Wyandotte Street East-Walkerville BIA

Walkerville is back in business

In its 156th year as a commercial district, Walkerville has reopened for business.

In its 156th year as a commercial district, Walkerville has reopened for business.

Proudly offering a dynamic and cultural atmosphere with a vibrant and historic built landscape, Walkerville is home to an eclectic variety of businesses across multiple sectors and is now warmly framed by the decorative treatments of a welcoming new streetscape.

Although the district was experiencing growth, the infrastructure beneath our feet was as old as the original village and in dire need of repair. Examples of Walkerville’s history, such as turn-of-the-century oil cisterns and haunting below-grade entrances, were found hiding under our sidewalks and streets during demolition, as well as three blocks of rail ties which carried one of the earliest streetcars in North America.

Mayor Eddie Francis, Ward 4 Coun. Alan Halberstadt and this term’s city council are owed thanks in recognizing the need and allocating the funding necessary to facilitate the combined reconstruction efforts of the water utilities, roadway and pedestrian streetscape in Walkerville.

In helping to design and oversee construction, we are also very thankful to R.C. Spencer and Associates and the City of Windsor engineering department, which collectively and diligently championed the entire effort from funding to completion.

Some of the updates include extended corners for pedestrian safety, crosswalks with visual-aid landing pads and bollards, smart meter parking, designated bike lanes, above-standard trees with strata cell root systems, ornamental fencing and grates, new banners and a variety of decorative furniture, such as banner poles, benches, refuse receptacles, bike racks and more.

A special thanks is owed to Windsor’s planning department in helping to reimagine our BIA.

Finally, we are grateful for the work of J&J Lepera Infrastructures Inc. in completing the build successfully and efficiently. The crew on site were friendly and hardworking, and consistently accommodated the individual needs of our businesses.

Together, Walkerville was able to endure the process of street construction thanks to the vision and commitment of our key stakeholders and the loyalty of our wonderful patrons. We thank you all.

Please join us for a grand reopening celebration in Jubilee Park at Kildare Road and Wyandotte Street on Friday, Nov. 21 at 7 p.m. Canned goods will be collected for the St. Mary’s food bank.

JAKE RONDOT, chair, Walkerville BIA, Windsor

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