'More people, more businesses': Many back revitalization plan
Rhys Trenhaile has faith city council will push the Strengthen the Core plan through on May 13, “You would hope it's a no-brainer.”
Part of the plan to revitalize downtown Windsor includes enforcing property standards and filling vacant buildings.
“We all need a thriving downtown,” said entrepreneur Ray Blanchard. “It is the centre of the city and it's exactly what people see when they come and go from Detroit.”
Downtown BIA Chair Chris McLeod feels people can fix downtown, “More people, more businesses. More businesses, more people.”
To attract more people, the city is looking at offering financial incentives to existing and prospective business owners, increase financial penalties for unkept properties, and appoint a dedicated by-law property standards enforcement officer in Ward 3.
“If we're going to look at behaviour downtown, we're going to say, ‘You know what, we're going to get what we tolerate.’ That's on the human behaviour side but it's also on the property standard side,” said Mayor Drew Dilkens.
Urban development is an important part of strengthening the core and there are a lot of projects on the go or in the works with that in mind. The city is exploring the possibility of a public list of properties that have orders against them and making the grant application an easier process.
“If we want investors to put their hard earned money into downtown, we need to not have their money at risk like it is today. This program is about changing the risk/reward downtown,” McLeod said.
Trenhaile is working on bringing more people to the core through various projects, “Having permanent police presence dedicated to the downtown core, it works hand in hand, especially with all the security they're announcing. Perfect. It's like peanut butter and jelly.”
Dilkens added, “We can't see the success we hope to see unless we move forward in a way that looks at the human behaviours, looks at the building enforcement and by-law standards that we have and look at how we can make a difference to strengthen the core. That's what this is all about.”
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
'Decades-long fight': MPs unanimously pass 'anti-scab' legislation
A bill that would ban federal employers from using replacement workers or 'scabs' during lockouts or strikes passed the House of Commons unanimously on Monday.
Mike Tyson had medical issue on cross-country flight
Boxing legend Mike Tyson required medical attention after experiencing an 'ulcer flare up' toward the end of a cross-country flight Sunday, his representatives confirmed to the New York Post.
Why Canada's big grocery stores are under investigation
Amid mounting outrage over high grocery prices, a retail expert says there's a solution to fostering more competition in the country.
Netanyahu acknowledges 'tragic mistake' after Rafah strike kills dozens of Palestinians
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu acknowledged Monday that a "tragic mistake" had been made after an Israeli strike in the southern Gaza city of Rafah set fire to a tent camp housing displaced Palestinians and, according to local officials, killed at least 45 people.
Arrests made in 'highly orchestrated' GTA auto theft operation: police
Peel Regional Police say they have arrested 16 suspects and issued arrest warrant for another 10 individuals in connection with an auto theft investigation carried out by a 'highly orchestrated criminal operation.'
Cattle rustling comes to Quebec as police investigate suspected theft of entire herd
Quebec provincial police are investigating after an entire herd of about 75 cattle were allegedly stolen in the Eastern Townships region last week.
B.C. senior prepares to move due to devastating effects of fraud
A Courtenay, B.C., senior is downsizing and packing to move as she comes to accept she can no longer afford to stay in her home, after falling victim to a scam that robbed her of her life savings worth more than $100,000.
Canada pledges visas for 5,000 Gaza residents related to Canadians
Canada said on Monday it would grant temporary visas to 5,000 Gaza residents under a special program for Canadians' relatives living in the war-torn enclave, a preparatory move in case they are able to leave in the future.
Indigo Books & Music shareholders vote to approve privatization sale
Indigo Books & Music Inc. shareholders have voted to approve a deal that will see the retailer become a private company.