation would also authorize the State and Homeland Security departments to certify Canadian drivers' licences as acceptable identification at the border, providing they meet U.S. security requirements. That could be a significant development because Ottawa has rejected the idea of creating a new border ID card as an alternative to the passport, but the immigration legislation must still be reconciled with the House immigration bill that includes no delay provisions.

"We have a long way to go," Wilson told reporters after the hearing.

"I think the important thing is that the Senate has spoken. That is a very good message out there. The administration is not immune to what the House and what the Senate thinks. They will be paying attention."

'BREATHING ROOM'

Mayor Eddie Francis said that if implementation of the new border pass is delayed, he and the mayors of other border cities will have more time to discuss how to deal with it. "It's some breathing room, but not that much.

"I'll only be encouraged when the final bill is passed and it allows for a balance between security and cross-border traffic. There's a lot of work that needs to be done."

NDP Windsor West MP Brian Masse agreed. "We still have this process looming on us," Masse said. "We can't interpret a delay as a victory."

Masse vowed to continue to "pound away" in the House of Commons for answers on the passport requirements, and noted that the Tory government still doesn't have an official position on the matter. "If there's going to be injurious effects at the border, we should know how to ameliorate them."

Masse said the U.S. has yet to offer specifics on "the centrepiece of the design that they'll be implementing," and said a study needs to be done on how implementation will impact border communities like Windsor.

Even with Ottawa's new friendlier attitude, members of the congressional committee seemed to have little awareness of the plan to require all travellers to carry passports or another secure document to enter the U.S. starting Jan. 1, 2008.

Indiana Representative Dan Burton, the committee's chairman, was unaware of the looming deadline until Wilson mentioned it in his briefing.

"It looks like there (could be) a log- jam," Burton said.

The plan could cause "confusion and congestion" at the border because of the time crunch and a lack of technology to process the new ID requirements, Wilson said.

"We need a smart border, not a thick one," he said.

Wilson also told lawmakers that Prime Minister Stephen Harper will be "proactive" in his efforts to repair Canada-U.S. ties and douse anti-American sentiment that grew because of the war in Iraq and the softwood lumber feud.

Harper plans a far more robust role for Canada in world affairs and will use his budding friendship with President George W. Bush to forge closer security and intelligence ties with the United States, Wilson said.

"He is willing to take a stand," Wilson told members of the House of Representatives committee on Western Hemisphere affairs.

The 67-year-old envoy touted the "closer relationship" that is developing between Harper and Bush following the two leaders' first meeting last month in Cancun, Mexico.

Wilson revealed Bush and Harper will meet again July 6, likely in Washington, in advance of the G-8 summit in mid-July. With Bush and Harper's personal ties cementing, "I think that is going to result in a closer working relationship between our security and intelligence forces," Wilson said."That was not as apparent previously."

Bush had notoriously strained relations with former prime minister Jean Chretien over Iraq. And while the U.S. president and former prime minister Paul Martin began their relationship on good footing, it suffered over the softwood lumber dispute, environmental issues and Liberal campaign ads that targeted Bush.

A recent Pew Centre poll said favourable views of the U.S. among Canadians had fallen from 76 per cent in 2000 to 43 per cent in 2005.

When asked by Massachusetts Representative Bill Delahunt why public opinion in Canada had soured, Wilson cited anger over Iraq and softwood as the central reasons.

"The prime minister is going to be very prominent in addressing ... the positive aspects of the relationship with your country," said Wilson.

© The Windsor Star 2006

[upinottawa]

Navel gazing morons.... The Big 3 will stop this senseless bill.


Michigan legislators move to kill DRIC

Dave Battagello, Windsor Star
Published: Friday, May 26, 2006

A bid by political leaders of a state transportation committee to kill Michigan's participation in the binational study to decide the next border crossing location is unlikely to reach final approval, said one House representative on the committee.

A last-minute amendment to the state's transportation budget calls for cutting off state funding to the Detroit River International Crossing (DRIC) study.

It was introduced by Senator Jud Gilbert (R - Algonac), who is also co-chairman of the Senate and House transportation committee which last week completed hearings to determine the fate of the state's support of DRIC.

Michigan state politicians are in the midst of its budget process. Gilbert lumped in his amendment against DRIC with about 40 others at about 10 p.m. Wednesday, just before the Republican-led House passed its version of the budget around midnight.

Despite Gilbert's actions, Rep. Steve Tobocman (D - Detroit), whose district includes the Ambassador Bridge, said the amendment will likely not survive the scrutiny of full legislative debate and required approval of Gov. Jennifer Granholm.

With so much at stake at the Windsor-Detroit border from an economic and security standpoint, federal Republicans may quell the uprising from their state counterparts, while automakers and other business leaders would also step forward should any attempt to kill DRIC at this late stage be pushed, Tobocman said.

"I think the Detroit Regional Chamber, Ford, DaimlerChrysler and other industries would feel strongly the border crossing study not be interfered with by any political wrangling," he said.

"Should anyone politically be serious about terminating the study, you will see them start to speak out. I don't think (Gilbert and supporters) fully understand the national security and economic impacts of this."

DRIC includes four partners -- the U.S., Canada, Michigan and Ontario.

A final DRIC decision on the exact location for a new bridge and feeder roads is expected in 2007.

The process was called into question earlier this year by a handful of Michigan politicians and the transportation committee hearings were launched in March.

At the end of the hearings last week, committee co-chairman Rep. Phillip Lajoy (R - Canton) called for an end to the DRIC study, followed by Wednesday's move by Gilbert to cut off funding within the state budget.

Senator Ray Basham (D - Taylor) attempted to block the amendment.

"Why are they suddenly opposed to (DRIC) after all these years?" Basham said. "Obviously I oppose this and hopefully the legislature will see through this."

Gilbert's amendment to the budget will go to the conference committee where it must receive approval from the full legislature, then eventually be approved by Granholm. That could play out in as little as two weeks, Basham said.

Despite the national, state and provincial economic implications, a majority of members who sit on the transportation committee seemed largely uninterested during the hearings.

© The Windsor Star 2006

[upinottawa]

Score one for Windsor!


We're No. 3 city for U.S. visitors

David George-Cosh, Windsor Star
Published: Friday, May 26, 2006

Tourism officials anticipate a boost to the local economy after the city was listed as one of the top three cities to visit in a recent survey published by an influential American trade organization.

The survey, conducted by the American Bus Association, puts Windsor in a third-place tie for "Top Canadian cities to visit" with Winnipeg and Montreal, behind perennial favourites Toronto and Niagara Falls.

"In the last couple of years, tour operators have been looking for new and diverse destinations for their customers and certainly Windsor fits that mould," said Lori Harrison, the association's communications director.

With a strong Canadian dollar, the cancellation of some bus lines in April, and the no-smoking ban taking affect at the end of the month, tourism officials have been worried about the potential negative impact on the local economy.

However, the third-place ranking will encourage tour bus operators to add Windsor to their schedules and help bring any lost revenue back to the city, news which thrills Sandra Bradt, tourism director at the Windsor-Essex Convention and Visitors Bureau.

"I'm ecstatic," Bradt said. "Having that designation gets awareness of our city out to thousands of tour operators who plan trips. We couldn't have paid for this kind of publicity."

Jack Goebel, vice-president of Lakefront Lines in Cleveland, Ohio, isn't surprised at Windsor's high ranking.

"I've been running daily bus routes over to Windsor for the casino and the winery. It's been a really successful destination for us," said Goebel.

Goebel also feels the law to ban indoor smoking won't be affecting the economy as much as some have predicted, citing Winnipeg as an example.

"Last year after they passed the bylaw, they had around three months of slow business at their casino but they were fine afterward," Goebel said.

"I'm not too worried about it affecting Windsor too much. Maybe in the beginning for a bit, but in the long term it'll be fine."

Less than 240,000 tourists visited Windsor on bus tours in 2005, a figure that has steadily declined after reaching record numbers in 2001, Bradt said.

Bradt credits the growing popularity of tours aimed at specialty groups to help turn a declining area of the industry into bigger profits.

"With the population aging, traditional motorcoach tours are starting to decrease in popularity," said Bradt.

"But an emerging trend are new 'affinity' or specialty groups and is accounting for probably 20 per cent of all bus tours."

Specialty groups are smaller and more targeted, but more importantly, spend more money, Bradt says.

Connie Pare, a retail manager at the Pelee Island Winery, agrees speciality bus tours are helping spur more interest in local tourism.

"We usually get about three or four VIP tours each week here at the winery. It's definitely a reason why we've expanded our facilities to accommodate larger groups," Pare said.

After a disappointing start to the year, recent statistics suggest the drop in visitors from across the border is starting to rebound.

Same-day car travel from the U.S. increased only slightly in March after falling to its lowest level the previous month, according to Statistics Canada.

More than 1.2 million Americans crossed the border during same-day trips in March, compared with 1.1 million in February. Overall, 2.5 million Americans visited Canada in March, a 0.9 per cent increase.

© The Windsor Star 2006

[upinottawa]

Cleary talks revived

Windsor Star
Published: Saturday, May 27, 2006

Negotiations between the city and St. Clair College about the school's establishment of a downtown campus in the Cleary International Centre appear to be back on the rails.

Mayor Eddie Francis and St. Clair president Dr. John Strasser met Thursday and Strasser provided Francis with a new proposal on Friday.

"All I can say is we're chatting," said Strasser.

"I think we clearly understand the concerns for both sides."

Strasser would not discuss the details of his proposal.

Earlier this week the deal appeared to be at an impasse over concerns about future ownership of the Cleary.

Francis met in-camera with council Tuesday and read them a letter from Strasser which contained items some councillors did not agree with.

Francis said the matter will be before council again at their meeting on Monday.

Asked for his assessment of the negotiations, Francis said that he shared council's concerns at the last meeting, but added: "Dr. Strasser and myself have had very productive discussions.... I think there's something to report back to council for their consideration."

The Cleary International Centre will become a redundant city asset after the new 100,000-square-foot auditorium at Casino Windsor opens.

The new downtown campus would first house about 550 students but that number could grow to as high as 1,000.

© The Windsor Star 2006

[upinottawa]

City No. 4 for incomes
National report shows median family earnings of $77,200

Dave Hall, Windsor Star
Published: Saturday, May 27, 2006

Windsor's image as a "lunch-bucket town" has been transformed into one of a city full of workers with highly paid technical skills not only in the automotive industry but also in the health sciences, finance and software engineering fields, said a former business professor at the University of Windsor.

A recently released Statistics Canada report shows that Windsor's median, two-parent family income in 2004 was ranked fourth in Canada and trailed only Oshawa -- another city dominated by the auto industry -- government-heavy Ottawa-Gatineau and booming Calgary.

MARKETABLE SKILLS

Alfie Morgan said "it's a testament to the fact that many workers in this city have highly marketable technical skills across many different employment sectors.

"This notion of Windsor being a lunch-bucket town in the sense that all we have here are low-skilled or semi-skilled labourers has been rejected by the numbers in this survey," said Morgan. "It's historical data in that it's based on 2004 incomes and while it may have eroded somewhat, it certainly hasn't plummeted."

HAS DROPPED

Windsor's median family income was $77,200 in 2004, which is a drop of one per cent from the previous year.

Doug Newson, central region director for Statistics Canada, said "a large concentration of high-paying jobs such as those in the auto sector is what drives up the median figures.

"It's that heavy concentration which drives up the numbers and where there are good unionized, largely stable jobs, average incomes tend to go up," said Newson.

Morgan said a large number of Windsorites with high-paying professional careers in Detroit is another reason for our high median income.

"Clearly these people working in consulting, software engineering, mechanical engineering and the health sciences field shows they have highly marketable, desirable skills, not only in Windsor, but across the border," he said.

TECHNICAL WORKFORCE

Morgan said the absence from the top five of such cities as London, traditionally thought of as a white-collar employment-rich community, is further evidence of a shift toward a more technical workforce.

"One would think that London with its large numbers of highly paid people in the health sciences sector such as doctors, nurses, technicians, researchers and such would be near the top of the rankings," said Morgan. "London's absence speaks volumes about the lucrative nature and skill levels of tool and die workers, CAD/CAM technicians, mouldmakers and others in our community."

And while Windsor's numbers are boosted by commuters to Detroit so too are Oshawa's, where large numbers of residents commute to Toronto for high-paying positions.

Newson said in recent surveys it was found that for Oshawa residents, their travel-to-work distance is fairly high and "one of the major reasons for that is travel to high-paying jobs in Toronto.

"People tend to commute for a reason and the reason is usually a good job," said Newson.

The report, generated from income tax returns, only compares large urban areas and not those such as Fort McMurray, where high-paying oilsands jobs have lifted family income beyond $120,000, and Yellowknife, where the diamond industry has pushed median family incomes above $115,000.

BY THE NUMBERS

Median total income of two-parent families for 2004:

Top Five

Oshawa $83,100

Ottawa-Gatineau $82,100

Calgary $77,800

Windsor $77,200

Kitchener $75,700

Bottom Five

Vancouver $61,800

Saguenay $61,200

Sherbrooke $59,400

Abbotsford $59,000

Trois-Rivieres $57,700

Canada overall $64,800

Source: Statistics Canada

© The Windsor Star 2006

[upinottawa]

I may be the last person in support of a downtown arena, but I think that having Windsor's premier arena out at the track will benefit no one other than the owners of the track. There will be little spin off benefit for the city.

People of Windsor: drive the 180 kms to London. Check out their new arena. See what it has done for that city!


Raceway arena idea resurrected
Mayor confirms new offer to build facility on land next to track but mum on details

Roseann Danese, Windsor Star
Published: Wednesday, May 31, 2006

Windsor Raceway wants to slide back into the arena debate.

Mayor Eddie Francis confirmed Tuesday the city received a new offer from the raceway, renewing its interest in building an arena on land next to its track. A new partner has been added to the raceway proposal to help pick up the funding shortfall that caused the deal to fall through a few months ago.

"They're now proposing to deal with some type of partnership," Francis said. "They made a proposal on paper and they asked me to submit it to the administration."

Sources say the proposal for 6,500 seats includes a $15-million capital contribution from the city, along with $3 million that has been accumulated in the Chimczuk museum fund.

Francis would not release details of the raceway offer. He said the proposal includes a second ancillary ice pad and will deal with the issue of building a two-pad arena on the east end to address the problems facing aging Riverside and Adstoll arenas.

Francis said it is now up to city staff to prepare a report that will come to council in June.

Last month city council voted to further study building a 6,500-seat arena on the city's east side, with three additional community pads that would replace the older arenas in the area and a community centre to replace the Edward Street centre.

PRICE TAG

That concept comes at a price tag of about $55 million. Despite the price, councillors were uncharacteristically in agreement the project should be pursued.

That may have spurred the raceway group into action, sources said. Windsor Raceway president Pat Soulliere did not respond to a request for comment. Windsor businessman David Batten, who is involved with the Jebb Group, referred all questions to the mayor. The proposal may still include a Gretzky-99 restaurant, which was one of the features proposed several years ago during another round of failed negotiations.

Don Sadler, executive director of parks, said a 6,500-seat arena alone can cost roughly $30 million.

Councillors have been sold on the idea of consolidating a community centre and the older east-end arenas under one roof to save operating costs. "That was very appealing to council," Francis said. Windsor Arena loses about $300,000 per year while Riverside Arena loses about $86,000 annually. A consolidated centre would turn a small profit, according to figures presented earlier to city council.

Francis said council will likely be presented with the two options: build a four-pad arena complex under one roof somewhere in the east end or partner with Windsor Raceway for a two-pad arena on land owned by the track.

The city will have an extra $15 million in 2008 after other projects are paid off. In 2009, $23.5 million will become available and in 2010, $36.4 million will be free to use on arena infrastructure.

Sadler said councillors may have to choose between the two scenarios: "It all boils down to what makes the best business case."

The first raceway proposal included offering the city free land for the facility. An arena on the east end would likely require the city to purchase the land.

CHIMCZUK FUND

Retired autoworker Joseph Chimczuk left $1 million to the City of Windsor when he died in 1990. In his will, he instructed the city to use the money for a museum, archives and library. The money was invested and has now grown to about $3 million. It has never been spent. Over the years, groups have asked the city for the money to fund everything from a science centre to municipal archives and a library.

© The Windsor Star 2006

[Blitz]

When will this arena at the raceway scenario just die already?

[westerntragedy]

Portofino's Crane - Struck by lightning? From today's Windsor Star:

Storms Knock Out Power

... [not gonna include all of it but just the part about the crane]. About 7:20 p.m. firefighters were called to the Portofino condo construction site on Riverside Drive West to investigate a report that a crane had been struck. No damage was reported.

And as far as Portofino is progessing, I think it's at what, the 12th or 13th floor now? Getting there!

And this is the most recent photo I have, from a couple weeks ago (11th floor there I think):
http://img432.imageshack.us/img432/9499/portofino117xg.jpg

[Blitz]

Nice progress, hope those billboards will be removed.

[upinottawa]

^ I agree. Those billboards have to go.

With Riverside Drive being Windsor's premier road, there should be no room for such tacky ads -- Portofino or no Portofino. I think all billboards on the Drive should be removed.

[Blitz]

^ Haha, imagine buying one of those $500,000 suites only to find out you're looking right at a billboard.

The whole length of Riverside Drive is undergoing a planning study right now, I'm sure one of the recommendations will be to dispose of all billboards.

[JBinCalgary]

when i was there last week, i was amazed at all the lots for sale in amherst? for 220 K you can get a good chunk of land on the detroit river

[upinottawa]

JB, thinking about retiring in Amherstburg? :)

What was the reason for your visit?

[Border City Boy]

If I'm not mistaken the sign by-law has something about preventing new billboards on Riverside Dr. as a senic highway.

Existing ones were grandfathered in.

I only remeber this, because as part of the heritage comittee, some building owner wanted to strap giant advertisments on the side of either the old Riverside Brewery Buidling or the smaller on just east of it (I can't remember), on the east side out by Sandpoint Beach. We recived notice as both buildings are on the heritage property inventory. Needless to say it never came up for debate, as the new sign bylaw that was being implemented at the time put a quick end to that plan.

[Blitz]

Maybe one day they can be renovated into something useful but with each passing year, they look worse and worse.

[arnold]

totally off the current topic, but did anyone here read about possibility of the rolling stones doing a show in windsor this summer/fall? i read it on the CBC.ca site.

that would be pretty big news...

[Freud]

That was on the Windsor Star too.

The thing started with the Saskatoon Leader-Post who said that they would have 3 shows in Canada, including Windsor.

[upinottawa]

Rolling into Regina?
Stones' concert rumoured for Thanksgiving weekend

Gerry Krochak, The Leader-Post
Published: Saturday, June 10, 2006

Naw ... it can't be. Can it? Can the persistent rumours really be true?

Could this really be a Thanksgiving weekend filled with the satisfaction of the Queen City hosting the world's greatest rock and roll band, the Rolling Stones? Yes ... it can.

We're all aware of conventional wisdom and cliches which insist that if it's too good to be true it probably is. Forget that notion for the time that it takes you to read this column and dream the biggest rock and roll dream Regina has ever known.

It seems almost a certainty that The Rolling Stones will give this province the concert of a lifetime at Taylor Field on either Oct. 7 or 8. Nothing is written in stone(s), but this show, you can't imagine, how close it is to happening.

Nothing is confirmed, but organizers from Regina and officials from the band are working very hard to make this happen, one of our well-placed sources, who requested anonymity, said Friday. The official announcement will come around mid July -- if the show proceeds, the source added.

One of the biggest earlier hurdles to a show in Regina, a head injury sustained by guitarist Keith Richards while vacationing in Fiji on April 27, has now been cleared. Last week, Richards declared himself good to go. "Feeling great, happy to be home and looking forward to getting back on the road with the Rolling Stones next month," he was reported as saying on several Web sites.

Further indication that all is well with the legendary axeman are rescheduled 'Stones dates appearing on Pollstar.com which indicate that the tour will commence July 10 in Nuremberg, with additional dates throughout Germany as well as the Netherlands, Switzerland, France, Portugal, Spain and the UK.

Multiple sources indicate the band will then come to Canada, for a three or four-show tour. The other Canadian cities that would host the outdoor stadium version of the group's Bigger Bang Tour are Halifax, Windsor and Vancouver, in effect covering the west, east and, of course, the middle, of this great country. News of the Halifax show has also apparently leaked out.

If the Regina date seems far-fetched, consider the success of the group's appearance last Sept. 3 in Moncton, N.B. The show drew 90,000 people and netted the act somewhere in the vicinity of seven million clams.

Although the band hardly needs the dough, it's never shied away from playing ... well, anywhere, really. The way it sits right now, Saskatchewan is the only prairie province that has never hosted a Rolling Stones show. Clearly, it's our turn.

The massive stadium production is the group's most ambitious to date, requiring roughly 80 tractor trailers to transport. Considering the size of the stage and the seating capacity of Taylor Field (including the field), the stadium which will go from hosting football greats to rock and roll legends, will probably be bursting at the seams with a crowd of anywhere from 40,000-45,000, although Taylor Field's capability to stage such an event remains a detail that has yet to be worked out.

Tickets are not yet on sale, and I can't stress this enough, so don't phone the usual places, because they have no information or ducuts to sell -- at least not yet. But if and when tickets go on sale in July, folks in Saskatchewan will also have to compete with fans from Manitoba, Alberta, Montana and North Dakota for tickets that are sure to be snatched up immediately.

If time is finally on our side, this concert just might be the single greatest event in the city's 104-year history. And that's no Thanksgiving turkey.

© The Leader-Post (Regina) 2006

[y2k_pony]

I wonder where they will perform?? I hope that it will be on the riverfront. That would make for a great concert!!

[upinottawa]

The Moncton concert attracted 90,000, there is little reason to suspect that the Windsor concert will not attract a minimum of 50,000 (even though Windsor is significantly larger than Moncton, the Stones did play at the Superbowl last winter in Detroit and have played numerous times in Metro Detroit making this less of an opportunity of a life time for most Windsorites than it would be for our New Brunswick friends).

50,000+ would be a big crowd for a waterfront concert, would it not? Could the Casino Pavillion and areas west handle between 50,000 and 90,000 people (and make for a good concert)?

[Border City Boy]

Blitz the problem with those two Riverside Dr. buildings are the gravel docks in the rear. I heard of a redevolpoment proposal for the Riverside Brewery building as a loft conversion about 5 years ago, however, the land to the rear with the water access is is either in a long term lease or owned by someone other than the building owner.

Either way, that is why nothing has or will be done with either building anytime soon.

[Blitz]

Yeah, I noticed a ship unloading gravel behind the brewery. That building would make for a great loft conversion, the location is excellent.

I also noticed when i drove into town that the city population signs have been updated (strange considering we don't know the census results yet). Anyhow, we're up to 218,000 now.

[upinottawa]

Okay so it looks like a Cleary deal has finally been reached. About 700 St. Clair students should be attending school downtown by September 2007. The extra 700 bodies downtown during the day should increase demand for restaurants, services and even shopping downtown.

Hopefully, St. Clair students will opt for a universial bus pass similar to what Western and Fanshawe students in London, Ontario have. This would help increase transit service from downtown to St. Clair and may convince other St. Clair students to move downtown.

Now the city needs some way to attract a downtown University of Windsor campus.

Here is today's article from the Windsor Star:



Cleary deal OK'd:
College's creative arts students to move downtown

Roseann Danese, Windsor Star
Published: Tuesday, June 13, 2006

Mayor Eddie Francis and St. Clair College president John Strasser used the quintessential Canadian hangout -- a Tim Hortons coffee shop -- as the setting to ink a tentative deal that will bring 700 aspiring chefs and artists downtown for classes at the Cleary International Centre.

A Sunday evening meeting over coffee at the Tim's on Eugenie and Ouellette resulted in an agreement that Francis described as good for everyone -- the city, the college, students and current Cleary employees.

"This is a significant step forward," Francis said Monday after a majority of city councillors approved the in-camera deal that will result in the Cleary being handed over to the college for its creative arts programs. Two councillors declared conflicts and another, Jo-Anne Gignac, voted against it.

The deal must still be approved by the college's board of governors tonight.

Francis said details of the agreement won't be released to the public until Wednesday or Thursday, after Cleary employees are briefed on their future.

If all goes according to Francis's and Strasser's plans, the college will take over operations in September and students from programs in culinary arts, hospitality, tourism, journalism, theatre and graphic design will begin classes in September 2007 at their new riverfront location.

"It will be the premier school of creative arts in the country," Strasser said Monday.

After two weeks of back and forth negotiations between the two leaders, Francis said he gave Strasser a final proposal.

That was Wednesday. Francis headed out of town and by the time he returned Friday, Strasser was ready to meet.

The first opportunity for a face-to-face was Sunday night.

Strasser said he went into the meeting feeling positive. And when Francis paid for his large, double-double, the college president "looked at it as a good sign."

They sat down at 8 p.m. and by 9:30 p.m., they had their deal.

After shaking on it, they talked about what it will mean for the downtown and what it will mean for the college.

"Once the details were out of the way, we talked about the vision," Francis said, including how putting a culinary arts program in the midst of the finest downtown restaurants is a bold move that sets the college apart from all others.

Francis would not reveal anything about the deal, but he emphasized the Cleary's banquet business will continue as though there was no change.

The city wanted the deal for its downtown revival as much as the college wanted it to expand and broaden its programs.

Strasser is guessing the hospitality and tourism industry will skyrocket in this region and St. Clair College students will be at the cutting edge.

"I think we have to be ready for that," Strasser said.

The tentative deal wasn't easily reached.

The tug-of-war that went on for several weeks revolved around who would own the building that's been in public hands for decades, but which has been a money-loser for the city to the tune of about $800,000 a year.

Francis said the issue of ownership has been resolved. He didn't say how, though, or whether the city would entertain a long-term lease.

The city wanted to make sure it did not lose out by turning over a building to the college that would be quickly sold off. The college, however, wanted to be sure its investment in moving downtown -- and the considerable resources it would take to do so -- wasn't lost in a short-term lease.

"There was a lot of back and forth," Francis said.

"We both were committed to it, but we both knew it had to be the right deal."

© The Windsor Star 2006

[FenderStrat]

I haven't seen any updated Casino Construction pics posted to here so I took it upon myself to get some today. The are now building above ground, so things should start to get a lot more interesting in the coming months. Anyway, here ya go:

http://home.cogeco.ca/~casino_construction/Casino_DC9.jpg

http://home.cogeco.ca/~casino_construction/Casino_DC10.jpg



And, as an added bonus, here is Portofino: (Its getting much taller as you can see)

http://home.cogeco.ca/~casino_construction/portofino2.jpg


Let me know what you think!!

[upinottawa]

^ You certainly can't miss Portofino....

Thanks for the photos.

[Blitz]

Thanks for the photos. They're really doing a lot of work on the riverfront parkland between Janette and Crawford.

[westerntragedy]

Thanks for the photos. Was in Windsor over the weekend, they're really doing a lot of work on the riverfront parkland between Janette and Crawford.
It really has taken shape though and most of the earth is finally flattened last I was there.. maybe they just need to add sod and that's it? Word is that the redo of the riverfront there is supposed to be completed for the Fireworks on June 28th, but I don't see that happening, it still looks like there's a lot of work to be done.

[upinottawa]

I completely approve of the college taking over the Cleary as I believe it will be good for both the college and downtown -- not to mention that the Cleary-as-convention-centre will be redundant after the casino expansion. However, the article below just shows that the Windsor Star and the mayor appear to have been making a big deal out nothing with respect to the $1 million per year subsidy and the centre's lack of use.

Cleary wins award

canada.com
Published: Friday, June 16, 2006

The Cleary International Centre, which is expected to become a part of St. Clair College in September, has been named winner of the 2006 Convention Award, handed out annually by the local convention and visitors bureau.

The award recognizes an individual or organization that has been instrumental in securing convention/event business for the Windsor area.

“Despite our physical limitations, we have been able to do a good job in attracting business and it’s gratifying that our staff has been recognized in this way,” said Sergio Grando, executive director of hospitality services for the city.

The Cleary, which is subsidized by the city to the tune of almost $1 million annually, draws one of the lowest municipal subsidies per square foot in the province and has one of the highest usage ratios per square footage in Ontario, said Grando.

In addition, the Chrysler Theatre is the most cost-efficient municipally-owned theatre in Ontario, added Grando.

© Windsor Star 2006

[upinottawa]

Lee Palser, Windsor Star
Published: Saturday, June 17, 2006

Long-suffering Highway 3 commuters finally got the news they'd been waiting for Friday.

The widening of the heavily travelled road to four lanes is now officially part of provincial plans to spend $3.4 billion over five years on road work in southern Ontario.

No specific timeline has been announced.

Essex MPP Bruce Crozier, who's made the project an issue in Queen's Park and on the campaign trail since he was first elected in 1993, said "it's an important announcement for this area. ..."

"I'm pleased it's in the five-year plan. It's a big step."

Crozier said estimates for the work range from $24 million to $38 million -- "depending on what is going to be done" -- and that he'd have more specific information about the timing after meeting with transport ministry officials in about 10 days.

In an interview earlier this year, Crozier said he hoped to see a "shovel in the ground" by the end of 2006. "I still hope for that," he said Friday.

An environmental assessment has been done for the project, although there was one outstanding issue to be resolved, he said. "I hope that doesn't delay it."

Leamington Mayor John Adams said four lanes will make it easier and safer both for commuters and truck traffic. But, he added, an improved Highway 3 will also decrease the pressure on secondary roads.

"A lot of people try to avoid it," he said. "They take county roads that really weren't built to handle that kind of traffic.

"And it's possible that the widening will encourage some industries to come to Leamington if there's an easier connection."

Planning and property acquisition for the existing highway -- still called the Essex Bypass by many -- was undertaken more than three decades ago and roughly followed the old South Talbot Road. The first phase ended just south of Essex but was later punched through to Ruthven and finally Leamington in the 1980s as traffic volumes continued to build.

Frequently cited for creating dangerous driving conditions, the two-lane highway is heavily used by commuters. On any given workday, nearly 50,000 workers are heading into or out of Windsor, many of them on highways 3 and 401.

© The Windsor Star 2006

________________________________________________________

This project is long overdue and will make it easier for people to get from the county to the city and from the city to the county. The two lane road has been due for an expansion for years -- the road carries too many frustrated drivers during peak commute times, making the road less than safe at times.

[Freud]

The 555 University Ave West building, between Glengarry Ave and Aylmer Ave, is tear down Wednesday June 14, 2006

http://img151.imageshack.us/img151/286/tearingdown1w5yq.jpg

http://img49.imageshack.us/img49/7024/tearingdown2w7he.jpg

[Blitz]

Yeah that was a former nursing home, I don't believe anything is planned for that site at the moment. That part of town needs serious work.

[upinottawa]

Hospital unveils makeover plans

Don Lajoie, Windsor Star
Published: Friday, June 23, 2006

The final phase of the citywide hospital restructuring program is under way at Windsor Regional Hospital with an announcement Thursday that planning has begun on a multi-million-dollar makeover of the Western Campus off Prince Road.

Hospital officials outlined the scope of the renovations,which are expected to begin early in 2008 with demolition of a city block's worth of vacant campus buildings, including the former Regional Children's Centre. The "brick and mortar" work will follow in 2009, said Bill Marcotte, director of mental health services.

At the core of the master plan will be the construction of a mental health building to house 59 beds plus facilities for associated programs for patients requiring specialized mental health services. Completion of the new wing will mean these services will be made available in this community for the first time.

"Relocation of the 59 beds from London and St. Thomas means that the families of these patients will no longer have to face a two-hour drive," said Marcotte. "It makes things much easier for them."

Martin Girash, CEO of Windsor Regional, said no budget has been set for the project because of new procedures in the tendering process, which will see the contractors and financiers submit their cost projections for the work rather than being handed a pre-ordained budget target to shoot for.

He said that such a method, which will require that planning be done in detail before the hospital's requirements are released to the bidding companies, will ensure competition between potential builders and hopefully result in savings for the taxpayers and government. Money will also be provided under the Alternate Funding Plan recently announced by the province, which incorporates private sector funding sources.

Girash said the first phase of the restructuring is complete, with the transfer of 20 palliative-care patients from the Lower Tower Building to the Malden Park Continuing Care Centre, renovated over the past three months at a cost of about $600,000. The plan also includes the addition of 52 complex continuing care beds, bringing the total to 186.

© The Windsor Star 2006

[Freud]

Casino extention:

http://img516.imageshack.us/img516/9178/casinowork11kw.jpg

http://img511.imageshack.us/img511/9914/casinowork21zg.jpg

[y2k_pony]

Great Shots Freud!! that one pics is from the Demaris apartments no? This project is really starting to move now.

[Freud]

The second shot is from the Casino parking. The first one is from the 21th floor of the red and black building just right of the crane we see in the second photo. Might be called Demaris appartments, I don't know the city enought yet ;)

[Freud]

Riverside Drive's Portofino, as of June 30, 2006

http://img285.imageshack.us/img285/8862/portofino3zp.jpg

[Blitz]

The bloody billboards are still there.

[westerntragedy]

Up to the 14th floor now at Portofino! Drove near Detroit's Riverfront/Post Office building this weekend and I couldnt help but notice how wide Portofino is from the front and across the river... looks near square. Still, the structure itself really complements that end of our riverfront (minus the billboards..ha!).

[Blitz]

I was surprised by the wideness too, I noticed it when I was watching fireworks coverage on a Detroit tv station.

[upinottawa]

Commuter rail line studied: Lakeshore seeks talks on regional train service to cut car traffic

Sonja Puzic, Windsor Star
Published: Wednesday, July 05, 2006

LAKESHORE - Town council has approved a small feasibility study for an expanded railway commuter line to Windsor, but will have to wait for the results of a large-scale Transport Canada study of the region's existing railways before any blueprints are drawn.

Lakeshore Mayor Bob Croft said Monday he hopes talks of a regional commuter train service will finally materialize after months of debate.

"It might be a dream, but everything starts out as a dream," he said. "If we can eliminate 10 per cent of our traffic with the rail system, that would be great and environmentally friendly."

Croft said the feasibility study, approved about a month ago and headed by Lakeshore's manager of strategic services, James Snyder, will look into using the CN track that follows the Lake St.Clair shoreline. Via Rail hasn't picked up passengers in Belle River or Tecumseh for more than three decades on that track.

Another option is the freight-only Essex Terminal Railway with a connection from Windsor to Amherstburg, but its track beds would have to be upgraded for high-speed commuter service.

Croft said he's sent letters to the mayors of Tecumseh and Windsor asking for their input and received a positive reaction from Windsor Coun. Fulvio Valentinis.

"He thought it was a great idea," Croft said.

But Windsor Mayor Eddie Francis said no decisions will be made until Transport Canada releases its report on the usability of the region's rail lines sometime in October.

More rail lines per capita

"We've identified that we have more rails per capita than any other region in Ontario," Francis said Tuesday. "Based on that we've initiated a community-based strategic study with Transport Canada (to look at) strategic railway corridors as they are abandoned or consolidated."

Francis said although the railway studies are "a great initiative," they are only part of a bigger need for better co-operation between the city and county.

He said Lakeshore's refusal to join the efforts to establish a regional water system is an example of a "pick-and-choose" approach to collaboration.

"Regionalism can't be approached a la carte. It can't be something that applies to one issue one day and doesn't apply to another issue another day," Francis said. "We're anxious to sit down and have a discussion about what our regional priorities are. We have to put progress ahead of politics."

Valentinis agreed.

"This is all part of long-term planning for our region and I welcome the opportunity because it's not just about the railway," he said. "It's about developing a model of regional co-operation. That's significant."

Croft said Lakeshore's 2001 economic development report showed that 6,800 Lakeshore residents work in Windsor and commute on a daily basis. About 2,100 Windsor residents work in Lakeshore.

"The railway would encourage people from Windsor to come out to Belle River and explore the region," Croft said. "There's lots to see and do here.

"Maybe we could end up with something fantastic."

© The Windsor Star 2006

--------------------------------------------------------------------

This is the second time in the last couple of months where the Windsor Star has mentioned that Lakeshore is interested in exploring commuter rail. Windsor-Essex certainly has an abundance of tracks and the tracks are reasonably placed to create a commuter rail system. However, as the article points out Mayor Francis has been prodding Transport Canada to consolidate Windsor's rail lines, with the idea that the current VIA line be abandoned and turned into parkland/trails.

Clearly, the VIA line would be the best line for commuter rail as it runs through the heart of Belle River, Tecumseh, etc. The CP line to the south is far removed from those towns, especially Tecumseh. A commuter line could run on the VIA track from Belle River to Jefferson, take the southbound track along Jefferson past the Ford Essex Plant to where that line connects with the CP line. This would allow for the majority of the Windsor portion of the VIA line to be abandoned and allow for access to the eastern burbs.

Number of riders will be the main issue next to cost.

It would be great to have a commuter line from Amherstburg to Belle River. However, I suspect that Ontario and Canada would not choose Windsor as the pilot for such a project.

[Blitz]

Downtown attracts 16 new businesses

The Windsor Star
July 13, 2006
By Dave Hall

At least 16 new businesses have opened in the city centre since January, covering such diverse sectors as food and hospitality, professional services, health, esthetics, clothing and videos.
The new businesses include Bamboo, Castle Restaurant, The Keg, Whiskey Bar & Grill, Downtown Diner, Le Steak at Filmore East, Pause Cafe, Pitt for Pasta, Mila’s Gelato, American Apparel, ON Studio, Park Street Video, Pre-Paid Legal Services, Royal Windsor Pharmacy, Windsor Beauty and Esthetics Supply and Sweet Life Health and Spa.
According to the Downtown Windsor Business Improvement Association, downtown Windsor now has more restaurants per capita than any other city in southwestern Ontario.
Meanwhile at the market this weekend, the WonderBroads will display the boat they’ll be using in the Dragon Boat Racing for Breast Cancer Survivors event and accepting donations.
Other newcomers to the market include local photographer Sue McKellar, who will display her works, and pharmacist Rocco D’Angelo from the Royal Windsor Pharmacy who will be available to answer health-related questions.

[upinottawa]

Anyone been to the downtown farmer's market?

[westerntragedy]

Been meaning to head down to the Farmers Market actually, maybe snap a few pictures too, but haven't had a chance yet. I wonder if business is good there.. they sure got that place setup fast though, it was in place only a few weeks after the Council decision eh?

In other news, Club Lofts in Walkerville is steadily advancing. Most of the tyvek wrap covering the rooms has been removed, and every day I see workers inside installing the 'loft' areas. But the biggest advancement at 'Lofts right now is on the exterior - the brickwork is going up on at least the south-side right now.. noticed it from a distance while driving west on Wyandotte near where the Drouillard train underpass runs.

Got close this morning and snapped a photo:

http://i82.photobucket.com/albums/j255/westerntragedy/wv060713clublofts.jpg

[arnold]

Downtown attracts 16 new businesses
The new businesses include Bamboo, Castle Restaurant, The Keg, Whiskey Bar & Grill, Downtown Diner, Le Steak at Filmore East, Pause Cafe, Pitt for Pasta, Mila’s Gelato, American Apparel, ON Studio, Park Street Video, Pre-Paid Legal Services, Royal Windsor Pharmacy, Windsor Beauty and Esthetics Supply and Sweet Life Health and Spa.

downtown windsor got a KEG? where is it? i can't believe news that big just slipped by unnoticed...

seriously though, those are some pretty substancial new additions to the core. and diverse. i'm glad to see that they're not just all nail salons and weekend clubs. good for windsor.




and is it just me, or is "the pitt for pasta" an awkward name for a resturant? i remember their old location, and pointing it out to friends who would come to town to visit... and we would all have a good laugh at the name.

there, and "crabby dicks". classic stuff...

[y2k_pony]

downtown windsor got a KEG? where is it? i can't believe news that big just slipped by unnoticed...



Its situated in the shorter part of the Chysler Building complex. It faces the river and is right beside the cleary. I also know a girl who works there, She says that they are going building a huge patio out there as well! In similar news; the city is going to announce soon the final tennant for the Chysler building. The finally got that damn thing full!

[Blitz]

The Pitt for Pasta was named because of its location on Pitt Street but now that it's on Chatham Street the name makes no sense. It's a decent restaurant though. Crabby Dick's has closed and now that building houses a little medical centre.

[upinottawa]

^ I find a lot of non-Windsorites who have been to Windsor in the last 5-10 years seem to be aware of Crabby Dick's.

However, obviously "awareness" was not enough to keep that place in business.