University unveils plans for new civic square

Informal gathering place the latest piece of downtown revitalization by U of W

The short downtown street where people once parked their cars to dine at the Tunnel Bar-B-Q will soon become a place to study, socialize or take in an outdoor concert.

The University of Windsor is transforming Freedom Way into a civic square to be called the Link. It will be an extension of the campus encompassing the renovated Armouries, the Alan Wildeman Centre for Creative Arts and the soon-to-be transformed former bus station.

People had the chance Tuesday to meet with university representatives and architects on the project to offer suggestions and feedback on the proposed design.

“This is a really exciting final stage,” said Craig Goodman, principal architect at CS&P Architects. With the buildings flanking the block-long street between University Avenue East and Park Street East already complete, “It begged the question: What do you do between the buildings?”

With the Windsor-Detroit Tunnel below, the university can’t dig or plant trees, Goodman said. “There are lots of constraints.” Instead, the university proposes installing benches and raised beds of plants with shallow roots. There’s plenty of open space for art exhibits, craft fairs and other events, Goodman said.

“It’s got the right dimensions for a public space.”

Music students can put on openair concerts, drama students can put on shows and film students can offer outdoor screenings. Otherwise, it will be an informal gathering place, or scenic way for pedestrians to get from University Avenue to Park Street.

“It’s like a living room for the School of Creative Arts.”

The university is working with the city for a legal transfer of the property. The street can’t be owned by the school because of the tunnel, Goodman said. “It’s an agreement for use of the ground plane.”

The University of Windsor’s School of Creative Arts moved to the Armouries site in December. In 2015, the university moved its School of Social Work and Centre for Executive and Professional Education to the former Windsor Star building at Pitt and Ferry streets.

The university ’s $75-million investment in a downtown campus is part of the city’s vision for revitalizing its core.

NICK BRANCACCIO Sandra Aversa, the University of Windsor’s vice-president of planning and administration, looks over drawings with Craig Goodman of CS&P Architects and city engineer Mark Winterton, right, on Tuesday during an open house for a new pedestrian corridor and green space planned for Freedom Way in downtown Windsor.