Francis Presents Plan For Additional $34.5 Million In Improvements To Windsor

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Mayor Eddie Francis has begun planning for future improvements to Windsor through the year 2020.

During a budget presentation this afternoon, Francis announced a number of projects that are ‘placeholders’ for future improvement, pending approval by City Council.

$34.5 million is included in the plan to fund additional projects between 2014 and 2019:

• Completing remaining streetscaping in Downtown Windsor ($3.6m)
• Road repairs to Pillette Road between Seminole and Tecumseh ($1.3m)
• Road repairs to Seminole between George and Pillette ($590k)
• Road repairs to Tecumseh East between Forest Glade and Robinet ($1.2m)
• Road repairs to Tecumseh East between Pillette and Walker ($972k)
• Removal of VIA Rail tracks at Devonshire and Riverside ($390k)
• Improvements to the Walkerville BIA ($550k)
• Road repairs to Wyandotte between Gladstone and Devonshire ($500k)
• Road repairs to Wyandotte between Cadillac and George ($1.5m)
• Repairs and streetscaping in Wyandotte East’s medians ($520k)
• A sign for the WFCU Centre near Lauzon Parkway, new sound and lighting for the Windsor Spitfires ($600k)
• A tunnel leading to the Family Aquatic Centre from the Riverfront trail ($2m)
• Relocation of Oakwood community centre ($1m)
• Capital improvements to the Windsor science centre ($500k)
• New Emergency Operations Centre, possibly at the airport ($1.5m)

In addition to the plan, the mayor also earmarked $17.7 million for a variety of economic development improvements, special events and financing contingencies.

In terms of planning for the years 2018 to 2020, Francis presented a plan that would involve moving the University of Windsor’s School of Law to downtown’s Paul Martin Federal Building.

By utilizing the City’s “Debt Reduction Levy”, Francis asked councillors to earmark $20.99m for projects in 2018 including $5.4m in road rehabilitation, $4m for Transit Windsor buses, $2m for accessible playgrounds, infrastructure improvements to University Avenue at a cost of $5m and $2.3m for the City’s Central Riverfront Improvement Plan.

Each of the planned improvements are still up for debate, and are subject to approval by City Councillors.