The Chair of the Downtown Windsor Business Improvement Association is describing 2016 as slow, gradual, positive and exciting.
Larry Horwitz says there were some ups and downs, but says the downtown core continues to head in the right direction.
He says the BIA was pleased with the inaugural Ouellette Avenue Car Cruise, the Winter Fest parade and the number of new businesses that opened in the core.
Horwitz says there were many improvements in the core as well.
"We've improved our WiFi. We've put flowers in baskets throughout the streets. We've done a lot of interesting things, plus we have about 12 new shops throughout the city. Really interesting fun new shops, exciting shops."
He believes 2017 will be a great year for the downtown.
"I believe that we have a new major shop that's an international chain that's going to be opening up on Pelissier shortly. There's negotiations going on to bring a supermarket downtown. We need more pedestrians downtown. We want this downtown to expand and appreciate a whole lot quicker."
Horwitz adds one major downfall in 2016 was the city's decision to change the ground floor retail space at the Pelissier Street parking garage to parking.
He feels there is still time for the city to reverse its decision.