Windsor City Council has approved the tender to remove retail from the ground floor of the Pelissier St. parking garage, despite higher than estimated costs.
Many proponents of retail space hoped the higher costs would cause councillors to change their minds. Over a dozen delegates implored councillors to keep the retail space or sell the garage to a private owner.
Downtown Windsor BIA Chair Larry Horwitz says he is extremely disappointed with the decision, which was made during Tuesday night's council meeting.
"It's a shame, it's a bad, bad decision that's going to take 20 years to re-work," says Horwitz.
The negotiated tender price is $723,500 for similar work but with a longer work period. Original estimates to convert the space were at $507,000.
Council voted 6-4 in favour of the tender. Ward 3 Councillor Rino Bortolin put forward a motion to note and file the tender and begin leasing the retail space again but it was defeated.
As part of second motion, Councillor Joanne Gignac put forward a motion to put out an expression of interest to fill retail space in the Goyeau parking garage. The motion passed unanimously.
