The City of Windsor wants to hear from the public on what they think needs to be done to address issues facing the downtown core.
The city is currently working with StrategyCorp consultants to develop a plan to improve downtown while addressing issues around safety, homelessness, mental health and addiction.
As part of the process, residents and business owners are asked to take part in the Downtown Windsor Revitalization Survey to share their experiences, solutions, suggestions, and concerns.
The results of the survey will play a part in the plan being developed by the city and StrategyCorp.
Windsor Mayor Drew Dilkens told a news conference Wednesday there is a perception issue downtown that involves mental health and addiction, something that may not be criminal in nature but it leads people to be concerned for their safety.
"It's the type of thing that dissuades people and the general public from wanting to come downtown, if they see people suffering from mental health and addiction issues, really acting in an uncommon way," he says. "It's not criminal behaviour but it's the type of thing where people back off and they say 'I don't really know, I'm not sure if I'm safe. I'm not sure if that person is going to lash out at me because I'm not sure what's going on in their mind right now.'"
Ward 6 councillor Jo-Anne Gignac, Ward 8 councillor Gary Kaschak, Windsor Mayor Drew Dilkens, Ward 3 councillor Renaldo Agostino, Ward 4 councillor Mark McKenzie and Ward 7 councillor Angelo Marignani take part in a news conference outside Windsor City Hall. Sept. 27, 2023 (Photo: Rusty Thomson)
Along with the survey, StrategyCorp will conduct consultations with focus groups, stakeholders and support agencies to discuss the current challenges.
Dilkens says they want to support the people who are struggling with mental health and addition issues but as they deal with those struggles, we can't sit back and hope things get better.
"We can't sit back and hope the business owners can do their business when people are defecating at the front door, sleeping at the front door, hanging out in front of the businesses, displaying a behaviour that wouldn't be criminal, but would be off-putting to most sensible people," he says. "This is about supporting those people that are making investments in our downtown core and saying we respect you."
Downtown Windsor near the intersection of Ouellette Avenue and Chatham Street . Sept. 27, 2023 (Photo: Rusty Thomson)
While the city wants to find a "Made in Windsor" solution, Dilkens told the news conference there are limiting factors to some solutions given responsibilities that are funded by the municipality and those that are run by the federal or provincial governments when it comes to helping those in need.
But he says you should still submit all of your ideas.
"It's easier to say we've captured your idea, we've considered it and here's why we can't do it, or we've captured it and considered it," says Dilkens. "If enough people, there's strength in numbers, if there's enough people saying the same thing, it empowers myself and all of us to have conversations with the premier, with the minister of health and all the people who control the purse strings to say 'here's what the community wants, here's what they've advocated for and why I'm here."
Click here to find the survey which will be available until Oct. 18.