Catalysts for growth spur investments in Windsor
A London based-developer is planning for a number of projects in Windsor, including a 28-storey apartment building downtown.
“You're gonna see there about a $100-million development,” Shmuel Farhi told CTV News.
On Monday, city council approved the first phase of the 166-unit building slated for the west side of Janette at Riverside Drive.
“That's going to be the first tower of two and we are very looking forward to build on the Docherty Hole finally and do something good there,” said the founder of Farhi Holdings, who explained The Docherty Hole project could involve the library, St. Clair College and a community centre.
Farhi was in Windsor Tuesday to show off the newly renovated DoubleTree by Hilton, a $25-million dollar investment.
“You're looking at major, major developments for downtown and that's people. That's families. That's residents. That's people who are going to enjoy all of the amenities of downtown,” said Ward 3 city councillor Renaldo Agostino
Farhi Holdings is also developing land near the WFCU Centre and has plans to build on farm land near the new acute care hospital in the future.
Farhi anticipates once he is done downtown the time will be right to shift his attention to Country Road 42 where he owns 53 acres of land including 18 acres on the west side of Concession 9, across the street from the future home of the acute care hospital.
The company's website shows 500,000 square-feet will be transformed into mixed used development: commercial, retail, office and hospitality development.
“We have about half a dozen hoteliers that would love to be there,” said Farhi.
Ward 9 city councilor Kieren Mckenzie is guarding his excitement saying the catalysts for growth, including the EV battery plant have challenges like servicing and infrastructure requirements.
“As a city we need to prepare and assemble the lands that will be able to accommodate those kinds of investments,” he said. “We need to make investments in the roadway infrastructure that’s gonna be able to accommodate the traffic volume.”
McKenzie puts all of those issues in the “good problems to have” basket. He’s excited investors are attracted to the city.
“We need to make sure we're doing the things we need to do to accommodate those investments not just for the investors themselves but for all of the people that are going be affected by those investments locating in this part of our community.”
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
BREAKING NDP motion regarding Palestinian statehood passes after major Liberal alterations
A motion from the federal New Democrats initially calling on Canada to recognize the 'State of Palestine' passed amid widespread acrimony on Monday, after the Liberals drastically altered its wording to see the government simply work towards that aim as part of a two-state solution.
'He didn't want to die': Family of Calgary man killed in standoff speaks out
Family of a Calgary man killed after a 30-hour standoff with police last week are speaking out, sharing details of the tense and heart-wrenching experience.
Toronto family doctor who called patient's body 'perfect' suspended for 3 months: tribunal
A family doctor in Toronto has been suspended for three months after a disciplinary tribunal found that he failed to follow proper protocols while examining a patient's breasts and made inappropriate comments about her body.
Ohio mom who left toddler alone 10 days when she went on vacation pleads guilty to aggravated murder
An Ohio mother whose 16-month-old daughter died after being left home alone in a playpen for 10 days last summer while she went on vacation was sentenced Monday to life in prison with no chance of parole.
Retired teacher pleads guilty to paying for sex with 15-year-old in Collingwood, Ont.
In a Barrie courtroom on Monday, a retired high school teacher from the Niagara Region pleaded guilty to sexual touching and obtaining sexual services from a 15-year-old boy in Collingwood in 2021.
Hertz CEO out following electric car 'horror show'
The company, which announced in January it was selling 20,000 of the electric vehicles in its fleet, or about a third of the EVs it owned, is now replacing the CEO who helped build up that fleet, giving it the company’s fifth boss in just four years.
5 charged in Calgary kidnappings that targeted women
Calgary police have charged five men in a pair of kidnappings last year that targeted innocent victims.
Demand soars for solar eclipse glasses in Canada. Are they worth buying?
The demand for total solar eclipse glasses used to safely view the rare celestial event has been ramping up as sellers, along with astronomy and eye-care experts in Canada, warn that viewing the eclipse with the naked eye is dangerous.
Canadian commander of volunteer fighter group dies in Ukraine
A Canadian-born commander of the so-called Norman Brigade, a volunteer fighting group in Ukraine, has died.