Windsor gears up for Open Streets event this weekend

Windsor is gearing up for its biggest block party in the city's history.

Open Streets is a pilot project that takes place Sunday when organizers transform 8 km of road intoa space for pedestrian and cycling traffic only.The route runseast-west from Sandwich to Ford City.

• Open Streets block party gets council OK

"It's made to give you a different perspective on some of the areasyou drive down daily in your car," said Coun. RinoBortolin, who is a major supporter of the event.

City council has put up$55,000 to pay for two of these parties. A second Open Streets event is scheduled for September.

Streets affected includeBrockStreet along Sandwich Street down University Avenue West to the downtown before turning toWyandotteStreet East all the way toDrouillardRoad.

Parts of those streets will be closed to vehicles from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Sunday and then again on Sept. 18.

Still need to drive?

For motorists still looking to drive on Sunday, there are nine intersections still open to traffic:

• Huron Church Road at University Avenue West
• Crawford Avenue at University Avenue West
• Bruce Avenue at University Avenue West
• Pelissier Street at University Avenue West
• McDougall Street at University Avenue East
• Glengarry Avenue at University Avenue East
• Gladstone Avenue at Wyandotte Street East
• Lincoln Road at Wyandotte Street East
• Walker Road at Wyandotte Street East

Not so open to the idea

One of the biggest critics of this weekend's Open Streets block party has warmed to the idea of shutting down sections of Windsor's streets.

Coun. Paul Borrelli had some harsh words for the event organizers when approved by council back in February. He called the event "a misadventure in fantasyland," suggesting the money could be spent on other cycling infrastructure projects.

He has since come around slightly, telling CBC News he hopes it is successful. Borrelli still maintains the event should be sponsored by the private sector, instead of coming from taxpayers.

"In general, it's a great idea. I'm hoping for the best. I hope it's absolutely successful," he said. "But is this money and effort really worth it for a two-day event, which might not be sustainable much further than that?"

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