The Results are In!
I came across this survey on another web-site. How do you feel about the results of this poll?
Question: Downtown already contains some housing today. Which improvement would most effectively make downtown a more desirable place to live?
Results:
More/better transportation options (safer, better walking routes; better transit access and service; bike routes; and/or simpler driving routes)
12% (33 votes)
12% (33 votes)More/better choices in types of housing available
16% (45 votes)
16% (45 votes)More/better retail and basic service options
17% (49 votes)
17% (49 votes)More grocery stores
25% (71 votes)
25% (71 votes)More/better options for entertainment, arts, cultural events, etc.
6% (16 votes)
6% (16 votes)More/better park and recreation options
2% (5 votes)
2% (5 votes)Better sense of safety and/or cleanliness
15% (44 votes)
15% (44 votes)More jobs in/near downtown
7% (21 votes)
7% (21 votes)Total Votes: 284
Tags: Downtown development
Post Feedback
All this survey shows is that there are competing pressures. It is those competing pressures that make it difficult to come up with consensus or a plan.
Well sure there’s competing pressures. Isn’t there competing pressures with all planning projects?
Isn’t the point of public input on issues to identify needs and priorities?
Yup…
But whose public input do you listen too in order to identify needs and priorities?
Read Section 6.11.1.1 in City Centre Planning District section in the Land Use chapter in the City of Windsor Official Plan.
What is the vision for downtown Windsor? Well, it’s supposed to be concentration of government uses, entertainment uses, retail uses, cultural venues, residences, and business headquarters. Oh, and don’t forget tourism in Section 6.11.1.11. So much for priorities?
Holy shit.
Now you work in the Planning Department and try to come up with something that meets those objectives.
Good luck
If past experience is considered - we listen to the group with the money.
The vision for downtown Windsor…
Concentration of government uses - like MPAC.
Concentration of cultural/entertainment venues - like the arena.
Retail uses - like new commercial land at the periphery.
Residences - see above
Business HQ’s - see above.
If these things are supposed to be the priorities then council and the corporation should be doing everything in their power to push development downtown.
Remember what Fulvio said “I’m a believer in decreasing urban sprawl,” he said. “We need to create incentives for people to build in the core.”
I’d take anything Fulvio says with a huge grain of salt. This is the guy who believes that ’something has to be done’ with methadone clinics because a few residents fear for their lives.
It seems those CIPs that we were all involved in about 4-5 years back would address the top 4 issues. I wonder why they sit and gather dust?
However, I find it interesting that houising is a 4th place finish. Perhaps those who have filled out the survey are happy where they live.
A poll should be taken of people who may want to live downtown but don’t and list the reason(s). Or those looking to move, why they don’t move downtown.
But the top 4 above are right onthe money regardless of the order.
“I wonder why they sit and gather dust?”
Lack of money and lack of willpower.
“However, I find it interesting that houising is a 4th place finish.”
I think it has something to do with how the question is worded. It begins with the statement that “Downtown already contains some housing today”. Some people would read that to mean that there is adequate housing downtown and therefore is not a major concern.