DWBIA parking garage plan opposed

Members of the Downtown Windsor Business Improvement Association will have a chance to discuss a plan to take over the Pelissier Street parking garage before the association  launches an initiative to fill its underutilized retail and commercial spaces, said the group’s chairman.

Countering criticism from real estate developer Joe Mikhail, who says the plans is beyond the scope and mandate of the DWBIA, Larry Horwitz said “we’re trying to create the right balance of retail downtown and it’s part of an incentive plan to attract the right mix into the core.

“And we’re going to have a meeting of the members within the next month, that’s not an issue,” said Horwitz.

Earlier, Mikhail said he would be reviewing his legal options if the DWBIA didn’t seek membership approval to move ahead with the plan.

Following up on a suggestion from Mayor Eddie Francis, the DWBIA is considering leasing the empty retail space on the ground floor of the garage for $1 but  Mikhail of Mikhail Holdings Ltd.  said that such a plan is “beyond the scope and mandate of the DWBIA and it would be funding competition for its current members.

“An organization that collects a levy or a tax from its membership should retain its focus and not use that money to make capital acquisitions,” said Mikhail. “The city is only doing its job to try and find a solution to that garage’s problems  but it’s well outside what should be the responsibility of the DWBIA.”

Mikhail said he wants the DWBIA to have membership approval before it commits to a capital restoration project which the developer said could cost between $300,000 and $400,000.

“Is it now the DWBIA’s responsibility to acquire real estate and further compete with its members on leasing,” said Mikhail in an email to city CAO Helga Reidel.

Horwitz said taking over the parking garage and attempting to fill its retail space is part of an incentive plan announced recently which would see the DWBIA pay up to $650 a month in rental subsidies for one year to attract such businesses as a bakery, hardware store or bookstore top the core.

The garage, which has suffered from water damage issues for years, is currently underutilized as a retail and commercial space.

Mikhail said he would rather see the ground floor space  made available for easy access surface parking which would help businesses in the core.

“There may well be enough parking downtown but it’s the kind of parking which can be an issue for some people who may not be comfortable utilizing parking garages,” said Mikhail.

Hotwitz said there is no lack of parking downtown but “there is a lack of basic retail.”