Our RIVERFRONT is
UNDER THREAT.
Let’s rally together to
keep it CLEAN AND GREEN
for future generations.
The Threat
Who Are We?
How Can You Help?
Join our campaign to Rally For Our Riverfront.
Instead of “I remember what it used to look like”,
YOU can say “I spoke up and here it is for you to enjoy.”
The Story So Far...
Anishinaabe Territory
Railway Yards and Barges
Railway marshalling yards, docks, barges and railway ferries dominated the riverfront parkland for a century. Some of the historical features remain in the riverfront park: specialized docks for railway cars and ferries, Riverside Drive’s bridge over “The Cut” (a ravine created to bring railway cars down the embankment to the river’s edge.) Changing these brownfields into green space has won Windsor the attention of the world.
Clear the way for the park: clean and green
We remember how the riverfront was developed for business for more than a century. At great public expense the properties were purchased and demolished to make way for the long, uninterrupted, natural view of the riverfront that we now enjoy.
Mayor Bert Weeks
Mayor Bert Weeks joined Councillor Roy Battagello in that dream, and together with many other citizens, made it a reality for us to enjoy
Councillor Roy Battagello
City Councillor Roy Battagello made the reclaiming and establishment of the natural riverfront a lifework
Vision Interrupted
For 30 years the vision of an uninterrupted natural view of the river was interrupted by a setback: The lease of the riverfront to Holiday Inn. The promise of a large hotel that would help prompt development in downtown Windsor never came to be. The land was too unstable for the promised large development. Instead the “plywood palace”, a much lighter and smaller building was constructed. When the lease expired and the City regained possession of the land, the building “caught fire” at both ends. It was then demolished. We now enjoy the uninterrupted natural riverfront view for 6+ kilometers.
The sunset photo of our lawn sign is a current view from the same place where the Holiday Inn used to block the view.
Clean and Green
Trust Violated
An LPAT (Local Planning Appeal Tribunal) caught the City violating these laws (case# PL200646) and stopped the development of view-blocking streetcar gallery in the riverfront park. See the LPAT Findings and Quotes.
Threat to 'clean and green' riverfront
Rally For Our Riverfront
Quotes from Local Planning Appeal Tribunal Case (LPAT) #PL200606
“The City…did not attend to defend their proposal.”
“In all respects, the tribunal finds that the minor variance does not meet any of the statutory tests…and is particularly not desirable or appropriate for the development of the subject lands or site.”
“Order: The Tribunal allows the Appeal, and the minor variance to the City of Windsor…is denied.”
“The proposed building is simply too large and too high for the subject property.”
“The development or use of land is not desirable or appropriate.”
“Existing buildings along the riverfront are low in height and worked into the south bank, so they are barely noticeable when travelling along Riverside Drive.”
“The Zoning Bylaw…establishes…that for all (park) lands…situated on the north side of Riverside Drive East and West, no new building or parts (of buildings) shall be permitted to extend above the crown of the pavement (of) Riverside Drive.”
“To allow a building to extend above the crown of the road is in direct contravention of the rather purposeful requirement…of the Zoning Bylaw.”
“The city’s Official Plan…designates the…Central Riverfront Park Lands…(as a) Special Policy Area.”
“The Central Riverfront’s identity is rooted in the physical and cultural links to its past. The Central Riverfront has a rich cultural heritage including native, early colonial settlement, railway, military and urban development. Opportunities for recognizing, conserving and enhancing the heritage and archaeological significance of this area will be integrated into the overall interpretation and development of the Central Riverfront. The following policies will guide the development of the Central Riverfront’s Cultural Heritage.”
“Specifically cited…Beacon Policies…state that…(s1.13.20) d. the roofs of the Beacons are to be designed as a landscaped terrace accessible from the Riverside Drive Promenade, e. the roof level of the Beacons will be at or below the sight line of Riverside Drive, …all the proposed Beacons will be set within the south slope of the riverbank.”
“It is equally important to consider the contextual impacts on what surrounds it and the people or structure uses it impacts.”
“Considering the totality of elements including impacts on residential dwellings along Riverside Drive, the approved variance is not minor.”
“The proposal is out of character with the area that includes bike paths, riverbank sidewalks, pedestrian gathering places, vistas of the Ambassador Bridge and the Detroit City skylines.”
“(It) violates the objectives of the City’s own Riverside Drive Vista Improvement Plan.”
“Assumption Park and Parish Church…has discovered historic land donations by Huron Indians.”
“A thorough review and consultation with indigenous communities is warranted.”