Extended Patios, Sidewalk Sales And Street Closures Coming To Downtown Windsor

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File photo of a street closure in Downtown Windsor.

The Downtown Windsor Business Improvement Association has big plans this summer.

Now that the region has moved into Stage Two, downtown is planning street closures, extended patios and sidewalk sales.

This all comes after city council on Thursday approved a streamlined process to allow both licensed and non-licensed establishments to serve customers on outdoor patios.

The city’s decision includes a waiver of the deposit fee, a waiver of the application fee, a reduction in the amount of insurance liability required, as well as that applications be expedited and approved as quickly as process.

“We are thrilled to have the city’s support behind small businesses in downtown Windsor,” says DWBIA Chair Brian Yeomans. “These expedited processes will allow our restaurant and cafe owners to begin their economic recovery from three months of essential shutdown.”

The city will also permit any non-licensed establishments or retail businesses to use the sidewalk space in front of their locations for cafe-style seating or sidewalk-sale style tables.

The city has promised to work with the DWBIA and downtown establishments to facilitate safe road closures. The DWBIA is presenting proposals for extending patio seating into curb lanes where possible to the city in the coming weeks.

The city has also committed to evaluating extended patio construction proposals for four downtown businesses for the season, including proposals for built patios at Pitt Street East, Pelissier Street at University Avenue, Chatham Street East at Ouellette Avenue and Ouellette Avenue and Wyandotte Street.

“This is a game changer for us,” says Renaldo Agostino, owner of Element Entertainment at Ouellette Ave and University Ave. “We pivoted as best we could during the spring, but after months of limbo, we’re looking forward to seeing our customers again.”

The first street closure is planned for Canada Day. You can find much more information on their Facebook Event Page.