DOWNTOWN WINDSOR NEWS
UPCOMING EVENTS
May 21, 2009 - What's New at the DWBIA... Streetscaping: Phase Three
Streetscaping project aims to make downtown more attractive to daytime visitors and new businesses
By Karen Ashford, Communications Intern
The City of Windsor, in partnership with the Downtown Windsor Business Improvement Association, has approved funding for the design and construction of the Downtown Utilities and Streetscaping Improvement Project.
Phase three of the five-phase streetscaping project, aimed to upgrade and modernize utilities and the streetscape of the downtown Windsor core, began last month on Ouellette Avenue between Park Street and Wyandotte Street.
"This project will modernize downtown Windsor and make it more attractive to visitors and businesses thinking of opening in our downtown core," said Chris Edwards, Executive Director of the Downtown Windsor Business Improvement Association.
Streetscaping improvements will include crosswalks, on-street parking spaces, sidewalks and curbs, roadway and pedestrian lighting, street trees and plantings, street furniture, orientation signs and traffic lights. As well, there will be a Bangladesh Peace Clock put on the corner of Wyandotte Street and Ouellette Avenue.
With ongoing construction, Ouellette Avenue between Park and Wyandotte will be closed to vehicular traffic until September 15th. Holiday Inn parking and sidewalks for pedestrian traffic will remain open at all times during the construction period.
"There are a number of strategically placed signs indicating that businesses will remain open during the construction period," explained Edwards. "We are doing everything we can to ensure that business continues normally for our members," he said.
The sidewalks, streets and infrastructure on Ouellette Avenue have not been upgraded for more than 25 years. The crumbling curbs and sidewalks are evidence of the urgency and necessity of the streetscaping project.
Streetscaping will help attract more daytime visitors and make downtown Windsor more appealing to new businesses. For current business owners, there will be improved accessibility to stores with new sidewalks and parking, better visibility and enhanced security from new light poles. A more aesthetically pleasing downtown with hanging baskets, new planter boxes, bike racks, garbage cans, ash urns and benches.
"This project will have a positive impact on downtown Windsor," Edwards said. "Both future and current business owners, residents and people who work, visit and shop in downtown Windsor will benefit from this project," he said.
These past few weeks, Ouellette Avenue has been dug out in order to fix the water mains and other infrastructure, which makes the road closure inevitable. The Downtown Business Improvement Association will continue to do everything possible to ensure that this construction period runs as efficiently and smoothly as possible.
If you would like to receive updates on the streetscaping project, which will include an outline of the work that will be completed the following week, please send us your email address and we will add you to the electronic mailing list.
If you have any questions, please contact the city by phoning 311 or call the DWBIA office at (519) 252-5723.
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