Streetcar 351 location going back to City Council for discussion
The location of Streetcar 351, once destined for the foot of Askin Avenue on the riverfront, will be heading back to Windsor City Council.
Back in September, the city announced the streetcar wouldn’t be built at the Celestial Beacon because it would rise above the crown of Riverside Drive, which went against its own bylaws.
Instead, it was proposed it be moved to Caron Avenue where height would no longer be an issue.
“We’ve got the money set aside and we’ve got a great plan, so I hope council is able to tackle that and move that project forward Monday,” said Mayor Drew Dilkens.
The cost is $8.4 million and the group “Rally for our Riverfront” including Windsor resident Mike Cardinal, doesn’t believe the streetcar is fit for this space, either.
“The problem here is the legacy beacon was designated legacy because every of the CP rail train station and tower… We need something custom designed here, for the legacy beacon that celebrates that history and not blocks it. Putting the streetcar here could block the view,” said Cardinal.
A council decision on the location was deferred two weeks ago — to see how the Festival Plaza and Waterfront Beacon can be linked to the new City Hall Esplanade.
Cardinal, who won a Local Planning Appeal Tribunal (LPAT) hearing against the city over the previous chosen site, questions, why the rush? Instead, he believes many would like to see it next to the Chimczuk Museum.
“It’s being pushed very hard, very fast, Cardinal said. “And just like anything that’s done too quickly, there’s danger of putting into concrete mistakes that could be corrected on paper.”
Also going before council, plans for a large canopy and redesign of the Festival Plaza, which is a $33-million project that even the mayor agrees, isn’t ready for council’s stamp of approval.
“Looking at different price options, different size options, I think would be appropriate,” Dilkens explained.
Once those options are available, Dilkens says the public should get a look and a chance to chime in.
“At the end of the day, we have a shared goal and that shared goal is to provide a great space, a great concert venue, a great entertainment venue along a beautiful waterfront for the people of Windsor-Essex to enjoy.“
Cardinal and a handful of other delegates are scheduled to speak before council on Monday.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Widow looking for answers after Quebec man dies in Texas Ironman competition
The widow of a Quebec man who died competing in an Ironman competition is looking for answers.
Tom Mulcair: Park littered with trash after 'pilot project' is perfect symbol of Trudeau governance
Former NDP leader Tom Mulcair says that what's happening now in a trash-littered federal park in Quebec is a perfect metaphor for how the Trudeau government runs things.
World seeing near breakdown of international law amid wars in Gaza and Ukraine, Amnesty says
The world is seeing a near breakdown of international law amid flagrant rule-breaking in Gaza and Ukraine, multiplying armed conflicts, the rise of authoritarianism and huge rights violations in Sudan, Ethiopia and Myanmar, Amnesty International warned Wednesday as it published its annual report.
Photographer alleges he was forced to watch Megan Thee Stallion have sex and was unfairly fired
A photographer who worked for Megan Thee Stallion said in a lawsuit filed Tuesday that he was forced to watch her have sex, was unfairly fired soon after and was abused as her employee.
Amid concerns over 'collateral damage' Trudeau, Freeland defend capital gains tax change
Facing pushback from physicians and businesspeople over the coming increase to the capital gains inclusion rate, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and his deputy Chrystia Freeland are standing by their plan to target Canada's highest earners.
U.S. Senate passes bill forcing TikTok's parent company to sell or face ban, sends to Biden for signature
The Senate passed legislation Tuesday that would force TikTok's China-based parent company to sell the social media platform under the threat of a ban, a contentious move by U.S. lawmakers that's expected to face legal challenges.
Wildfire southwest of Peace River spurs evacuation order
People living near a wildfire burning about 15 kilometres southwest of Peace River are being told to evacuate their homes.
U.S. Senate overwhelmingly passes aid for Ukraine, Israel and Taiwan with big bipartisan vote
The U.S. Senate has passed US$95 billion in war aid to Ukraine, Israel and Taiwan, sending the legislation to President Joe Biden after months of delays and contentious debate over how involved the United States should be in foreign wars.
'My stomach dropped': Winnipeg man speaks out after being criminally harassed following single online date
A Winnipeg man said a single date gone wrong led to years of criminal harassment, false arrests, stress and depression.