Windsor approves $20M Festival Plaza redesign, construction timeline uncertain

Concept plans for Festival Plaza near 340 Riverside Drive East in Windsor, Ont. (Source: City of Windsor)

Windsor city council has approved a $20-million master plan to redevelop Festival Plaza — but construction isn’t starting just yet.

On Monday, councillors voted 8-3 to endorse the priciest of three options for revitalizing the riverfront space. The plan focuses on improving functionality, safety, aesthetics and mitigating the “heat island effect,” according to a city report.

Dubbed “Dynamic Destination,” the design features modern shade structures, water elements, flexible event spaces, raised seating walls and versatile sea container kitchens.

The vote represents approval of a master plan only. Additional council votes will be needed to unlock the funds for construction.

Event organizer Seth Perera, a former site promoter for Bluesfest which last took place at Festival Plaza in 2019, said many events have avoided the space due to the high costs for outfitting.

“I think having those elements brought in, such as tenting or umbrellas, chained areas and washrooms will just make the space more attractive to promoters and will drive more business,” said Perera, adding that Festival Plaza could also function as a community space during the day.

“Picture a family walking through downtown in the afternoon, on the riverfront, and now they stop because there’s a family-oriented concert on one of the smaller stages that breaks up their walk.”

Supporters of the master plan argued that redesigning Festival Plaza would also serve as an economic boost to nearby businesses — particularly along Ouellette Avenue.

Renaldo Agostino, city councillor for Ward 3 which includes downtown, cited Detroit’s Hart Plaza as an example of how a well-designed outdoor space can benefit the local economy.

He pointed to Detroit’s Hart Plaza as an example where people could attend an event there in the evening and then spend the rest of their night at nearby bars and restaurants downtown.

Addressing his fellow councillors, Agostino urged them to embrace the Dynamic Destination redesign, saying Windsor needs to adapt to the times.

“You’re never going to have the days of having these giant events that fill up Festival Plaza once a week. It’s not going to happen. But you can have four small events on the same day.”

He also pointed to the Jackson Park Bandshell as an example of an entertainment space that deteriorated due to inaction.

“If we let this die today, it’s just going to keep going on and on until there’s nobody left at Festival Plaza. But this time, our mistake won’t be hidden behind a baseball diamond or backed up to a football field. It’ll be right on our riverfront,” said Agostino.

He envisions the redeveloped Festival Plaza hosting night markets, holiday events and Bright Lights Windsor.

“This is our riverfront. That’s our jewel. That’s our Niagara Falls. That is what we should show love to,” said Agostino.

However, not everyone supports the plan. Area resident Neil Mens criticized all three proposed designs, calling them too costly for taxpayers.