Downtown BIA paying for alley lighting, and launches online guide
The Downtown Windsor Business Improvement Association announced a pair of initiatives Tuesday aimed at drawing more people to the city’s core and making them feel more safe while they visit.
The DWBIA unveiled a 64-page digital guide on its website downtownwindsor.ca covering all that downtown has to offer, from restaurants, pubs and retail to why you should consider living downtown.
In addition, the association also put out a request for bids on installing LED lighting in three downtown alleys.
Getting illuminated will be the alley that runs north-south between Pelissier Street and Victoria Avenue; the alley that runs northsouth from Park Avenue West to Maiden Lane West; and the alley that runs north-south between Chatham Street East and University Avenue East.
The DWBIA is covering the approximately $20,000 cost of the project.
“They’re the alleys that are the most travelled and we’ve had the most complaints about from residents and businesses,” said Larry Horwitz, chair of the DWBIA. “We’ve consulted with the police and the University of Windsor about the placement of the lights. We don’t want any dark spots. “There are thousands of student who are moving and coming downtown for classes and we want them to feel safe.”
Horwitz feels the lights will help address some of the safety concerns that may make people hesitate to come downtown at night. He believes it will also create economic opportunities. “We’ve already seen an alley like Maiden Lane become a tourist attraction with all the murals and businesses,” Horwitz said. “I think it’ll be an economic generator. “In places like Toronto and in Detroit, which has the Belt next to the Z Garage, alleys are a whole different experience.”
Bids to install the lighting will be taken until July 17, with plans to have the lights in place before school begins.
In creating a pedestrian friendly and safe environment, the DWBIA guide will provide the digital map of how to enjoy it.
The guide was produced by local firm Generator Digital and was a year in the making. It’s designed to be easily accessed by smartphones. “We really didn’t have a vehicle that we could get in the hands of every visitor or resident in the region,” said executive director Debi Croucher.
“Originally it was going to be smaller, but as we got going on it we realized how much we have to offer downtown. It’s a very visual guide and an easy read.”
It’s also proven an early hit with advertisers and local business. Eighty per cent of the cost of the first edition was covered by ad sales, with the association covering the rest.
A half-page ad cost $350 while a full page was $500 for the first six months. New editions will be produced twice annually.
“It’s designed to be really cost effective for those small businesses that are tight and don’t have a marketing budget,” Croucher said. The guide will be updated regularly with events keeping it as current as possible.
“We’ll track the analytics of how its being used and where visitors to the site are coming from,” Croucher said. “Every page is tagged with links back to advertisers. It you have a presence on any social media, you’ll have the ability to link back.
“We can customize it and upgrade it quickly, such as if the casino adds a concert.”