City council approves funding to revitalize Windsor's BIAs

Council has given the go-ahead on more than $220,000 for municipal infrastructure projects on Windsor's main streets,through the Association of Municipalities of Ontario's (AMO) "Main Street Revitalization Initiative."

The City of Windsor's Community Improvement Plan designates certain streets as "community areas," which are referred to as main streets.

The follow is a list ofbusiness improvement areas (BIAs) which were allocated funds:

• City Hall Square ($3,065).
• Downtown Windsor($13,025).
• Ford City($33,200).
• Olde Riverside ($1,900).
• Olde Sandwich Towne ($24,045).
• Ottawa Street($21,350).
• Pillette Village($28,647).
• Walkerville($7,880).
• Wyandotte Town Centre($60,851).
• Via Italiaon Erie Street($3,854).
• Wyandotte West($1,953).

The funding willrefurbish trash and recycle bins, fix bike racks, install benches and plant new trees in those areas.

During Monday's council meeting, Ward 9 Coun. Kieran McKenzie expressed concern that none of the funds were allocated to parts of south Windsor.

"It doesn't seem like there was any opportunity for folks that are operating businesses and I think there are a couple of business districts in south Windsorthat could've availed themselves of this funding," said McKenzie.

City of Windsor planner Thom Hunt responded by saying only BIAs which had executed "streetscape projects" in the past were considered for funding allocation.

The estimated cost for all of the projects, which includes a five per cent contingency fee,amounts to $224,458. Of that, theAMOwill fund $221,724.

The report presented to council Monday said if there is insufficient AMO funding, the scope of the projects will be reduced in order to eliminate the difference.