Retail space will remain on the ground floor of the parking garage on Pelissier St. after a lengthy debate by Windsor City Council.
"That huge area will not be a hole downtown, it will not be a place where people can create havoc. It will be a vibrant pedestrian oriented area," said Larry Horwitz who submitted a proposal under Horwitz Holdings. In a 6-5 vote councillors directed administration to work with the proponents who submitted proposals to negotiate a possible agreement moving forward.
The space has sat empty for a number of years because of the repairs needed to fix the water and mold issues in the units. Administration recommended converting the units back into parking spaces as they estimated it would cost $1.8-million to make the units ready to lease.
Both proponents who came forward estimated they could do the same work for no more than $300,000-$400,000. Many councillors noted finances as well as the need for more downtown parking and the number of vacant storefronts as reasons to convert the space back to parking. But proponent Rhys Trenhaile says the city should be concerned with giving people a reason to park not about providing enough parking. "Cities always focus on livability first, walkability first in a downtown urban core, fortunately enough city councillors voted in that way today because they believed in that," said Trenhaile.
There were two proposals submitted during the expression of interest period set by the city but if they are unable to reach an agreement with either other proposals can still be considered.
