The needs assessment for the preservation and re-use of the Windsor Armouries is complete – and at an extensive 186 pages – at first glance it appears very thorough.
The addition of a permanent downtown symphony hall could be a further piece to the puzzle of revitalizing our downtown.
Not only could it be a centre-piece for the core area; it would diversify the current mix of gambling and dance clubs.
And contrary to the opinion of some, the symphony offers an affordable experience for everyone.
I could even imagine a performance of the likes of Carmina Burana/O Fortuna at the symphony.
A few years ago I travelled to Detroit to experience this vocal and symphonic experience. (The link is not the Detroit performance, unfortunately).
What is important is what I also did.
I dined at a nearby restaurant (Where the service was stellar! We had three waiters taking care of us); took in the performance at the theatre and then went to Greek Town for dessert and some slots at Greek Town Casino.
And there are a plethora of examples where the arts have contributed to the success of many downtowns:
- Renovated beautiful old theaters (e.g., the Lincoln in South Beach, FL,the State in Columbus, OH, the Paramount in Rutland, VT)
- Created nHarms Center in Englewood, and Rahway’s Union Count
- Developed new arts museums (e.g., Cincinnati, OH, Tacoma, WA, Seattle, WA, Amherst, MA, Tampa, FL, Bar Harbor, ME, Rac
- Opened children’s museums (e.g., Charlotte, NC, St. Louis, MO and Normal, OK)
- Many downtowns have even developed their own “culture districts” (e.g.,Philadelphia, PA, Tampa, FL, Charleston, SC, Kalamazoo, MI).
But the study also identified challenges:
User demand for a new concert venue is not sufficient to justify renovation of the Windsor Armouries just for the Symphony. The Symphony’s programming would utilize performance space less than a quarter of the year. There is some demand from arts groups for performance space. But this demand exists primarily for a venue with less than 1,000 seats. Additional external demand is also difficult to predict, as many arts groups cite interest in using the Capitol Theatre.
The communities in Windsor and the County undervalue the economic impact of developing and operating the Windsor Armouries as a cultural facility. The project is not perceived as a regional and downtown revitalization tool. This mentality is a barrier to the project, as cultural facilities are not yet believed to be beneficial to the community.
What could augment the use of the armouries is the University of Windsor’s School of Music – an exciting possibility referenced in the study – which not only could make the project more feasible, but offers another exciting dynamic to the core.
While the study cites fundraising challenges given the economic climate, a story released today from Queens University could brighten prospects:
The Governments of Canada and Ontario are each setting aside one-half of eligible costs of the project, up to a maximum contribution of $15 million. Drs. Alfred and Isabel Bader have given $18 million, and the City of Kingston has confirmed a funding contribution of $6 million. The total estimated cost of the performing arts centre is $63 million.
Hopefully, the symphony will undertake a study of fundraising and funding opportunities as well.
The major challenges to this proposal are summarized in the executive summary (at at length after page 30):
Finally, we see the Windsor Armouries as being potentially attractive as a venue for meetings and special events, from weddings to wine shows. But more work must be done to position the facility relative to other key downtown venues and then engage an operator prepared to compete for that business.
A challenge through the study was the status of other performance facilities. The Capitol Theatre is closed and Chrysler Theatre has been in a state of flux with staff and policy changes. Both of these buildings must find their way, determining what programs make sense, how and by whom they should be operated, and how then they can be financially sustained. Until that happens, it is difficult to make the case to add the Windsor Armouries into the mix.
What struck me was the honesty of the proposal – weighing the pro’s as well as the con’s in plain sight.
Canal Business Study
I’m continuing to read the Canal Business Study and I had to chuckle given the criticism I have received for my position regarding the canal.
The Project Requires Anchors – The canal by itself is not a significant draw, but rather a piece of infrastructure that will help to attract new investment to the area. In conjunction with the canal, should be the development of one or more anchor attractions. These may include a cultural venue, such as a heritage centre, performing arts venue, a recreation venue, such as a sports stadium or entertainment attraction; a unique commercial/retail development; or a community space, with aggressive programming (e.g. farmers market, craft market, festivals, skating rink, performances, etc.) To continually renew excitement for the canal district, anchor attractions could be phased in over time.
Now I have to point you to my blog entitled “60 Points of Light” when I wrote:
But what Mr. Henderson did not tell us was that the Bricktown Canal was but one of 9 projects approved by voters there known as the MAPS Master Plan, though he did elude to a “massive development plan” involving hundreds of millions of voter approved tax increases.
What this tells me is that on top of the canal (since we blew the opportunity of locating a sports arena in the core), we’ll need additional venues - a point I made during the 2006 municipal election at Patrick O’Ryans when I argued that an arena, or I-MAX Theatre or musem could be just that.
We need an anchor for the urban village to become reality and a canal is NOT the anchor but the icing on the cake.
However, the city has also undertaken a study for a Children’s Village and Entertainment Centre:
Concurrent with this study, the City has initiated a study for a Children’s Village and Entertainment Centre, which could be integrated into the canal district. This facility could represent an important anchor to the canal. Further work is required to refine the concept of this facility and how it can be incorporated into the planning for the canal.
Given the Bricktown experience, I shudder to think how many more tens of millions of taxpayer dollars will be required to make the canal proposal viable.
What is missing with this rushed canal plan is an overall plan – it’s like putting the cart before the horse.
My biggest concern (over and above using vital infrastructure dollars that could otherwise put a futher dent into our $700-million infrastructure deficit) is that the canal could be constructued with future councils coming back begging beleaguered taxpayers for additional funds to justify the original expenditure to “revitalize” the core.
Now if private developers want to build the canal – go for it. Issue an RFP to gauge the response.
Better yet, issue the RFP for the urban village that was promised back in 2006.
Because if there is no response for residential development a stones throw from a beautiful riverfront; the St. Clair Centre for the Performing Arts or a casino – I have serious reservations a canal will achieve a different outcome.
Afterall, Shmuel Farhi said back on November 8, 2006 (mere days before the municipal election) - long before this talk of building a canal:
Farhi said he will use the year to line up potential buyers for a “first-class” condominium development overlooking Windsor’s waterfront, with retail on the ground floor.
“The building next to the Art Gallery is going to warrant a first- class facility,” he said in a telephone interview Tuesday. “I am not building anything unless it is first class.”
He said he isn’t worried about having a residential development next door to the city’s new transit terminal. A bus depot is “a very important element” to a city centre, because it provides quick and easy access for people who depend on public transportation.
He said the bus depot has been designed to fit into the vision for the urban village. “It’s a very intriguing building. It’s going to be a very nice building,” he said.
He says he’s excited about the city’s plan to redevelop downtown and thinks the move to create a campus for about 700 St. Clair College students was brilliant.
“If we see other opportunities in Windsor, trust me, I have deep pockets and I will spend money in Windsor.”
Chris Schnurr
Carol Kosowan LL.B., B.A. (Law), B.A. (Policy)
“If we see other opportunities in Windsor, trust me, I have deep pockets and I will spend money in Windsor.”
Except that Mr. Farhi has spent very little money in Windsor. He will more than break even with the Lear property. None of the City-owned properties downtown have been transferred to Mr. Farhi. That way he doesn’t pay a single penny in property tax.
“I shudder to think how many more tens of millions of taxpayer dollars will be required to make the canal proposal viable.”
Well, we just can’t build a canal. Every street around the canal will have to be rebuilt to Ouellette Avenue standards. More money. We need attractions around the canal. More money. Then we will have to advertise the canal. More money. Just another black hole.
There is also infrastructure under the anchor site that will have to be torn out and relaid everywhere. Trust me.
As for Mr. Fahri and his new found relationship with mr. Mayor, the paperwork should have been completed and taxes paid. Are some animals more equal than others? Oh, forgive me, this is Windsor.
Sherd6 – it goes beyond just tearing out old infrastructure – that site need remediation. We may be looking at digging the whole site down several feet, and then building it back up at enormous cost… I predict that most of the site exceeds MNR Table II for contaminant levels… also this would represent a change in land use, and because of its proximity to a natural watercourse (and a man-made one) the site has to undergo a risk assessment which could very determine that you have to take out all the existing materials and replace it with clean fill.
This canal idea is so poorly thought out, but hey, Eddie’s snap judgements have been spot on before, so maybe we should allow him the benefit of the doubt.
In Eddie we trust.
Here we go – Mr Deep Pockets is going to save lunch bucket Windsor from our lack of high class!
He said the magic word! Are we world class yet?
No?
If I only had a lobotomy and a lithium drip I would probably find these jokers more believable.