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Eric
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Username: Eric

Post Number: 792
Registered: 11-2004
Posted on Friday, April 27, 2007 - 8:28 pm:   Edit PostDelete Post   Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

Windsor's downtown leaders battle to boost businesses
Improvements hope to drive commerce
April 25, 2007

BY JOHN GALLAGHER

FREE PRESS BUSINESS WRITER

WINDSOR – Complete with an Elvis impersonator and an upbeat slogan – “Downtown Rocks!” – business and civic leaders in this border city across from Detroit put a hopeful face today on their downtown’s problems and promise.

“Downtown rocks – you know it and I know it,” Vicky Smith, chair of the Downtown Windsor Business Improvement Association, told the group’s annual meeting.
But Smith and everyone else admits than a challenging reality lies beneath the upbeat assessment. Windsor’s city center has seen a sharp decline in business in the past few years.


http://www.freep.com/apps/pbcs .dll/article?AID=200770425024
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Ray1936
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Post Number: 1374
Registered: 01-2005
Posted on Friday, April 27, 2007 - 8:39 pm:   Edit PostDelete Post   Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

I suspect that when the passport requirements take effect next year, Windsor's business is going to nose-dive.

On my annual trip to Michigan, the wife and I always made a trip to Windsor and the Tunnel BBQ. But I don't have a passport, don't have a need for one otherwise, and won't get one.

Bye-bye, Tunnel BBQ. At least I can still buy your rib sauce via the net.
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French777
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Post Number: 165
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Posted on Friday, April 27, 2007 - 8:43 pm:   Edit PostDelete Post   Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

I kinda hope Windsor goes under.
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Aiw
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Post Number: 6249
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Posted on Friday, April 27, 2007 - 8:56 pm:   Edit PostDelete Post   Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

quote:

I kinda hope Windsor goes under.



It did along time ago, the only people downtown holds any attraction for is for the 19-21 year old crowd from MI & OH.

Ray, business is already way down, and has been since 2001. Downtown will recover, it just has to reinvent itself, and maybe an attempt to cater to the actual residents might help.
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Yupislyr
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Username: Yupislyr

Post Number: 209
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Posted on Friday, April 27, 2007 - 9:01 pm:   Edit PostDelete Post   Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

Re: passports.

There'll be alternatives to the passport rule. It looks like probably enhanced driver's licenses.

http://www.news1130.com/news/n ational/article.jsp?content=n0 42378A
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Miketoronto
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Username: Miketoronto

Post Number: 538
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Posted on Friday, April 27, 2007 - 9:15 pm:   Edit PostDelete Post   Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

Windsor should never have allowed Devonshire Mall to open.

Downtown Windsor has the problem of being busy at night, but dead during the day. And its a shame, because the waterfront park system is amazing, yet people hardly go downtown.

Its really sad, because it could be an amazing downtown.

I know shopping is not the only thing a downtown has. But shopping adds vibrancy to the streets, and small cities like Windsor have totally eaten away their downtown commerce with suburban malls.

Downtown Windsor needs stuff people want. I tried shopping in downtown Windsor when I was in Detroit-Windsor, and there was hardly any stores to even go into, with anything interesting.
They have got to offer better things downtown. Restaurants though were good.
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Eric
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Username: Eric

Post Number: 794
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Posted on Friday, April 27, 2007 - 9:19 pm:   Edit PostDelete Post   Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

quote:

I kinda hope Windsor goes under



Why?
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Cgunn
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Username: Cgunn

Post Number: 47
Registered: 01-2004
Posted on Saturday, April 28, 2007 - 12:33 am:   Edit PostDelete Post   Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

Article from The Windsor Star

http://www.canada.com/windsors tar/news/local/story.html?id=c ef1ea61-3fd9-40bd-8840-4f14cb7 f8dbd&k=86660
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Lmichigan
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Username: Lmichigan

Post Number: 5435
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Posted on Saturday, April 28, 2007 - 12:46 am:   Edit PostDelete Post   Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

It was significantly more than Devonshire Mall, Mike, and even you realize that.
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Upinottawa
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Username: Upinottawa

Post Number: 823
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Posted on Saturday, April 28, 2007 - 11:38 am:   Edit PostDelete Post   Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

Mike, you cannot continue to blame everything on the Mall. If Windsor did not allow Devonshire in its territory, Tecumseh or LaSalle would have.

Windsor's downtown will improve once a firm commitment is made by the city, developers, building owners, etc. to make the downtown a downtown that Windsorites want (rather a downtown that caters to the bar crowd).

Ironically, when downtown starts to cater to Windsorites, it will become a more attractive spot to visit for Metro Detroiters who can drink legally in Michigan.
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Goat
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Username: Goat

Post Number: 9373
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Posted on Sunday, April 29, 2007 - 9:39 am:   Edit PostDelete Post   Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

Yeah, Windsor's downtown will improve, when they build the stupid UofW campus to allow even more 19-22 year olds to go to bars and get drunk. I don't get how university students who don't have any money are going to change the downtown area? Won't this create more bars and little of anything else? How can the city be so stupid with such a one dimensional idea?
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Lowell
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Username: Lowell

Post Number: 3839
Registered: 10-2003
Posted on Sunday, April 29, 2007 - 3:14 pm:   Edit PostDelete Post   Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

A big issue facing downtown Detroit and Windsor is the increasing border nuisance with the threat presented by passport requirements being the worst.

Essentially it makes both downtowns, and their dramatic riverfronts in particular, dead ends. If we could eliminate the restrictions and be just like any other city divided by a river, like Kansas City, Ottawa or even Saginaw, where people could move freely, hop in boats and swing from side to side the riverfronts could become vibrant and happening places.

That seems so far away with all the scare-orists and anti-immigration hype. But something as simple as regular Ferry service between Dieppe and Hart plazas would greatly enhance prospects for both sides.
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Upinottawa
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Username: Upinottawa

Post Number: 825
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Posted on Sunday, April 29, 2007 - 3:58 pm:   Edit PostDelete Post   Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

Lowell: I am all for the ferry service. Eventually there should be a business case for providing such service. The redevelopment in downtown Detroit and downtown Detroit's continued progress towards being a destination area will help convince Windsorites to head to downtown Detroit while leaving their cars behind.

Again, Windsor needs to refocus its downtown away from the kiddie bars. When this happens, downtown Windsor will again become a retail and entertainment draw.

Goat, never underestimate the buying power of students. Some have more money then they know what to do with.
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Eric
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Username: Eric

Post Number: 801
Registered: 11-2004
Posted on Monday, April 30, 2007 - 7:17 pm:   Edit PostDelete Post   Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

A ferry service is something that is overdue. Just think how many more people would visit each others downtown if there wasn't always the hassle of using the tunnel or bridge. It'd be another tool in promoting both cities a single tourism destination and negating some of the effects of the passport requirement.
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Erikto
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Username: Erikto

Post Number: 549
Registered: 11-2003
Posted on Tuesday, May 01, 2007 - 1:10 am:   Edit PostDelete Post   Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

If Windsor's core is to be empty or full of students, I would imagine the students' presence is preferable. It would be neat if Windsor and Detroit could coordinate some events, as I believe certain Ontario and Upstate New York towns do.
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Professorscott
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Username: Professorscott

Post Number: 312
Registered: 12-2006
Posted on Tuesday, May 01, 2007 - 1:26 am:   Edit PostDelete Post   Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

If the passport requirement actually does go into effect, it will absolutely kill, and I mean kill, the cross-border casual traffic. That will be devastating to Windsor and it won't do any good for Detroit either, or Port Huron and Sarnia, or the Niagara Fallses.

Just hope that gets watered down as one of our correspondents suggested above, and as our Secretary of State is working very hard to accomplish. Otherwise our border is meaningless.
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Miketoronto
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Username: Miketoronto

Post Number: 540
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Posted on Tuesday, May 01, 2007 - 9:11 am:   Edit PostDelete Post   Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

Windsor also has to stop promoting the fringe.

If the city really wants to make downtown the place, then stop allowing big box development on the fringe, and expansion of malls and suburban entertainment areas.

Cities are to blame for some of the hardships on our downtowns, because they do not have the guts to stand up for downtown.

Look at England. They saw suburban malls were not the best idea, and put a ban on our of downtown retail/entertainment venues.
Now you have to really prove you can not put your business in the centre, before they will grant you the o.k. The laws have been so good that even IKEA is opening downtown locations.

A city and gov have to want to make downtown strong, and not be afraid to say no to the suburban sections sometimes.

I am sorry, but it is very sad that downtown Windsor had more action in the 1920's, then it does today, with a population double its size.

I have neighbours here in Toronto who grew up in Windsor. Man to hear the stories from back in the day, when Windsor was a happening place. You use to go downtown and it was packed with people and things to do, and then you could hop transit services over into Detroit to take advantage of an even more happening downtown.
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Upinottawa
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Username: Upinottawa

Post Number: 828
Registered: 09-2005
Posted on Tuesday, May 01, 2007 - 9:47 am:   Edit PostDelete Post   Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

Erikto, Doors Open Ontario was promoting its events in both Niagara Falls Ontario and New York. Windsor and Detroit could have done the same thing, thus enhancing the potential tourist draw.

Unfortunately, Windsor-Essex is not even participating this year.

As for Mike, downtown Toronto was "a lot more happening" in the 20's as well.
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Southwestmap
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Username: Southwestmap

Post Number: 801
Registered: 01-2005
Posted on Tuesday, May 01, 2007 - 9:59 am:   Edit PostDelete Post   Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

Beautiful Birks' Jewelry store - when that closed it seemed as bad as losing Hudson in downtown Detroit. It was an outpost of Canadian beauty. Also, I miss the shops selling woolens and British Isle classic clothes - but few dress like that anymore.

Windsor is so multi-cultural that it has no identity or theme anymore. It used to be a little piece of England. The Queen's photo was around. It was fun to visit.
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Upinottawa
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Username: Upinottawa

Post Number: 829
Registered: 09-2005
Posted on Wednesday, May 02, 2007 - 4:58 pm:   Edit PostDelete Post   Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

One option is for downtown Windsor to play up Canada's English, French and aboriginal heritages. Parisian cafes mixed with British pubs and aboriginal public art would certainly help provide downtown Windsor with a unique identity in the Metro Detroit area.
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Southwestmap
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Username: Southwestmap

Post Number: 804
Registered: 01-2005
Posted on Wednesday, May 02, 2007 - 5:11 pm:   Edit PostDelete Post   Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

Well - that's an idea that I like, but Windsor (business) is more Asian and Middle Eastern lately. I can't see that population getting behind a British/French Aboriginal theme scheme. That said, I do know that the owner of the wonderful and ever-so-British Royal George hotel in Niagara-on-the-Lake is from Singapore!
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Walkerpub
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Username: Walkerpub

Post Number: 157
Registered: 12-2003
Posted on Wednesday, May 02, 2007 - 5:44 pm:   Edit PostDelete Post   Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

Lowell:

Ferry boats are such as simple concept- that's why it'll never happen! My brother in law had a proposal in the early 80s to relaunch the ferry service and the answer was NO! I thought there was a golden opportunity to set up a ferry when the Casino moved out of the riverboat- the structure would've made a perfect landing- oh well.

If you want to see how downtown Windsor has changed over the years, I invite you to download a (free) chapter from our postcard book:

http://walkerville.com/postcards/index.html

Scroll down until you see in red:

Click here to view a sample from the first chapter – Downtown Windsor.







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