A New Focus (or, the birth of a resident association)
You’ve noticed by now that our former vigorous posting schedule here on ScaleDown has dwindle to a trickle.
Or a stop, many of my colleagues would say.
It’s hard to argue that point. Lately, much of my attention has been diverted to a new venture. Still in the vein of Scaledown, though more localized to my immediate neighbourhood.
I am far from abandoning the mission and vision established over the course of 4+ years ScaleDown has been active. That would be like abandoning the sound of my voice. I will stand by everything we’ve espoused to date and argue that the contributors to this site have been ahead of Windsor’s curve when it comes to addressing our built environment and it’s effect on our quality of life.
However, I am narrowing the focus a bit from here on out when it comes to expending my energy. As many of you may know, I live in beautiful Olde Walkerville. A neighbourhood I’ve held in high regards for many of my postings as an example of all the good things that are possible when it comes to urban design.
Unfortunately, I have been reminded quite a few times that simply because a neighbourhood has withstood the trials of many other communities, we are still vulnerable to the pressures of “growth” and “progress” that plague our culture. When we lost the Seagraves building and then the old Bank of Montreal building at Ottawa/Walker, and the insensitive infill development on our residential streets, we scrambled to get the word out about the precarious nature of our architectural heritage and how it defines our ‘hood. We were constantly on the defensive, which put us in a weak position.
Hence the establishment of the Olde Walkerville Residents Association. From our press release:
Residents in the Olde Walkerville are determined to preserve the neighbourhood’s unique “character” and bring together residents through a variety of social events.
The Olde Walkerville Resident’s Association (OWRA) was created to “promote, support, facilitate, coordinate, or undertake activities that will enhance the well-being and character of the Olde Walkerville community.”
Chris Holt, Mita Williams, Adriano Ciotoli, Greg Cooper, Chris Schnurr and Chris Edwards have been meeting laying the ground work for the association and planning the launch party.
“We need more opportunities to get to know our neighbours,” said Mita Williams, “I’m hoping the Olde Walkerville Resident’s Association can bring us together to do just that.”
In addition to social events to build a stronger community, the group has their eye on preserving Walkerville’s significant history and architecture.
“Walkerville has been cited as an example of good neighbourhood planning, so we as a neighbourhood and as a community want to preserve and enhance this as well as our culturally and historically significant buildings, architecture, green space and trails,” stated Holt.
Our stated goals are:
- providing a forum for dialogue on neighbourhood matters;
- maintaining the character of Olde Walkerville based on its unique history;
- preserve and/or enhance culturally and historically significant buildings, architecture and spaces, green space, parks, and trails within the community;
- enhance the livability and quality of the Olde Walkerville neighbourhood;
- fostering a tight-knit community.
We really feel that we can have a positive impact in our lil’ ol’ neck o’the woods by building a stronger community and highlighting the benefits to creating vibrant, walkable urban spaces. On a more personal level, I feel that if more neighbourhoods took a more proactive approach to “fostering a tight-knit community“, we really wouldn’t have a need for the ScaleDown blog to continue. Once residents in Windsor decide that the power lies in their hands, they will once again enjoy beautiful communities that are serviced by local, independant retailers within walking distance from their homes. They’ll rediscover the joys of going for evening walks and greet their neighbours out doing the same.
We’re lucky here in Walkerville in that we have most of what we value in tact. We aim to protect and enhance our ‘hood for the enjoyment of everyone for a very, very long time.
So, as you can see, my shifting energies are well within my stated goals established way-back-when. I look forward to this next leg of the journey.
Live in Olde Walkerville and interested in attending the OWRA Launch Party? Come to the Gourmet Emporium (1799 Wyandotte Rd E) Wednesday evening at 7:00 and get to know more of your neighbours. Bring $5 for a membership to the RA to help strengthen the organization. Don’t live in the ‘hood, but want to help the residents protect this hostoric community? Come as well and buy a $5 “Friend of the ‘Hood” membership to support their efforts.
Post Feedback
hey chris….
been watching your progress and hope to pick your brains for a similar association in Midtown. For the time being we are creating some social gatherings. The first is this Sunday; the House is hosting a Midtown Halloween Bazaar. Please stop by and say hello. Would love to see some familiar Walkerville faces supporting our hood.
I’ll help out in any way possible, Rino. The more resident associations we see in this town, the better communities we’ll have!
I would love to stop by on Sunday, but I just so happen to be getting married that day! I hope it’s wildly popular!
Hi everyone. I’m new here and have been a bit of a wallflower reading as many blogs as my eyes could stand over the last few weeks. Great Blog! It’s great to see something like this happening for Windsor. Congrats to Olde Walkerville on getting a R.A. Myself I am in the Old Riverside area and admire the progess that Walkerville has made!
Is it ok if I randomly post this?
Thanks for the kudos, Ken! Help yourself to reposting anything you find on this site, just be sure to credit the author. These ideas are meant to share as widely as possible.
Np Chris. I’m not here to take credit for anything. I’ve read some great discussions about liveability in a city and I see some people tossing around great ideas with high hopes on this site and it’s a refreshing change from the constant negativity I often see people of the city and surrounding county have towards Windsor. If we’re sticking around this place we have to keep our heads up high and try the best to make it a better place right?! I was unsure if this blog site was somewhat of a more private circle since it seems there’s a usual handful of people discussing issues.
Myself and my fiancee were just taking a nice stroll through Walkerville, checking out the old power building and shops along Devonshire road. We even made it over to Mark’s new restaurant still being built. I have a question though, is the old power building along Riverside now abandoned? From Assumption to Riverside behind the power building it’s a bit of a wasteland with empty lots. I see Walkerville picking up steam and gaining some traction but this block seems, stagnant? I recently heard that Hiram’s plans to tear down those Silos along the water, which are obstructing any sort of view from the power building. Do you see all this leading anywhere? If something were to ever pop up on that peice of property would the OWRA ensure it was in character with the neighbourhood?
Ken, your comment made my day! You have picked up on exactly what we have been trying to do with SD: get people thinking about possibilities and to learn to not simply accept the status quo. We can do better. Lots of other cities/communities are doing it. We have to do it!
Yes, I can understand why you would think this is somewhat of a “closed circle”, but I assure you it is not. It has just distilled into the same group of people. We have lots of room. Welcome aboard.
I am unaware of the validity of the rumours surrounding the Walker silos. First I’ve heard of it, actually. I agree with you in that parcel of “neglected” properties represent a HUGE opportunity for Walkerville! The Walker Power Building is not (as far as I know) actually condemned, it was vacated due to a firemarshall’s order. Unfortunately, the OWRA would have no power over what’s developed on this site, or any others for that matter, seeing as it’s private property. We would be out in full force lobbying to ensure that whatever happens is in tune with the ‘hood. Our success would be based solely on how large and influential we bacome. Stay tuned to see how that turns out…
I hope to make it, but if I don’t I’ll get a “Friend of the Hood” membership when I see you on Sunday.
Wonderful! Hope you can make it, but I’ll have a handful of membership cards in my pocket just in case
BTW Rino, saw your “Midtown” Halloween poster and think it’s a great idea and a great way to define your hood separate from the Downtown.
Getting excited about the launch party tonight!
Congrats on the upcoming nuptials Chris!
Thanks Katie Four Doors!
thanks Paul. thats the point. give people pride in their place/neighbourhood. we don’t have enough neighbourhoods in this city - defined and branded that is. thats what we’re hoping to do. this will also lead to a residents association as well.
congrats chris. hope you have a great weekend!
All the best Walkerville! It is these associations which will take back our neighbourhoods from those who don’t even live in the city and those councillors who don’t care.
Forget about the fake citizens councils the city wants to make. These associations are for everyone and it gets right down to the root causes of issues or celebrations in each neighbourhood in this city.