The Glengarry-Marentette Waterfront Village Project

Owen Wolter

Mon May 25, 2009 @ 2:05am

Back in 2003, the City of Windsor completed a study with the intent to improve the area EAST of Casino Windsor, which has become a “parking ghetto”, full of burned out houses that have recently caught on fire. City Council is set to approve a plan tonight to de-ghettoize the parking wasteland that the area has evolved into. This is an interesting first step toward actually transforming the area into something attractive.

If you’re not familiar with how bad the area is, let me show you. Remember, this is a stone’s throw from downtown…

There are several incredibly burned out houses in the area. This one, on Louis avenue, caught on fire years ago and has been sitting in deplorable conditions ever since.

Burned out and boarded up townhomes.

Another burned out house in an alley between University and Chatham streets. Lots of drug paraphernalia in this area.

The view from Aylmer Avenue, one of the major South-North thoroughfares in the area east of the casino.

A cute house, one of few still in decent shape in the area. Aptly addressed “666″ considering the destructive conditions of the neighbourhood.

There is plenty of undeveloped land in the area too.

Now, the plan drawn up in 2003 includes a number of great recommendations:

– create a “Waterfront Village” area with streetscaping down Louis Avenue
– re-establish linkages to the riverfront, Wyandotte commercial area and the City Centre to counteract the imposing separation and isolation by the Casino complex
– area should have a good mix of residential, commercial, and recreational uses to facilitate pedestrian traffic
– create visually appealing street facades along Theme Streets – Glengarry & Aylmer (Civic Ways), Riverside Drive (Scenic Drive), Louis Ave. & Chatham E. are needed.
– use Residential Rehabilitation Assistance Program funds to help property owners redevelop the area
– create streetscaping with coloured concrete with pattern, decorative lights and banners, optional bench and shade trees
– encourage shops and services at street level, lively street life

But none of these recommendations have seen the light since the study came out in 2003. Fortunately, progress is finally being made. Tonight at City Council, the Planning Advisory Committee will ask the city to approve a plan to force owners of illegal parking lots next to the Casino (grass and mud lots) to pave, or pack up shop – within one year. The paving requirements also include decorative stone pillars and fences around parking lots, in order to better match with the downtown area.

Hopefully this is a good first step toward transforming the Glengarry-Marentette area, so that scenes like the one above, become a thing of the past!!

Darren over at Photo404 has a post about the abandoned structures too.

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anonymous

That house is just across of apartment where I live. As I understand landlord of the house recently passed away and this house will be destroyed.

Count that 2 blocks of Chatham east; starting from casino going east should be totally changed. In these 2 blocks there is hardly 10 houses and one small resident building
anonymous

This is a lesson on how “NOT” to leverage and build an Icon like the Casino/Arena/Conference Center

Had Council acted on the CIP, could they have maybe lured casino workers to live in this area???? If they had offered developers incentives to repair, upgrade, develop the properties in this area. Incentives to Demolish ones that are beyond help and make the land “shovel ready”. Tie it in with a marketing campaign directed at new employees to The Casino and the Canderell bldg (remember this was back when there were new employees to the bldg) and residents new to Windsor. Imagine the possibilities.

Now we have the same issues to deal with at the Canal Plan. Is the Canal Plan going to be discussed in a bubble or will it be discussed as part of an overarching strategy that includes areas like Glengarry Marentette. Its not too late, the longer we delay the more difficult it will be to bring back.

Areas adjacent to downtown are just as important to downtown’s survival and
anonymous

In the Zone F there is a community building. Do you know what kind of building is that. I live close, well I can see it every day, but doesn’t look to me like residential building.

Do you have any idea what kind of building is that (There is no name or anything on that, except a strange sign on entrance of building) ?
westerntragedy

That is Hiatus House, shelter for women
anonymous

Oh…ok

Thank you
jaleco

I really hope this comes to pass. If this becomes a success maybe we can save the west end before it becomes a super ghetto.

4 years ago the areas near Mill/Felix/College were pretty nice, families lived there, the houses were in use. I’ve come back to that area to work and was shocked to see almost every house is boarded up, some burned. hardly anyone lives there anymore… But it’s still a pretty decent looking neighbourhood right now… it won’t take long for that to change… Also seeing an abandoned apartment complex (not a little one either) was probably the creepiest thing ever.

I was losing hope in Windsor, but maybe I don’t need to… yet.
anonymous

there is no name so it protects the women and children that seek shelter from abusive men. well, i’m sure most know what it is – at least it does have a secured entrance…
anonymous

I’m in Windsor last 8 years, since I came to Canada. I’m pretty sure there are better cities through Canada, but what is point of leaving. I’m not native of Windsor, but I’m ready to fight for it like it is my birthplace.

There is something that bugs me. On the Walk for Creative City I have seen a lot photographs and video enthusiasts and later on I have read on different blogs their points and so so…There is huge potential in all of you (us). We take almost daily photographs of Windsor, we should start taking initiative and work something out.

I’ll give you example. Try to find, what could you visit in Windsor (meaning you are visitor).You will have to go through at least 10 brochures/pamphlets just to put partial picture in front of you. As citizens of this city we have to present our city with optimism. There is a saying: ‘Be change you want to see in the world’. That is signature in my email. I have to admit that is not easy, but I still fight, and I’m not giving up.
http://www.facebook.com/zsoldat Zee Zelimir Soldat

The townhouses shown in this post have seen some activity last 2 days, and this morning Metal fence have been placed around these 2 building. I didn't see my landlord, but I'm pretty sure he knows what is going on. I hope these buildings are going down :). Unfortunately I get rid off my camera so I can't send you any pictures.
ravenswift

Hmmm, thanks for the tip. I'll have to go by there and check it out.
http://www.facebook.com/zsoldat Zee Zelimir Soldat

No problem anytime. It seems that could be more activity in this area, than I hoped for. I have seen more officials of City in last 2 days in this area, than in last 2 years. I hope they will finally start with clean up, before all this area turn to parking lots.
http://www.podsiljak.com Zee

The house on 127 Louis Ave was demolished today May 3,2010. I really have to get camera before they continue with demolishing buildings in this area :)
holly

I find it kind of funny that the city wants the owners of the illegal parking lots to close up shop unless they pave the lots and put in pillars! They own two of the lots across from the Employee entrance at the Casino neither of which are paved or have pillars, but you still have to pay to use them.
Zelimir

So called “double standard”
http://www.facebook.com/#!/profile.php?id=750301112 Gavin

I have always thought parking for the casino is lunacy; whether you stay and play there, or work there. Strange routing for the guests. Inadequate parking for major events and shows. Off-site parking for most employees, with city-operated shuttle buses which do not link to the transit terminal. Then you have the low-quality private lots across the street, mentioned above. Lunacy. It really is. Someone needs to sort out the problems.

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