Potential ‘game changer’

Major residential, commercial development slated for downtown Windsor

A major residential development that could reshape Windsor’s skyline just made it past the first hurdle.

Parsons Green Developments is buying the land the abandoned Windsor Wear building is currently located on to build one or more apartment buildings – but the plan could turn into something much larger.

Windsor council unanimously approved a motion June 26 to ratify the agreement with Parsons Green Developments and directed staff to look into rezoning the entire parcel of land between Upper Water Street and King Street into a residential/mix-use zone to allow for several multi-level apartments.

“We want people, who are looking at selling their homes, to be able to stay in the area,” Mayor Anna Allen said. “We hear it on a regular basis: ‘where am I going to go next?’ There’s no properties for them in this town, which is why we’ve lost friends to Wolfville and to Bedford. This would fill that void, big time.”

A concept for a Windsor Waterfront redevelopment plan was drawn up by the developer to illustrate what the area could look like. It includes a new cul-de-sac, connecting pathways, greenspaces and more.

Some of the buildings could go as high as five storeys and would have underground parking.

The plan is still in the conceptual stages and the re-zoning must be approved by council before any- thing can proceed.

“They want this to be as green as possible, a show-stopper when you come into town and on the waterfront. People want to live downtown, so they can walk to a restaurant, do errands on foot,” she said.

“This could be a game changer for the town of Windsor in a big, big way. It’s as huge as the new arena, if not even more so, because bringing people downtown is what we’ve been trying to do.”

Allen said the redesign of the area is part of a long-term plan, which will likely take several years to complete.

One advantage of going forward with a master plan for the area is that it ensures a cohesive long-term strategy, rather than piecemeal development, she said, adding that the town is still com- mitted to securing more affordable housing as well.

High-end living

Chief administrative officer Louis Coutinho said the town put the Windsor Wear building up for sale approximately a year ago, after purchasing it in a tax sale.

A memorandum of understanding was struck with Noel Taiani, president of Parsons Green Developments, to allow him to conduct due diligence on the property.

During that time, Taiani interviewed surrounding landowners and held focus-group sessions. The feedback he received included a desire for high-end apartment living options in the downtown.

“He was concerned that if he put a high-end apartment building where the Windsor Wear building is now, it’s surrounded by not- so-attractive properties and terrain,” Coutinho said. “He wanted to make sure that if he does that, maybe the town would consider how that area should be developed as well. If we don’t have a plan for ourselves of what that area should look like, that becomes a bit of a problem.”

The conceptual plan totally reshapes that part of town, with Dufferin Place no longer standing and replaced by surrounding buildings.

Coutinho said the only way for the town to grow is to go upwards, as it is surrounded by the municipality of West Hants.

The current height limit of buildings in town is three storeys, but that could also be changed to allow for apartments up to five storeys, he said.