Council to vote on plans for Riverfront Festival Plaza

Windsor city council is being asked to approve a plan on Monday that wouldfinalize the development of the Riverfront Festival Plaza.

A permanent stage was built there about ten years ago, and it overlooks an expanse of asphalt the size of a typical mall parking lot.

Changes to the plaza are pegged at a cost of between $5 million to $13 million.

"There's some challenges with the operations of festivals and other uses along the riverfront so council asked us to look at some of those challenges," said Jan Wilson, executive director of the city'sparks and recreation.

Wilson said a consultant, stakeholders, and public consultation have led to a "stunning plan" for the space.

One of the key changes would create a proper entry area at the east end of the plaza, so people are not coming in right beside the stage.

"That's an awkward area for people to come in where the performances are happening, plus it's a very narrow section, and so it's a challenging area," said Wilson. "We've had the Windsor River Cruises docked there, people trying to get on the boat, people were trying to get by on their bicycles or walkingand so it's just a very highly congested area."

The plan also looks at dividing the long area into sections or "nodes" that could accommodate a range of activities.

"You could have a festival that has multiple types of activitiesgoing on in these different sections," said Wilson.

A "transition" area will include some landscaping and allow for an area where tables could be brought in for a festival or for picnicuse when an event is not happening at the plaza.

"Our festivals all look different so we don't want to restrict what people do," said Wilson. "but we do want to introduce some greenery and landscaping so there might be some trees but they will have a high canopy so you can still see through the site."

Wilson said shade is much-needed for the open area.

Difference in cost

Council had already approved work to the retaining wall of the plaza that sits on Riverside Drive that would be the first step to any work, said Wilson. If council approves the plans,work needs to be done to finalized "detail drawings" of the plans.

"Then we would go from there working in and around the timing of the festivals that occur," said Wilson.

One model of the plaza design, made by Landmark Engineering Inc., costs roughly $5.5 million. Wilson explained that amount is for the items seen as "most critical" to addressing at the site like the retaining wall which costs $1.2 million.

Another critical element is the entrance area.

"Creating a proper area that includes a ticketing area, a little bit of a canopy so there is some shelter," said Wilson.

Some other funding that could be approvedin the future include a permanent canopy andadditional amenities like an accessible and permanent washroom facility.

If approved, work would begin this fall.