[Carlos_x3]

http://community.livejournal.com/windsor_visuals/57150.html


I checked them out and they were great, very nice photography.

[Carlos_x3]

TD Canada Trust HQ touted for city core
Dave Hall, The Windsor Star
Tuesday, June 24, 2008

A local developer proposing to build a new downtown headquarters for TD Canada Trust said he believes bank officials are close to choosing between two prospective sites and will make an announcement within a week.

Lou Mikhail of Mikhail Developments said there are "actually three sites on the table but I believe ours and another across the street are the two logical choices from among the three.

"And I fully expect a decision in the near future," said Mikhail.

The Mikhail development would be built on the northeast corner of Ouellette Avenue and Pitt Street -- a parking lot where the former Smith's department store was located.

The other prospective site, on a parcel of land assembled by Petretta Construction, would include the former Royal Bank building on the southeast corner of Pitt and Ouellette, and possibly adjacent retail stores, as well as a building at 25 Pitt St. E., which houses Patrick O'Ryan's Pub.

"I believe our proposal makes more sense because there's no demolition required before construction could begin and we're also proposing both surface and underground parking as part of the development," said Mikhail.

Petretta declined comment Tuesday other than to say "we expect to find out some good news for downtown Windsor later this week."

A third location is rumoured to be a site occupied by the Palace theatre complex on Ouellette at University Avenue West. The new regional headquarters would replace the bank's outdated building at Ouellette and Wyandotte Street.

Despite the optimism shared by both Petretta and Mikhail, a TD Canada Trust spokesman said Tuesday that no announcement is planned in the near future about a new downtown Windsor bank headquarters, despite persistent rumours that such an announcement is imminent.

"I really have nothing to add to what I said months ago when this issue was first raised," said Nick Petter, a corporate communications officer for the bank.

"We are constantly evaluating our real estate needs," said Petter. "I'm not aware of any imminent announcements. Those must be someone else's words."

Chris Ryan, who owns Patrick O'Ryan's, also said he's unaware of any pending announcement.

"I've not heard anything for months," said Ryan who still has five years left on his lease. "And it's getting more disturbing and disruptive than positive for us right now.

"We've built a steady clientele over the years and anything that would cause us to move would create a headache, especially if it's at short notice," said Ryan.


Sounds like TD is for real. I wonder roughly how big there gonna go with the new HQ. I didn't quite understand the Petretta proposal, Royal bank and TD side by side or what?

[arnold]

^
i'm assuming they would knock down the old royal bank building.
and speaking of which, is the Palace theatre building vacant or something? why would they be proposing to buy that plot and knock down that building if its still well occupied? what about the TV station the honest lawyer and the Avalon? are they all gone?

either way, i would love to see some renderings.

[Blitz]

^ The Palace is still showing movies. The "Royal Bank" they're referring to is a building that's been vacant for many years.

[Carlos_x3]

I had it confused with the newer Royal Bank building. I believe the older Royal Bank building is the block with the big souvenir shop? Would be nice to see that get knocked down for a tower. They will be announcing their location of choice this week!

[jodelli]

I had it confused with the newer Royal Bank building. I believe the older Royal Bank building is the block with the big souvenir shop? Would be nice to see that get knocked down for a tower. They will be announcing their location of choice this week!

A development might be on the same scale as the newer Royal Bank building on the Kresge site, which is not a tower. The old Royal Bank property on the SE corner of Pitt and Ouellette includes a building from the 1800's that housed an ATM lobby and some other RBC services. I got a personal tour of that building from a Coco rep when inquiring about a commercial lease in 2003.

[jodelli]

...and finally, the Casino Expansion is finished! I compiled three sets of photos that sorta time-lapse the construction progress at the Casino. I'm not going to post them here, since I don't want to overwhelm everyone with a million photos, rather here's a link to the sets on my blog:

http://community.livejournal.com/windsor_visuals/57150.html



My last post on this topic, at least on this thread.

Caesars, complete. June 23, 2008

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3117/2606802452_fc367e01c1.jpg?v=0

Also look here (http://forum.skyscraperpage.com/showthread.php?p=3636148&posted=1#post3636148) toward the bottom of the first post.

[Carlos_x3]

A development might be on the same scale as the newer Royal Bank building on the Kresge site, which is not a tower. The old Royal Bank property on the SE corner of Pitt and Ouellette includes a building from the 1800's that housed an ATM lobby and some other RBC services. I got a personal tour of that building from a Coco rep when inquiring about a commercial lease in 2003.

So only a few stories high then. Whatever happened to the proposed 14 storey office tower which was to include TD HQ's and some other tenants?

Anyway, fireworks were great :tup: why not post pics in the ontario section.

[arnold]

the casino looks great in that picture... nice work!

[Blitz]

$900,000 facelift for Windsor gateways

By Doug Williamson,
The Windsor Star
June 27, 2008

Nearly $1-million worth of improvements to major city gateway roads is starting to take place, a long overdue process that city officials hope will create a "vista" for people entering Windsor.

"At the end of the day it'll be a much cleaner approach," said parks director Don Sadler. "We're going to go as far as we can with that funding."

He said $900,000 was budgeted for the measures. The improvements grew out of a brainstorming session last spring among city officials, councillors and local business improvement association representatives looking for ways to spruce up the city's sagging appearance.

The city has placed flower pots in the median area on Dougall Ave. to spruce up the look of the major artery.

It certainly is the right time to do it," said Coun. Drew Dilkens. "The first impression is the most important."

Measures taking place now or are planned include:

--landscaping of embankments on Dougall Avenue between E.C. Row and Tepperman's furniture store, using rocks to create ledges to allow tree planting and landscaping, replacing the former "wild" look of the sites.

--placing flower-filled planters on the median along that stretch, as well as on medians on Howard Avenue.

--ditches along County Road 42 from the city airport to Walker Road have been filled in, allowing landscaping which can then be properly maintained.

--in the fall, 400 mature trees will be planted on Dougall Parkway from the 6th Concession north, lining both sides.

"It's going to be a great way into the city," Dilkens said.

"It's probably going to take us the better part of the summer," Sadler said of the projects other than the Dougall Parkway trees, which have to wait until fall because of extensive roadwork still being done.

He said the intent is to create a colourful appearance "and not concrete and asphalt.

Our attempt is to create a vista. It's a multi-faceted approach."

Tenders have gone out for the trees, and Sadler said he hopes to have Carolinian forest species that are resistant to road salt spray. Fall is a better planting season for mature trees, he said.

"It's a big job, it's just not sticking a tree in the ground."

Two years ago, a public forum was held to get suggestions on improving the look of gateways such as Dougall and Howard, but no recommendations were ever made to council, said Jim Yanchula, manager of urban design and community improvement. He said the loss of two designers and other higher priority projects prevented anything from happening then.

At the time, residents and business owners proposed a variety of measures, including greening of roads and other measures such as installing a high-tech video screen advertising the city and highlighting features.

Two years later, things are starting to happen, but at least one business owner said Friday one of the main problems is still not being addressed.

Taher Abumeeiz, owner of Arcata Pizzeria on Dougall Avenue, still believes pollution from the Zalev Bros. scrapyard is a major problem. You can see rust coloured stains on the road and sidewalks along Howard Avenue as trucks "track out" contaminants.

In addition, truck traffic has increased on Dougall and Abumeeiz said the size of trucks on that stretch should be limited.

He said very few improvements have been done. "All this time there's nothing.

"The truck traffic has increased tremendously on Dougall. If we have a thunderstorm and the light breaks down, God be with you."

Walter Skally, owner of the Ivy Rose Motel on Howard near E.C. Row, said the city should install signs promoting Devonshire Mall and Howard as a shopping district. But he agreed with plans to install planters on the road's medians.

"If they could do something like they're doing on Dougall, that would be beautiful."

[Carlos_x3]

^ To me it sounds like it promotes investment and growth for the suburbs. Well, Dougall to Ouellette downtown will be an even better drive.

[jodelli]

^ To me it sounds like it promotes investment and growth for the suburbs. Well, Dougall to Ouellette downtown will be an even better drive.

These roads need it. The area of Dougall that is getting prettified was in the Windsor suburbs before the amalgamation with part of Sandwich West in the 60s.

As you know the old city boundary is still pretty distinct. Traveling north from the bend at Eugenie one passes from kms of nondescript suburban type roadscape onto the overpass above the CP/Essex Terminal tracks.
Suddenly at the top the change is rather dramatic, and I've heard this from out of towners as well. Ouellette Ave drops down into Jackson Park and a vista including lots of green and a view all the way down the main street to the river and skyline.

They're finally getting around to the boring part.

[jodelli]

Took some pictures Monday.

TD Canada Trust HQ touted for city core
Dave Hall, The Windsor Star
Tuesday, June 24, 2008


The Mikhail development would be built on the northeast corner of Ouellette Avenue and Pitt Street -- a parking lot where the former Smith's department store was located.

The other prospective site, on a parcel of land assembled by Petretta Construction, would include the former Royal Bank building on the southeast corner of Pitt and Ouellette, and possibly adjacent retail stores, as well as a building at 25 Pitt St. E., which houses Patrick O'Ryan's Pub.


Here are both sites, on the left and right corners across the street:
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3028/2628897058_ae7c461f17_b.jpg

Another view of the Mikhail site:
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3012/2628077995_dcb070e1d2.jpg

Here's some other unfinished business. Any ideas?
'Western Anchor':
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3095/2627922415_ae034b3c58_b.jpg
I'm thinking let's get some 'art' up on that bare AGW wall. And put up a giant anchor in the parking lot across the street.
At least there's a decent bus terminal here now. And the hole has recently been filled in.
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3030/2626311587_62aeeed98b_b.jpg

Armouries:
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3010/2628740270_c0590f86ab_b.jpg

Canderel, first floor space under parking deck:
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3188/2628772936_6c0b2283c1_b.jpg
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3187/2628772514_a50b25ecd7_b.jpg

Downtown pan from Hilton garage:
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3064/2628772370_0d5075d992_b.jpg
The Salvation Army auditorium in the right foreground is still vacant. The 1920's tan Canada Trust building across the street has seen it's HSBC tenant move out of the main floor. Plus the main floor of the Canderel parking garage at the left of the photo.

[westerntragedy]

Love your panoramas! Tilt-swing lens? Or stitching software?

[jodelli]

Love your panoramas! Tilt-swing lens? Or stitching software?

Canon PhotoStitch. Came with the camera. It works better the more shots I take.
Been eying better cameras lately. And tripods that are small but useful.

[Carlos_x3]

Awesome pics, thanks.

I grew up going to the latino church in the old salvation army building, some good memories that go back way into the 80's. I can't believe it's still sitting vacant.

That Caesars tower blends in nice.

[arnold]

nice pics.
its just too bad there are so many 'for lease' signs, empty store fronts and vacant lots around the core. and the ground floor of candrell is still empty? its been finished for half a decade now, you would think they would have gotten something in there by now.

one last thought, it would be a total shame if the new TD building caused the demolition of the old, cream coloured (victorian?) storefronts along ouellette. windsor has done a horrible job of maintaining any of its historic downtown core buildings and to lose some of the few left would be disappointing.

[jodelli]

... and the ground floor of candrell is still empty? its been finished for half a decade now, you would think they would have gotten something in there by now.


The office building is full. The open space is about 3/4 of the ground level below the parking garage. A Keg restaurant occupies the NW corner.

The space is the ground floor next to the two parked vans.
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3051/2632753904_d1cc0e6081_b.jpg

[Carlos_x3]

The historic bmo building on ottawa street at walker rd has been knocked down. I seen the pile of rubble today as I drove by

[Blitz]

They made a last-minute attempt to save it but the hands of city council were tied because the building was never on the heritage protection list. It's unfortunate that two historic buildings on Walker Rd have been lost this year.

[arnold]

^was that bmo building on the NW corner? i can't remember the building but i remember that it looked like it had suffered several painful additions and/or conversions over the years. was it just the facade at the corner that was historic?
what is slated to go in its place?

and i remember seeing the keg on the corner of the candrell lot the last time i was in town, which is cool, but that's still a lot of river front retail space that's sitting empty.

[Blitz]

Yes, that's the one and the whole building was historic but not heritage listed. It'll remain a parking lot for now but the owner had someone interested in signing a 10-year lease on the property with the condition that the building was demolished.

[westerntragedy]

Yeah it was quite a demolition derby at the BMO Bank site too. Owner wants people to see his plaza from Walker, at the expense of this building.

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3259/2629323655_a3d451c507.jpg?v=0


http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3009/2629325765_5b004cd1e2_b.jpg

[Carlos_x3]

Wasn't like the building was run down or an eyesore. IMO it was renovated nicely and if i remember right it was brick and concrete work, not ugly stucco. That intersection doesn't look right anymore. The plaza behind looks horrible, so outdated. You can catch a view of the roof on the photo above ^ left behind the demo.

[westerntragedy]

Run down, not at all. BMO moved up to Tecumseh and Walker about a year ago. The Bank was still in great shape outside plus fantastic inside, limestone floors, a facade with highly detailed moulding and crown pillars. It would've made a great conversion to a restaurant like what they did with the Gourmet Emporium on Wyandotte and Chilver.

And yeah, that plaza is fugly! Used to have a Shoppers in there, which was the main attraction, but it moved to the Market. Sometimes I don't know what's gotten into these developers minds lol

[Carlos_x3]

Windsor Chinatown reinvented
$10 million plan proposed for city's west side
The Windsor Star, Wednesday, July 09, 2008

Nine years ago, Peter Lui's extraordinary vision came crashing down.

Now, his original plans, lovingly kept, are dusted off as he strives once again to spur development of a Windsor Chinatown, a commercial and hotel development conceived for railway land on Windsor's west side.

And here's where Lui's vision takes a new turn: He and local realtor Al Teshuba have spent the last 18 months approaching local business groups, including the Detroit River Tunnel Partnership and the Ambassador Bridge, with the idea of not only reinventing Chinatown, but of using the existing rail tunnel to ferry passengers between Windsor and Detroit, once it is replaced with a new tunnel that can carry double-stack rail cars.

He estimates the development, not including the cost of purchasing and operating GO-style passenger train cars, would cost $10 million.

As trains rumble through the 100-year-old Windsor-Detroit rail tunnel underneath several acres of land on the south and north sides of Wyandotte Street West, grassy, overgrown property remains vacant. But few people know how close the dream came to reality, the 65-year-old Lui recalls.

"I had investors coming in, I had tenants set up," he said Wednesday. There were plans for a five-storey, three-to-four-star hotel, commercial-retail and banquet facilities, four-storey office building and a fast food district, among other ideas. Oriental gateways would span Wyandotte on both sides of the new Chinatown.

Hotel chain investors in Florida, Toronto and Hong Kong were interested. And most crucially, Lui had secured an agreement to buy several acres of then CN-owned land over top the tunnel, which was still heavily in use then and operated by CN and CP rail.

City officials were on board, zoning was in place, and the Hong Kong-born architect-turned-contractor had the expertise to construct buildings which would withstand ground vibrations from freight trains underneath.

He put down a $15,000 deposit on the property, and was getting ready to go. The plan then was to lure Chinese gamblers from Toronto to stay in Windsor and visit the original casino. Everything seemed positive.

Then, in November of 1999 CN sent him a letter saying they were withdrawing from the proposed sale "due to outstanding internal issues." His deposit was returned, and the project was dead.

To this day, Lui says he doesn't know why they changed their mind. "It (was) a broken dream," he said. "I don't want to mislead anybody."

The tunnel was eventually turned over to CP as CN's new rail tunnel in Sarnia-Port Huron was completed. Now the facility is owned by CP and the OMERS pension fund, with the Detroit River Tunnel Partnership fronting them.

With the DRTP's original plan to turn the rail tunnel into a truck highway all but abandoned, the owners are planning -- no one knows when -- to build a new rail tunnel high enough to accommodate double-stack rail cars. The new tunnel plan has widespread support from groups on both sides of the border, including county council and the Michigan House of Representatives. So far, Windsor council has not endorsed it, but Coun. Bill Marra said it is an idea whose time has come.

"This is a very significant part of our well-being," Marra said of a new rail tunnel.

DRTP spokesman Matt Marchand would not comment on Lui and Teshuba's idea, but he confirmed plans for a new rail tunnel. "We're strictly talking about rail," he said when asked whether the truck traffic idea was still in place.

He said a new tunnel would take four years to build and cost between $350 and $400 million.

Lui, stressing that he is looking for interested people to lead development of a Chinatown development that could utilize the old double tunnel, said at his age he needs the help. But he said all it would take is for DRTP to either sell the three acres of land, or permit its use, to kick-start things.

He and Teshuba said with Windsor's economy changing, tourism will become more important. If U.S. visitors could park their cars in Detroit, take the train to Windsor and then take shuttle buses to the casino and downtown, as well as stay in Chinatown, the boost to the economy could be tremendous.

"I don't want to jump the gun and say we've got a project on the table," Lui added. "I have to get investors. First of all I have to get CP to agree.

"I'd still like to see this project go."

[Border City Boy]

Here's a few links to photos of the Bank of Montreal for those that can't remeber what it looked like...

http://www.internationalmetropolis.com/?p=693

http://www.internationalmetropolis.com/?p=706

http://www.internationalmetropolis.com/?p=709

[Carlos_x3]

Great pics. I decided to host some.

http://i123.photobucket.com/albums/o305/truko_loko13/609a.jpg

http://i123.photobucket.com/albums/o305/truko_loko13/609f.jpg

http://i123.photobucket.com/albums/o305/truko_loko13/609c.jpg

http://i123.photobucket.com/albums/o305/truko_loko13/609g.jpg

[jodelli]

Amica on the Drive just east of Pillette Rd is above ground.

"7 Supervisor of Development Application Teams Application of Amica Mature Lifestyles Inc. for site plan approval to permit a Lodging House – Adult Retirement and Accessory Facility (12 story building with accessory facilities within the building; 82 underground parking spaces and 11 visitor spaces, 5 staff parking spaces as surface parking area) located at 4881 and 4909 Riverside Drive East File ZS/9844"

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3011/2658871829_9af35620cb.jpg
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3247/2659699278_961f4104e0.jpg
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3150/2659698702_0ac5fcf7a4.jpg

East Windsor Cogeneration Centre (84 MW) - Windsor
http://www.powerauthority.on.ca/Page.asp?PageID=924&ContentID=5116
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3185/2658874055_fc5a8b1437.jpg
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3182/2659700836_0a4797056c.jpg

[Carlos_x3]

^ Sounds better then sunrise two doors down. I'm sure when it is done it will be taking over some of sunrise' existing and potential clientele.

[Carlos_x3]

Canal plan floated for downtown
'This provides a sense of community, identity and mixed use we have desired for the Western Super Anchor'

The Windsor Star - Monday, July 28, 2008

Mayor Eddie Francis will today unveil an ambitious water and boardwalk concept for the Western Super Anchor properties he believes can finally help transform the downtown dead zone.

A large cut into the shoreline that would bring the Detroit River inland near Caron Avenue and create a waterway to house a new marina is a major component of the proposal developed by Toronto urban designer Calvin Brook. The 40-foot-deep basin would be shadowed by a combined condo and retail development.

Also included in Brook's concept is conversion of a three-block stretch of either Pitt Street or Chatham Street into a new east-west 20-foot-deep canal filled with municipal -- not Detroit River -- water that eventually travels north back toward the riverfront on property just west of the art gallery.

"Now that the casino (expansion) is open people have been saying 'What can we do to spur people and attract them to the city?'" Francis said.

"This provides a sense of community, identity and mixed use we have desired for the Western Super Anchor. It all translates into economic benefits. The time for this is right.

"This project is not going to be up and running tomorrow, but it's a plan for the future. We get asked to make a decision and that's what we are doing."

While the idea of cutting the river inland in the area near Caron has been a concept thrown around since the mid-1980s, the idea of adding a downtown canal is new, driven by what's been done in cities such as San Antonio and Oklahoma City.

The mayor credits city solicitor George Wilkki for suggesting it might work for Windsor, during a recent city strategic planning session. Brook has turned the idea into a reality in his renderings.

After today's unveiling, the next step calls for a three-month feasibility study to determine what's technically doable and what it would cost.

The mayor then hopes to stage several community open houses to gather feedback and gauge support for the plan.

There are no firm construction cost estimates for the plan, only early projections which suggest $60 million will be needed for the new waterway infrastructure -- roughly $30 million for the marina basin, $18 million for the canal and $12 million for site servicing.

But the mayor warned nothing is truly known financially until the feasibility study is completed.

The city is only to fund and help develop the water and walkway infrastructure under the plan. If the city builds the infrastructure, Francis hopes the private sector will come -- transforming a downtown western core into a destination of shops, residences, museums and restaurants.

"Our focus is on the infrastructure which will be a catalyst for the development," he said.

Windsor Family Credit Union, through president Marty Komsa, has offered to help pay some of the anticipated $65,000 cost to do the feasibility study and the mayor is seeking other private support. He hopes to get the study underway by late August.

Brook was instrumental in developing the central riverfront implementation plan for Windsor in the mid-1990s and was part of the former Killer Bs' downtown arena proposal. He received $10,000 for his latest rendering for the city.

He has developed a waterfront plan for Toronto and recently co-authored a study proposing the transformation of that city's elevated Gardiner Expressway with a network of public spaces, buildings and landscapes as an alternative to demolition.

He was in Scotland on Monday and could not be reached for comment.

Former MPP and NDP cabinet minister Dave Cooke, who returned from Toronto in April to again reside in Windsor, has been recruited by the mayor to help push the concept toward reality.

Cooke became intrigued because he believes the proposal offers more bang for the Western Super Anchor site originally than previous plans. The land, behind the art gallery, was originally consolidated by the city for an arena that's now being built in the east end and most recently was touted for a University of Windsor engineering campus, which the university decided to instead locate on campus.

"I just think this is so different than building an arena or engineering building that attempted to be the 'one thing,'" said Cooke, chairman of the University of Windsor's board of governors. "This is a concept that attracts not only people visiting the city, but for people living here to come back downtown.

"This is how we can integrate the waterfront into downtown. Today you get one block way and you don't know the water is there. This has amazing potential. This will get people going back and forth. This will bring the waterfront into the city."

He believes the concept offers Windsor a chance to change its reputation.

"You want people living, working and playing in a downtown mixed-use area," Cooke said. "There are challenges. This will not happen overnight. But this is a link on what we can do to attract investment. This will create jobs."

City planner Thom Hunt described the proposal as an exciting project that offers an opportunity to connect people with the waterfront in the downtown core.

"The central riverfront plan called for a linkage from downtown to the waterfront and this plan puts into images how to accomplish that," Hunt said. "The opportunities are dynamic.

"People are attracted to water. They want to sit near it, look at it. This actually brings those elements downtown. It's exciting and you want to get to a point where we can start to build it. The location, proximity to downtown and proximity to water features will be a good market."

There are also early ongoing port authority talks about launching a new Windsor-Detroit ferry taxi service which also could be tied to the proposal, the mayor said.

"The city is not getting involved with any of the developments," he said. "The city will be doing what we should be -- investing in infrastructure. By doing this, we give the city a chance to do bigger and better things.

"It's not pie-in-the-sky because people understand the significance of the riverfront. We will put it out there and see what the community reaction will be."

http://i123.photobucket.com/albums/o305/truko_loko13/1-thumbjuly2929n-anchor.jpg
Artist drawing of the Western Super Anchor site. The new plan features a canal and urban village between Caron Avenue and Church Street bound by the Detroit River and University Avenue.
Photograph by : Handout photo

[Carlos_x3]

This is the response from the mayors waterfront proposal:

Cash raining down on mayor
Businesses line up to fund the waterfront feasibility study, London developer backs Mayor Francis
The Windsor Star - Tuesday, July 29, 2008

A feasibility study on the latest western super anchor proposal for the most ailing part of Windsor's downtown is being launched immediately after cheques rained down on Mayor Eddie Francis Tuesday.

Just minutes before the formal unveiling of an ambitious multi-million-dollar inland marina and canal development plan for the area west of The Art Gallery of Windsor and bus depot, London developer Shmuel Farhi pledged $25,000 towards the study looking into its viability and cost.

Farhi, whose company owns the vacant Riverside Drive property to the immediate west of the art gallery, joked that he decided on that amount after hearing similar pledges were coming from Windsor Family Credit Union and the Windsor Port Authority. CAW Local 444 president Ken Lewenza also threw his union's support behind the project with a $5,000 contribution.

"When you ask, 'Is this really going to happen?' Just watch us," said Francis, who, like Lewenza and other speakers at Tuesday's announcement in the foyer of the art gallery, denounced the "naysayers" already lining up to predict this latest in a string of grand plans for the downtown west side will similarly lead to nothing.

"This is exciting ... this is the type of vision we need in this city," said former MPP and cabinet minister Dave Cooke, who will lead a broad-based community study team overseeing the ambitious project.

Daniel Krutsch of Landmark Engineers Inc. said with Tuesday's go-ahead, the feasibility study, estimated to cost up to $75,000, will be launched by next week and could take 10 weeks. He pegged a "very preliminary" estimate on the project's infrastructure costs at about $60 million.

The plan includes a large cut into the Detroit River shoreline and creation of an inland marina parallel to Caron Avenue. Another centrepiece of an urban village of boardwalks and mixed residential and commercial development would be a new east-west canal conversion of either Pitt Street or Chatham Street.

"I'm convinced it's doable ... bravo to the people of Windsor," said developer Farhi, when asked why he made his $25,000 donation to the feasibility study.

[Carlos_x3]

Mayor Eddie Francis has unveiled a new western super anchor proposal that includes a canal, a marina and a boardwalk. The canal would be dredged from the Detroit River parallel to Caron Avenue and south to University Avenue. The project also includes a combination condo and retail development. Early estimates put the projected cost at approximately $120 million. Francis says a 3-month feasibility study will help to determine a more accurate cost, benefit and timeline for construction.

http://i123.photobucket.com/albums/o305/truko_loko13/rendering-winter-smaller.jpg

http://i123.photobucket.com/albums/o305/truko_loko13/rendering-summer-smaller.jpg

[arnold]

this proposal looks pretty interesting. i like the fact that its way more interesting and 'downtown friendly' than just an arena or wayne gretzky's grill. lets hope they can make this work.

and actually... given the magnatude of the plans, i'm a little suprised that there hasn't been more conversation about this on these boards.

[WaterlooInvestor]

Hey,

My bf, a female friend and myself all decided we'd like to do a small trip tonight (Saturday). I haven't been to Windsor since 2004, and back then the city's party scene was absolutely wild, which is why I've suggested Windsor as our destination (Plus I'd like to check out the casino :cool: ). Is it still like that, or has the high dollar noticeably reduced the nightlife?

What are the best clubs to go to? Is everything good on Ouellette, or are there any hot places just off that main strip? We're in our mid-20's, so we'd prefer places where it's not dominated solely by 19-year olds. I seem to remember a club in an old factory on the NW side of the downtown - does that ring a bell for anyone, and is it an alright place?

Restaurant suggestions? $15-20 would be the preferred price range. Also, the place must have a good vegetarian meal for the bf.

Also, is anyone having a pre-club house party tonight where you'd welcome 3 more guests?

:cheers:

WI

[jodelli]

Hey,


What are the best clubs to go to? Is everything good on Ouellette, or are there any hot places just off that main strip? We're in our mid-20's, so we'd prefer places where it's not dominated solely by 19-year olds. I seem to remember a club in an old factory on the NW side of the downtown - does that ring a bell for anyone, and is it an alright place?

Restaurant suggestions? $15-20 would be the preferred price range. Also, the place must have a good vegetarian meal for the bf.

Also, is anyone having a pre-club house party tonight where you'd welcome 3 more guests?

:cheers:

WI

The Loop is on the north end of downtown west of Ouellette, if that's the place you meant. It's the grungy second floor of an old furniture store and used to be a favorite of mine. Depends on the night.
http://www.canada.com/windsorstar/features/thescene/story.html?id=ed92596c-18ab-4256-8415-ae480ea6ec48&k=64838

The Junction is at an old streetcar barn further west on University, don't know if they're still open. It sort of looks like a factory, but...

There are these for the nosh:
http://www.255downtown.com/chanosos/
http://www.plunkettsrestaurant.com/menu-dinner.html
http://www.bistroattheriver.com/001-Menu.htm

et al:
http://www.windsoreats.com/

The Caesar's gaming floor is approximately the same, surrounds have changed a lot. Of course they have food too.

[jodelli]

A development might be on the same scale as the newer Royal Bank building on the Kresge site, which is not a tower. The old Royal Bank property on the SE corner of Pitt and Ouellette includes a building from the 1800's that housed an ATM lobby and some other RBC services. I got a personal tour of that building from a Coco rep when inquiring about a commercial lease in 2003.


http://www.canada.com/windsorstar/news/story.html?id=d1227a4a-0f36-49fd-8d32-465594d4c2fd

TD bank's facade may rise again
Proposed for $10M bank project
Gary Rennie, Windsor Star
Published: Saturday, August 16, 2008

After almost a decade in storage, the marble facade of the historic Toronto Dominion Bank building could be used to showcase a proposed $10-million-plus development on Ouellette Avenue at Pitt Street.

Believing a new bank could be locating there, the city's heritage advisory committee has asked local developer Dave Petretta to pitch the reuse of the facade to clients for his proposed commercial building.

The facade was part of the TD Bank branch that anchored the Riverside Drive and Ouellette corner of the Norwich Block until its demolition by the city to make way for the Candarel Stoneridge Equity Group development.

Petretta wants to demolish the former Manning Hotel at the southeast corner of Ouellette and Pitt, which has been mostly vacant since the Royal Bank moved to a new building.

In an interview Friday, Petretta said he's agreed to ask potential clients if the TD Bank facade can be incorporated into designs for the new building.

Petretta wouldn't confirm that one of those clients is a bank.

He said he's still looking for tenants and arranging financing and can't release names at this point.

Earlier this week, the heritage committee decided not to recommend historical designation for the former hotel.

The building is currently in the city's inventory of some 700 buildings of historic value.

Little remains of the original century-old hotel except for a small part of the façade facing Ouellette Avenue, said Greg Heil, chair of the heritage committee. The interior has also been extensively modified over the years to accommodate other uses, he added. At this point in time, it's really been divided into three buildings, he said.

Heil said the heritage committee saw Petretta's development as a rare opportunity to put the TD bank façade back on a downtown street not far from its original location.

"It's an elegant old facade," said Heil, an architect.

The TD's marble Beaux-Arts bank building was designed by New York architects Carrere and Hastings and considered one of the city's landmarks.

The city spent almost $500,000 to demolish the Norwich Block in 1999 and about half that cost was needed to remove the bank's marble exterior and properly store it.

At the time, the city called for bids to reuse the facade, but got only one proposal from a commercial development on Walker Road that was rejected. Cost of bringing the facade out of storage and erecting it was estimated then at $600,000.

A few other ideas for reuse of the facade have been pitched over the years -- including making it part of the new Windsor Art Gallery building or the proposed Joseph Chimczuk museum, if the latter ever gets built.

Because the Manning Hotel building is listed in its inventory, city council will still have to approve a demolition permit, Heil said.

Petretta said he hopes to start demolition Oct. 1. The demolition, if approved, wouldn't affect the Shanfields-Meyers Jewellery and China Shop and adjacent Canada Gift Shop, which share the Ouellette Avenue block.

© The Windsor Star 2008

Here's a photo of that corner I took earlier this summer. The site's to the right:
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3028/2628897058_ae7c461f17_b.jpg

[y2k_pony]

I would be very glad to see that building go and be replaced by a nice glass tower with the bottom incorporating the old Bank facade. Hopefully this project will get going soon.

[Carlos_x3]

Windsor Airport to get $1.2M upgrade
The Windsor Star - Monday, August 18, 2008

Council agreed Monday to begin $1.2-million in repair and replacement upgrades at the Windsor Airport terminals.

Much of the planned improvements is focused on the airport's west terminal, including the departure lounge, security system and washrooms.

Approval was given to a tender for $667,836 awarded to Piroli Construction to carry out the bulk of work. Other funds previously approved under the 2008 city budget will go toward security system improvements, architect fees and other construction-related costs.

The work has been accelerated somewhat under a request by airport administration so that it can be completed in November -- prior to the charter season getting underway at the airport.

It is the first time in nearly two years that charter flight business has taken place at the airport.

Executive named

In another move related to the airport, council approved naming its CAO John Skorobohacz as the accountable executive.

The move was required to satisfy requirements under the Canadian Aviation Regulations issued by Transport Canada.

Coun. Drew Dilkens had some concerns whether the appointment would detract from Skorobohacz's duties with the city.

"When I see this fall upon our chief administrative officer it brings some questions to mind," he said

But airport general manager Federica Nazzani said the title was more administrative in nature and was being duplicated in other major cities such as London where the CAO was also being appointed to the same role.

Mayor Eddie Francis added how he expects a report will come to city council in September detailing a recommendation for new community members to be appointed to the board of directors at the airport.

The mayor, Skorobohacz and treasurer Onoria Colucci have been acting as the board since the city took control of operation at the airport more than a year ago.

[jodelli]

RIP Ford Foundry:
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2337/2540249771_666e321942_o.jpg

[arnold]

^
at least the air quality in that part of town will improve...

[Carlos_x3]

Lear plant demolition planned
Site might be redeveloped for a hotel, shopping and apartments
The Windsor Star: Friday, August 22, 2008

London-based developer Shmuel Farhi will demolish the former Lear Corporation plant on Lauzon Road this fall, clearing the way for a massive development that could top $100 million and include a hotel, restaurants, retail outlets, apartment towers and senior-citizen residences.

Farhi, who owns much of downtown London through Farhi Holdings Corp., which has real estate assets of more than $500 million across Ontario, confirmed in a phone interview that he's finalizing plans to tear down the sprawling 43-year-old factory, with demolition beginning as early as October, and is working on longterm development plans for the 60-acre site that could, over the long haul, exceed 500,000 square feet and would benefit from close proximity to the city's WFCU Arena complex.

"It would complement the great work the city has done. I see mixed use. Commercial. Anything and everything we can build there. We can do whatever. I have to see what we can place next to it (the arena)," said the Israeli-born dynamo who presides over a property empire that includes more than four million square feet of office, retail, commercial and residential space at more than 100 locations across Ontario.

If someone were to indicate an interest in buying a piece of that 60 acres, Farhi said he would consider it. "If we have to sever a few acres, sure." He said he's been in discussions with hotel firms that could build and operate a hotel.

Farhi acquired the 100-acre Lear property in 2005 for $8 million. In the fall of 2006 he traded 40 acres of land behind the Lear plant to the city for the arena, in exchange for a prime 1.1-acre site west of the Art Gallery of Windsor plus $1.5 million in cash.

He said it will cost him more than $1 million to demolish the 719,000-square-foot factory. An offspring of the Autopact, it opened as the GM trim plant in November 1965 and once boasted more than 2,500 employees. Lear ended production on June 6 and, according to Farhi, is currently removing stock that can be used in its other factories.

Farhi, perhaps London's most colourful citizen, a born kidder and part owner of a camel farm in southern Israel who jokes about his great future as a Canadian camel importer, said he's been "talking to many different contractors" but would especially like to work with the Collavino family, owners of PCR Contractors, which is building the WFCU Centre.

"They're good people. A great family. I hope they're going to take a good part of that looking forward," he said.
"I can see eventually 60 acres being developed ... the equivalent of an entire downtown."

Asked about the risks of investing in a city rocked by economic misery, including a disastrous real estate market, Farhi sounded unperturbed. He said Windsor has obvious advantages, including being located next to the U.S., an attractive setting on a beautiful river and a "straight-shooter" mayor and council who are pro-development and able to see potential in the city's candidly admitted problems.

"This city went through tremendous hits with the car industry. We need to bring something new to Windsor," said Farhi. He said the proposed downtown marina and canal, now the subject of a feasibility study to which he contributed $25,000, is "a genius idea" and exactly the kind of thinking Windsor needs. "This is the most interesting plan I've seen in any community in this country."

Farhi said the Lear plant's demise is part of a transition in the east end. "This area changes from industrial to future commercial and residential."

As for the feared traffic bottlenecks this winter during Spitfire games at the WFCU Centre, Farhi said that won't happen. "Don't worry. I'll give them what they need," he said referring to the thousands of former Lear parking spaces.

Mayor Francis said it's "bittersweet news" that the plant is being demolished. "My first priority would be to have a plant open and people working." But it's better, he agreed, to have redevelopment in the Lauzon/Tecumseh area than a padlocked plant.

"You want activity. You want action," said Francis. "The entire Lauzon Road corridor is going to come to life again. This just adds to and complements the activity at the WFCU Centre. Shrewd investors are already picking up properties."

Last year the London Free Press described Farhi, who has more than 80 properties in downtown London, as having "a buy-and-hold philosophy, acquiring what he sees as quality real estate and holding it for the long term."

London real estate broker George Kerhoulas told the newspaper that Farhi's investment strategy is different. "It is very long-term thinking, more of a European strategy and not North American." He added that Farhi is "a very savvy guy. Never underestimate him."

[y2k_pony]

Boy this would real breathe some life into the Lauzon area. Ever since the plant shutdown that area has been dead. I just hope its not going to be lined with strip malls.

[Carlos_x3]

Boy this would real breathe some life into the Lauzon area. Ever since the plant shutdown that area has been dead. I just hope its not going to be lined with strip malls.

I hear ya. I'm looking forward to the theme landscaping they plan to do for Lauzon road. No sidewalks there at the moment.

Hopefully Transit Windsor reconsiders adding a Bus stop at or near the W.F.C.U Arena.

[arnold]

could be interesting, but i predict really nicely landscaped strip malls and parking lots... suburbia 2.0

[y2k_pony]

could be interesting, but i predict really nicely landscaped strip malls and parking lots... suburbia 2.0

unfortunately you are probably right. I would like to see a nice hotel and maybe some other sorts of entertainment go up in that area. Other then tecumseh mall there isnt much to do out that way.

[DHLawrence]

$313M project seeks to merge Windsor rail lines (http://www.canada.com/windsorstar/story.html?id=5785dbdc-b394-4572-9b61-bd020ce15172)

Dalson Chen
The Windsor Star

Monday, August 25, 2008

The city's railway issues committee has completed a study on a proposed $313-million project that would eliminate two-thirds of the railroad tracks in Windsor.

"That means a lot less interruption, a lot less impact on the neighbourhoods," Coun. Fulvio Valentinis, the committee's chairman, said Monday night.

"You're also looking at a different location for a new railway station. You're looking at more efficient movement of goods."

The project has been discussed since 2004, but Valentinis said the study that will go to city council on Sept. 9 contains the technically preferred solution.

If undertaken, the multiphase project would consolidate Windsor's existing lines for Canadian National, Canadian Pacific Railway and VIA Rail into one major double-tracked route.

"The main CP line would be the one that carries the traffic," Valentinis said.

The VIA line along the riverfront would be closed, and Windsor's train station would be relocated -- "probably in the downtown area."

The city's public works department estimates completion of the first phase alone would cost $175 million and take between five and 10 years.

Valentinis said one of the obstacles to the project is the commitment of CN and CP, both of whom would lose some flexibility in the region as a result of the project.

At the meeting, the committee identified the participation of Transport Canada as a key factor in the project's success.

"They're the ones who can force these people to the table," Valentinis said.

"At the same time, CP has expressed an interest in a new railway tunnel, and this would play into that."

The new railway tunnel -- large enough to accommodate modern container freight cars -- between Windsor and Detroit would add $400 million to the project's cost.

Asked who would pay for it all, Valentinis said the railway companies would be expected to bear the bulk of the cost as the project's major stakeholders, with federal assistance from Transport Canada.

"The railway companies have been part of this (study)," he said.

"This is not just a consultant with a pie-in-the-sky. They have been funders of this particular solution, they have participated."

A public review process will take place after the study goes to council.

Valentinis said the study itself cost about $290,000.

About $100,000 was paid by the City of Windsor.

Sounds about right: "We've got a great new expensive project in the works for you guys. Oh, by the way, you have to pay the bill." Good luck getting CN and CP on board with a proposition like that.

[arnold]

hey, at least they're still entertaining the idea of putting the VIA station downtown instead of out by the airport... that's positive news.

[Carlos_x3]

From the AM800 website:

OFFICE TOWER WELCOMED 2008-08-28 06:54:31

Plans for a new office tower in downtown Windsor are being welcomed by the Business Improvement Association. President, Larry Horowitz, says TD-Canada Trust is planning a new building and parking garage at Ouellette Avenue and Pitt Street. An official announcement is expected soon.

PELEE ISLAND DEVELOPMENT 2008-08-28 15:46:35

The mayor of Pelee Island is hoping for a large turnout for a public meeting tonight on a proposed 300-million dollar resort development. Mayor Rick Masse thinks the development is a great fit for the island. It includes a 3000 housing unit and two golf courses. The open house is at the legion beginning at 8.

[arnold]

^
lets hope they put that parking underground (or on top)... and not site adjacent like the candrell development.

[y2k_pony]

Arnold, by looking at the site location that they will be building on. I doubt that they will have the room for an adjacent garage. More then likely it will be underground. And yes the candrel buildings garage is quite an eyesore... Prime riverfront property and they build a garage that is 3x as long as the office tower. :koko:

[Carlos_x3]

Any pics of the Grand Prix events downtown this weekend?

[jodelli]

Any pics of the Grand Prix events downtown this weekend?

Not from me, was in St Thomas on Friday, didn't bring my camera on Saturday, and forgot to bang off a couple a shots of the cart racing on my way to the IRL race in Detroit on Sunday.

[westerntragedy]

Any pics of the Grand Prix events downtown this weekend?There's a few of the Karting Grand Prix from a contributor on my blog (http://community.livejournal.com/windsor_visuals/62624.html).

[westerntragedy]

The WFCU Centre (Sep. 10th 2008). She's looking good! Almost done:


http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3157/2847326568_631bcb3d8e.jpg?v=0



http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3190/2847328940_ea43e4c1df.jpg?v=0



http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3087/2847331460_9c1809c294.jpg?v=0



http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3046/2846497543_5b531d7945.jpg?v=0



http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3229/2846499427_8b45856012.jpg?v=0

This last one is a view toward the arena from the other side of Little River. They were supposed to construct a bridge right here so that the arena could be accessible from the east, but apparently wet conditions in the winter/spring prevented this.

[cujo8400]

New bank for Pitt and Ouellette
Patrick O Ryan's closes Oct. 30

Dave Hall
The Windsor Star


Tuesday, September 23, 2008

Construction of a new TD Canada Trust banking centre at the corner of Pitt Street East and Ouellette Avenue is expected to begin before the end of the year, according to a bank spokeswoman.

"I can confirm that we are going into that location and that construction is expected to begin soon but for competitive reasons, I can't provide any more details," said Kelly Hechler. "We generally don't talk about new bank branches and locations until they are about to open."

It's expected the branch will offer a full range of services including commercial and business banking as well as wealth management.

First reported in The Star last November, the $10-million-plus development, on land assembled by Petretta Construction, will require demolition of the long-vacant former Royal Bank building at 166 Ouellette Ave. as well as an adjacent building at 25 Pitt St. E., which is currently occupied by Patrick O Ryan's Pub. The development will also include the parking lot next to Ryan's.

Chris Ryan, who opened his pub in June 1997, said he expected to close the doors Oct. 30.

"Discussions about this development have been going on for a while but it's only been finalized within the past week or so and it's too early to decide what to do next," said Ryan, who does not own the building.

"I just need some time to regroup and decide what to do," said Ryan. "We've had our peaks and valleys over the years and we've developed a strong, loyal clientele who came to see Ryan's as a destination as opposed to just another downtown bar.

"But all good things eventually come to an end and this will be it for us," said Ryan.

Ryan said he'd looked at other downtown locations to replicate his Irish pub's atmosphere but couldn't find anything that fits his needs.

The former Royal Bank building, which was originally the Manning House Hotel, is on the city's inventory of historical buildings and the developers will need council approval for a demolition permit.

The demolition, if approved, wouldn't affect the Shanfield-Meyers Jewellery and China Shop and adjacent Canada Gift Shop, which share the same Ouellette block.

dhall@thestar.canwest.com or 519-255-5777, ext. 408.

[y2k_pony]

^ this is great news! I heard through the grapevine that this building should be approx 20 stories. They were trying to buy the Goyeau parking garage next door but that was squashed by city council because the garage is city owned. Hopefull the tower will extend the length of pitt and we wont end up with another tower+ parking garage like the candrel building. I also heard that across the street between papa cheneys and the travelodge is going to be redeveloped into another office tower. Dont have many details on that at this time. Its great to see that these parking lots are going to be filled with some nice mid-level towers though!

[westerntragedy]

Here's a rendering of what they're proposing for between Papa Cheney's and the Travelodge:

http://www.mikhailholdings.com/assets/images/Riverfront-Towers/riverfronttowers.jpg

From Mikhail Holdings' site:
http://www.mikhailholdings.com/property/RiverfrontTowers/Riverfront-Towers.html

[Blitz]

^Nice rendering. I hope all of this happens but I have to wonder how downtown can support so much more office space?

[y2k_pony]

I assume it will be somewhat like the Candrel tower. If you build it.. they will come. That tower is now full. It also depends how much per square foot they will be asking. TD tower should be pretty full though. They said they have quite a few companies on board.

[Border City Boy]

The TD "tower" that is being built is not a tower at all.

I've seen the rendering, and it will be a 4 or 5 storey glass box.

As for the Riverside rendering posted above, it looks nice, and would be a great addition to the skyline, but I wouldn't hold my breath. Mikal Holdings also owns the CIBC Tower next to that proposed building, and the CIBC building has a lot of vacant space.

I can see a develloper building a new office tower, when one that they own, next door isn't at 100% occupancy.

[Blitz]

^ Is this the one? It's on the Mikhail website but the drawing looks like it's at the wrong corner of the intersection.

http://www.mikhailholdings.com/assets/images/bankingcenter/bankingCetnerlg.jpg

[y2k_pony]

I have seen that rendering before, you are right, thats the building on the other side of pitt (north-east corner). Do you have a rendering of the td building Andrew? It would be interesting to see.. I have not seen one of the TD yet. Just heard that it was going to be around 15-20 stories.

[cujo8400]

Proposed site for new Windsor jail: Walker and 401


Craig Pearson
The Windsor Star
Friday, September 26, 2008


Windsor's growing big-box area on Walker Road will soon have another neighbour to go with its groceries and home supplies: a new jail.

The Ministry of Community Safety and Correctional Services announced Friday that its preferred location for the new South West Detention Centre, a 315-bed facility to house male and female inmates in the Windsor area, is north of Highway 401 and east of Walker Road.

Mayor Eddie Francis, however, was quick to question the long-awaited announcement.

"There is no question that a new facility is required," Francis said. "So we welcome that there's going to be a new facility. But from a policing perspective, we had recommended another site."

Francis said the city had suggested the Brighton Beach industrial area near the Detroit River since it's closer to the courts and in a less commercial area - which might make for easier transportation of detainees back and forth.

"From a logistics perspective there are better locations than to pop it into a heavy commercial area like that," said Francis, chairman of the Windsor Police Services board.

"It's going to cause problems for us and it's going to come at a cost. From a police perspective, we prefer a more direct route."

The site selection is not yet final and must clear an environmental assessment process, including public information sessions, starting in November.

But local MPP Sandra Pupatello (L - Windsor West) called the site the best choice, considering many complex criteria, and noted that any site not next door to the courthouse would have transportation costs.

"Looking at where it could go, there are many considerations for a jail," said Pupatello, who has worked to land Windsor a new jail for a decade. "When we first talked about a new jail way back when, I suggested Brighton Beach as a potential for the ministry.

"But when they got into the details, they realized the site would have been far more costly for the province because the site the mayor was offering had no service - and the cost to service it was much more substantial than other suitable sites."

Pupatello said the main goal is to build a new facility that will bring jobs to the region and will provide better working conditions for jail staff and living conditions for inmates who are currently stuffed into an overcrowded facility in the west end.

"It's great news," Pupatello said. "We need to get it out of the community where it's surrounded by residential houses. We're in an overcrowded, aged facility today, which makes it unsafe for the workers and unsafe for the people who are in jail.

"The new facility will be state-of-the- art."

The ministry says construction will translate into $30 million in salaries for about 150 Windsor-area construction workers, though no overall price tag has been given since the project still has to be tendered.

Construction of the South West Detention Centre should start in mid-2010. Phased-in occupancy of the facility will begin by the fall of 2012, while Windsor Jail is expected to close by the end of 2013.

The building will use "detention-grade construction," according to a ministry release, and will feature a high-resolution video surveillance system, touch-screen security control and contraband-detection technology.

Paul Petroni, president of CUPE union Local 135, which represents more than 110 jail staff members, welcomed the news - especially since the McGuinty government first committed to a new Windsor jail in 2005.

"The morale is up today and everybody is very excited," Petroni said. "We're just looking forward to getting a shovel in the ground and getting more information."

Windsor Jail was built in 1925 and was designed for 80 inmates, Petroni said. Though it was retrofitted for up to 130 inmates, he said it regularly houses between 160 and 180 - and that at times it overflows with more than 200.

Petroni predicts that not only will the new facility be safer for workers and inmates, but that it will end up keeping criminals in jail longer.

As a provincial correctional facility, inmates serve sentences of up to two years there, or spend time awaiting trial or transfers to penitentiaries.

Given Windsor Jail's notoriously poor conditions, judges often award criminals two-for-one time - and even three-for-one time - for the period incarcerated there.

"That practice will be done altogether," Petroni predicted. "They'll have to do more of their time behind bars now."

© The Windsor Star 2008


Here is a conceptual drawing of the proposed building:


http://i43.photobucket.com/albums/e379/cujo8400/WJCD.jpg

[Border City Boy]

Negative.

The TD is being built by Petretta Construction, not Mikail Holdings.

That Mikail concept is for the parking lot south of Wooley Bulley's.

I sadly don't have a copy of the rendering, I saw it in a meeting. But I assure you it's 4 or 5 floors. A Green Glass box, bank on the ground floor, offices above.

[westerntragedy]

Yep, the TD box sounds pitiful. And even more pitiful is the ensuing battle AGAINST using the Royal Bank facade. No room for adaptive reuse in this city, I guess.

[jodelli]

I sadly don't have a copy of the rendering, I saw it in a meeting. But I assure you it's 4 or 5 floors. A Green Glass box, bank on the ground floor, offices above.

June 2008:
A development might be on the same scale as the newer Royal Bank building on the Kresge site, which is not a tower. .

That's what I figured, and will track down a rendering if I can.

[FALLSVIEW]

Does anyone have any interior images of the new WFCU arena, I'm dying to see how it looks. Safe to say it will be the nicest arena in the O next to the JLC!

[jodelli]

^^^I'll have some of the interior by December, some more of the outside by Saturday.

[arnold]

dear god... i hate to chime in with such negative comments, but those two renderings are simply awful... probably the most dated buildings i've seen in years. ugh...
i really, really, really hope that neither of them are finalized yet.

and what's the story with the second, shorter rendering? is something going in on that empty lot just south ofthe CIBC building?

and finally, its sad that patrick o'ryans is closing down. i had a lot of really good times in that place...

[jodelli]

and finally, its sad that patrick o'ryans is closing down. i had a lot of really good times in that place...

I agree about O'Ryan's. That was one of the nicer additions to downtown.
From the east:
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2309/2231007095_48554e5cbb_b.jpg
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3164/2540250845_76fabb3560_o.jpg

Here's what the WFCU centre looked like Saturday:
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3015/2914456373_573ab2cc23_b.jpg
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3161/2915373662_4245a7b65a_b.jpg

[arnold]

as for o'ryans, its also kind of sad to see one of DT windsor's few remaining old, brick facades dissapear.
oh, and whoever stuccoed dean martinis' that awful olive colour should be sent to jail.

[y2k_pony]

oh, and whoever stuccoed dean martinis' that awful olive colour should be sent to jail.


It's actually painted dark red now.

[Border City Boy]

If I was Mayor, I would ban all use of Stucco inside city limits. Nothing looks cheaper or crappier.

[arnold]

^
you would have my vote...

[Carlos_x3]

Tourism summit coming to Windsor
The Windsor Star: Friday, October 17, 2008

The city might not be overrun by camera-toting visitors looking lost in Madras shirts when the casino hosts next year's Ontario Tourism Summit, but industry reps say the event will provide the city an economic benefit and an enhanced profile.

As many as 500 tourism industry players are expected to drop as much as $600,000 in the local economy when they descend on Caesars Windsor for the conference, which runs from Sept. 29 to Oct. 1.

Broader benefits will accrue from showcasing the size and versatility of Caesars' new convention centre to tourism officials and planners, said Gordon Orr, director of the local convention and visitors bureau.

Orr said Windsor beat out Hamilton and London for the right to host this conference, indicating the casino expansion and Caesars brand have put Windsor back in the game.

"It shows now that we have the convention infrastructure that can compete when we're going after major conferences," said Orr. "We've got a great story to tell and that story is the new tourism product at Caesars Windsor."

Casino spokeswoman Holly Ward called the tourism summit "great news" and said that the casino was already taking conference bookings past 2011.

The Canadian Urban Transit Association has a conference there in November and the Canadian Gaming Summit will be held at the casino in April.

Organizers are attracted to the signature venue because of Caesars' quality reputation and because the facility is the largest casino resort in Canada, added Ward.

The tourism summit will bring industry players together to discuss the latest trends and marketing initiatives at a time when the U.S.-based tourism crucial to this region is in decline.

U.S. residents took just over 1.7 million overnight trip to Canada in the first quarter of this year, down 3.6 per cent from the same period last year, according to Statistics Canada.

Americans made one million overnight car trips to Canada in the first quarter of 2008 - a 3.4 per cent drop over last year - and American tourists spent $866 million over the same period, down 6.6 per cent from the first quarter of 2007.

[MrChills]

What are they doing with the Patrick O'Ryan's building? I lived in Windsor for about three years and was one of my favorites watering holes. Seems like every live music venue is being shut down (since I've left, they lost Car Hole Tavern, Sky Lounge, Avalon and now O'Ryans) :(

[y2k_pony]

^ They are tearing it down to make a new td bank building. I agree it is a good place to go and have a beer. It will be missed. Atleast the parking lot next to it will be replaced with a building though.. I hate parking lots in city core's!!

[OhioGuy]

WFCU Centre is looking good from the outside. Exciting to see it nearly finished. Are the seats installed yet?

[y2k_pony]

WFCU Centre is looking good from the outside. Exciting to see it nearly finished. Are the seats installed yet?

yup, all the seats are in. I know that some of the smaller ice pads are now active and people are coming out to watch their kids. The main pad for the spitfires is still not open yet.

In other news.... Patrick O'Ryans is now closed. I assume we will be seeing some demolition crews around the site soon to start on the new TD building.

[Carlos_x3]

Anybody else besides me glad that Walker rd has finally opened? I go through there daily and there's still back ups due to the single lane opened south of the intersection going south. But wow it looks great :tup:

[JBinCalgary]

wfcu center looks great

[westerntragedy]

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3198/3098728980_4f2216673a_b.jpg (http://community.livejournal.com/windsor_visuals/73771.html)

It's finally done! The WFCU Centre, well, officially opens tomorrow with the first Spits game there. Been one helluva construction project.

More photos from the inside here if you're interested:
http://www.windsorvisuals.com/73771.html


.

[flar]

What's the capacity of the new arena?
It looks good.

[T.O. Butter]

The capacity is around 6500. I think

[Carlos_x3]

6800 for hockey games. More for concerts.

[Masonjar]

The Mady Corporation who built The Gates of Glengarda project in Windsor is planning a project up here in Waterloo. I'm wondering if any of you folks from Windsor have any direct experience with this developer or project that you could share.

[OhioGuy]

The WFCU looks very nice. The only negative is that it's not downtown. Considering some of the top American & Canadian figure skaters train in the Detroit area, I would think at some point in the next few years Skate Canada will hold an event at WFCU. It should be able to draw a decent crowd. I know I'll be there if/when such an event is held.

[Border City Boy]

Masonjar - Through the Heritage side of things, I've had several negative experiences with Mady Corp. What are they building, and more importantly what are they tearing down to build it? :)

By the way tonight's council agenda has renderings of the downtown TD Bank. Think of a 3 story version of the new TD in the Home Depot plaza on Walker Road....

http://www.internationalmetropolis.com/images/2009/120g.jpg

http://www.internationalmetropolis.com/images/2009/120h.jpg

http://www.internationalmetropolis.com/images/2009/120i.jpg

[Blitz]

Here's another rendering of the new downtown TD Bank

http://i40.photobucket.com/albums/e211/mark_81/tdbank.jpg

[Windsor Warrior]

Does anyone know what is happening with the Spitfire & Firkin or the Hotel/Open Market in the Tecumseh/Banwell Area? The signs have been posted but no activity...

I am assuming it is on hold, but any information would be appreciated.

Thanks,

[Blitz]

The hotel complex is on hold...Marriott is scouting out other locations closer to the arena. Once the Lear plant is out of the way, there'll be lots of open land available. Not sure what's going on with the S&F.

[LMich]

Not sure if this is the right place to ask this, but how close are Windsor's passenger railway and bus stations, and are their any plans (even distant) for an intermodal facility for the city to house both Transit Windsor and VIA Rail? It'd be awesome if when Detroit gets its regional transit authority running smoothly and its intermodal facility up an running (which is planned, and only needs funds to get it started) in New Center that Windsor would aslo have an intermodal facility ready to coordinate some operations to make a relatively seamless transition between the two countries. Currently on the Detroit side, if you're looking to link up to Via Rail from Amtrak, it looks rather complicated.

[Blitz]

It sounds like Via Rail is going to be rebuilding Windsor's train station (finally!) in the same location as it is currently (Walker Rd. and Riverside Dr.). Transit Windsor and Greyhound got together and just completed building the new downtown bus terminal last year so that's not going anywhere. (It's located at Church St. and Chatham St.) The bus station and train station are about 2 km apart.

There was talk in the past about building the new rail station along the tracks at Wellington Ave (near the current underwater rail tunnel) but I haven't heard much about that lately.

[y2k_pony]

Anybody have any pics of the construction on the TD building on Ouellette ave? Have they torn down the old buildings yet?

[tbirdskelding]

From what i seen, They are prepping for the new bank, All the old buidings are out of the way, including the last part of the old manning house from the 1800's

[yupislyr]

Anybody have any pics of the construction on the TD building on Ouellette ave? Have they torn down the old buildings yet?

No pics but as noted in the previous post, all the buildings are gone. They're doing foundation work or whatever as last I saw, the site is a rather large hole in the ground.

[Blitz]

Here's a drawing of the new engineering building at the University of Windsor. It'll be built at the corner of Wyandotte Street and California Avenue.

http://i40.photobucket.com/albums/e211/mark_81/engschool.jpg

[Border City Boy]

Blitz - I hope that's what's built. ^^^

[Blitz]

I thought it was supposed to have a green roof but I don't see much of one there.