University Avenue fix still needed: Councillor
University Avenue has been neglected for too long, says west-end Coun. Fabio Costante, who hopes a proposed upgrade does not get lost in the shuffle with so many other demands across Windsor.
At the end of city council’s meeting on Monday, he called on administration to provide a firm timetable for completion of environmental assessments and getting community improvement plans (CIPS) in place for the crumbling east-west road artery. It has become an eyesore in several sections stretching from downtown to the Ambassador Bridge.
City administration first launched environmental study efforts back in mid-2018 with hopes to renovate University between Huron Church Road and Mcdougall Street. Also included in the study area is a two-block stretch of Victoria Avenue between Chatham and Park streets.
An outside consultant was retained, a public meeting was staged to gather feedback and there were online surveys.
But not much about improving University — originally known as London Street — has since been discussed, leading Costante on Monday to issue a reminder to city officials to push forward on plans.
“University Avenue West, if we do it right, could be a game-changer, not just for the west end, but our entire inner city,” Costante said. “I am concerned if not enough attention is paid to this it could be delayed more than it should be.
“I’m a proponent of doing the street right,” he said, so he understands that the studies may need to take longer. “I just hope to see things completed sooner rather than later. As it moves forward, I just want to see this stay a priority.”
The street’s wide berth — originally designed to accommodate streetcars — sets up the perfect opportunity to create bike lanes, wider sidewalks and transit stops, he said.
“The redesign is exciting to me,” Costante said. “There have been some conceptual designs and ideas. In general, it’s been recognized you will see a road diet on University (reducing the number of vehicle lanes) where you could have wide sidewalks, parking, protected bike lanes and nodes for transit to get in and out.
“It can be the best example of a complete street for our entire city.”
City council a few years ago set aside $5 million in the budget to eventually get upgrades started on University. Final projected costs won’t be known until environmental studies and designs are completed.
Depending on the section of University, each fix will be different. Closer to the university, Costante hopes CIP funds from the city, similar to what is offered downtown, can spur residential growth right on the street such as apartment buildings to help accommodate the ongoing need for student rentals.
Hundreds of homes on residential streets in the area have been converted into student rentals.
Constructing apartment buildings on University, with the help of incentives, could help return many homes back into the hands of permanent residents and create a better-maintained, more stable community than currently exists, Costante said.
“If you do a proper job on the street, it will lend itself to amazing opportunities,” he said. “With a CIP, that could create a lot of development. It can become a highly-used corridor between the university and downtown with mixed use of commercial and residential.”
It would also slow the trend of property owners seeking to rip down homes in the area to construct multiplex dwellings for students — an issue that city council grappled with this week for two properties on California Avenue.
“What’s happening on California right now is emblematic of the problem,” Costante said. “You have had this massive shift from permanent residents to students. If we can attract (residential investment on University), a main street that can support high density, that hopefully over time will free up the homes again.
“You want a healthy blend of permanent residents and some university (rental) houses. With thoughtful planning we can get it right.”
The redesign is exciting to me. ... It can be the best example of a complete street for our entire city.