Sunset Avenue to Close to Cars, Plans Laid Out for Next 50 Years at University of Windsor

The University of Windsor is planning to transform Sunset Avenue into a “pedestrian esplanade” and has laid out a vision for the next fifty years.

University President Alan Wildeman announced the ambitious plan at a public open house, held Wednesday night at the CAW Student Centre on campus.

The two-stage plan is already well-underway on campus and has included the construction of the Centre for Engineering Innovation and what is being called the “School of Creative Innovation” — the University’s new downtown campus.

Wildeman spelled out that the University, nearly in its 50th year (not counting its history shared with Assumption University), has been in need of a major transformation for some time and these changes will aid the University in remaining competitive with other post secondary institutions across campus.

Changes planned between 2012 and 2062 include:

• Developing the “School of Creative Innovation” downtown campus to house the schools of Social Work, Music and Arts
• Construction of the Ed Lumley Centre for Engineering Innovation with revolutionary features such as a mini assembly line, a “strong wall” for civil engineering experiments
• Expanding the international student presence at the University of Windsor
• The creation of a “Welcome Centre” that aids students from recruitment to registration, graduation and alumni affairs
• The closure of Sunset Avenue between Wyandotte Street and Fanchette to vehicle traffic in Summer 2013 and transformation into a pedestrian thoroughfare complete with benches, street furniture, extensive landscaping and green elements
• The expansion of the Odette School of Business into space currently occupied by the Bookstore to create space to foster entrepreneurship and innovation and classrooms to improve the “Odette Experience”
• One building to consolidate and house all student services – Memorial Hall
• Renovations to the west building of the Leddy Library
• An expansion to the Law building as the program is outgrowing its walls
• A massive renovation to Essex Hall to bring laboratories into the 21st century
• Major updates to the St. Denis Centre to support Varsity athletics

You can read more about the University’s Capital Transformation Plan at UWindsor.ca.

Downtown Bus Terminal – School of Film

Odette School of Business expansion

Odette School of Business expansion