Planned overhaul of Windsor riverfront festival plaza would cost $20M, city report says

Redevelopment of Windsor's Riverfront Festival Plaza has been discussed for years, but now there's a recommended design — and its estimated price tag is $20 million.

On Jan. 13, at city council's first regular meeting of the new year, administration will present three options for an overhaul of the plaza space in front of the outdoor concert stage at 340 Riverside Dr. East.

The option advised by administration — called the "Dynamic Destination Design" — is the most expensive of the three, as well as the most feature-filled.

Design highlights include: A raised platform that can act as a secondary stage, two "modern shade structures," two water jet features with lights and spray, an "iconic centrepiece" tree — ideal for seasonal holiday decoration, and plenty more.

That's on top of added green space and landscaped walking paths.

According to the report, the design aims to "create an immersive experience," as well as a "vibrant, year-round public space."

Administration estimates the project will require $11.9 million for construction, $4.2 million for engineering and fees, and $3.9 million for contingencies.

The $20-million design is less costly and less ambitious than ideas for the plaza discussed at the start of 2024, when there were suggestions of a $67-million canopy enveloping the plaza.

Two other, cheaper options are also being presented in the new report.

The second option, "Functional Elements," has an estimated cost of $17 million. It loses most of the first option's highlights except for one water feature, but keeps the green space and the walking paths.

The third option, "Simple Features," only has the green space and walking paths, at a cost of $13 million.

Downtown's Ward 3 Coun. Renaldo Agostino has been campaigning for a festival plaza upgrade since long before he was elected in 2022. He argues there are good reasons to go for the $20-million option.

"Everything in that option will give that place not just a chance to survive, but really a chance to thrive," Agostino said. "If you're going to do something, you just gotta do it right."

According to Agostino, history has shown that "piecemeal" improvements aren't effective for the downtown core, and what's needed to make the festival plaza attractive and useful is a commitment to transformation.

"It is a beautiful site with the most gorgeous skyline, that could really be something that draws more people to our downtown... That Option A, for me, is certainly the one that I'm looking at supporting."

But Ward 1 Coun. Fred Francis — who has spoken against other multi-million-dollar downtown projects such as the streetcar showcase and the new skating rink — isn't pleased about more spending on what he considers unnecessary new infrastructure.

"The plan might say $20 million, but I wouldn't be surprised if it's far north (of that)," Francis said. "Regardless, $20 million right now on the festival plaza — It's a current, existing infrastructure piece of the City of Windsor that's not crumbling, it's not falling apart. It's just not a priority."

"It's not a need, it's certainly a want — and it's not something we should be focusing on right now."

Asked if he feels the city is focusing too much on downtown spending, Francis replied: "Absolutely. I think it's out of balance right now."

"We have to take into consideration the economic realities of the day. We still have the highest unemployment in the country. We still have the highest tax increase that we're facing in 20 years. We still have a number of infrastructure challenges with respect to roads and sewers."

"We have other priorities that we need to focus on, other than Riverfront Festival Plaza."