Windsor City Council will consider three new community improvement plan (CIP) applications at the January 30, 2023, meeting of Council that would, if approved, see new investments undertaken to create jobs, build residential housing units and invest in the local hospitality industry.
Heimat Windsor Banquet Centre, located in the heart of the Ford City business improvement area (BIA), has applied for nearly $32,000 in grants through the Main Streets CIP and Ford City CIP programs. Funds would go towards replacement, restoration and beautification improvements to the exterior of the building. The municipal contribution would help leverage over $113,000 in private sector investments in this facility to improve the exterior of the building and the open space seating area.
A significant development proposal has been made to construct two twenty-storey mixed-use buildings (connected by a common podium) on a vacant site at the intersection of Goyeau Street and Elliot Street East in downtown Windsor. The ground floor would contain over 5,000 square feet of commercial space, and the towers would contain over 540 new residential dwellings. While this proposal is currently seeking site plan approval, administration is recommending that the development group be awarded funds through the Brownfield Rehabilitation Grant Program to undertake works associated with soil and groundwater standards, anticipated to cost about $62,000. Moving forward on this CIP application would help unlock millions of dollars in investment and increase the availability of urban housing stock in Windsor.
In 2022, the City of Windsor signed a letter of intent with Dongshin Motech (DS C&K), a major parts supplier for the NextStar Energy electric vehicle (EV) battery plant. Through the Economic Revitalization CIP program, DS C&K would be eligible for an estimated total grant value of approximately $2.7 million as part of their plan to invest over $32.million towards the construction of their manufacturing facility near Windsor International Airport. When complete, this plant will be a key supplier of aluminum casings to the NextStar Energy EV battery plant and create over 200 new local jobs.
Quotes:
“Our CIP program is working to drive investment in every corner of the city of Windsor. New residential units downtown, new jobs in the EV battery supply chain sector and investments in historic Ford City businesses are all part of our Windsor Works plan for jobs and growth. These strategic investments are delivering results for Windsor residents and businesses at a time of incredible promise and opportunity for our community.” – City of Windsor Mayor Drew Dilkens
“We are very pleased that the City of Windsor, through the CIP Grant Program, can show its support for this dynamic new sustainable green project for the downtown core of the city. This Brownfield Development Grant approval by City Council provides funding for our efforts to investigate and remove any hazardous material from the site to enable our project to proceed through the Site Plan Approval stage. We are very grateful for this ongoing support.” – Joseph Passa, OAA, MRAIC, LEED AP, PA Architects
“The CIP funding will allow us the opportunity to create a more approachable, recognizable and comfortable atmosphere in Ford City. Removing security bars and blocked-in windows and the addition of our sign are just a few of the items included in the full project. We are thankful to have the opportunity for this funding as well as our friends and family spending countless hours of their time helping where they could. We look forward to welcoming the community to our beautiful Bavarian inspired home.” – Ryan Stiller, Owner, Heimat Windsor Banquet Centre
“I’m excited and continue to be bullishly optimist about our downtown. The proposed Goyeau building will consist of over 5,000 square-feet of commercial space on the ground floor, and the two towers that will contain over 540 new residential dwellings. This is a great day for our city and our downtown.” – Councillor Renaldo Agostino, Ward 2
“The Heimat Windsor Banquet Centre is one of the spaces that makes Ford City and the broader community vibrant. I welcome this latest opportunity to celebrate investments in the ongoing renewal of Ford City in Ward 5. I am proud of the work the City and City Council continues to do here. These investments have real impacts on the people, families, businesses and community groups that are all working to build an even stronger Windsor.” – Councillor Ed Sleiman, Ward 5