EnvisionF C ord ity: C m om unity C onversations F aS or hared C m om unity Vision

AR eport to the F CityR ord edevelopm t Com ittee: en m Novem 2011 ber
Envision Ford City: Community Conversations for a Shared Community Vision

When you dream alone, it remains just a dream. When you dream together, it is the beginning of a new reality. Brazilian Proverb

Mike Morency, Bachelor of Social Work Candidate University of Windsor Karlene Neilsen, MSW Stephen Lynn, B.A., M.A. Candidate Student Supervisors/Community Development Coordinators Ford City Neighbourhood Renewal Project September 2011

In collaboration with the Ford City Redevelopment Committee

TABLE OF CONTENTS
TABLE OF CONTENTS.................................................................................................. 3 ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS................................................................................................4 INTRODUCTION AND BACKGROUND............................................................................1 ENVISION FORD CITY PROJECT.....................................................................................2 Purpose and Objectives............................................................................................2 Methodology............................................................................................................ 3 Participation............................................................................................................. 4 FRAMEWORK FOR COMMUNITY CONVERSATIONS........................................................5 COMMON THEMES.....................................................................................................18 Recommendations.....................................................................................................19 CONCLUSION............................................................................................................. 21 APPENDIX A: Ford City Redevelopment Committee................................................25 APPENDIX B: Participant Suggestions and Quotes..................................................26 APPENDIX C: Summary of Recommendations to Revitalize Ford City......................33

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
The author of this report gratefully recognizes the support of the following individuals and groups for their part in helping the people of Ford City express their vision for their community. Thanks to Marina Clemens, Executive Director of Drouillard Place, Karlene Nielsen and Stephen Lynn, Community Development Coordinators for the Ford City Neighbourhood Renewal Project, for their support of this project, the background materials they provided as well as their daily encouragement, advice and direction. Thank you to the following individuals for hosting the Community Conversations: Reverend Kevin Rogers from New Song Church, Kerry Ippollito from Maisonville Court, Jann Wild from Drouillard Place Terrace, Kenn Little from the Gino Marcus Community Complex, Sean Marcotte and Megan Cooke from the Drouillard Place Teen Centre and Paula Saunders from the Drouillard Place Ontario Early Years Centre. Special thanks to our project sponsors: Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation, for funding the outreach, supplies for each session, printing the final report and the community forum to disseminate the finding. Thank you as well to Henrys Photo-Video-Digital for supplying cameras and photo developing for the PhotoVision project, McDonalds Canada for supplying gift certificates for the youth who participated and each host site for providing refreshments. Several individuals provided invaluable assistance as the project took shape. Mary Medcalf, Coordinator of Field Education Programs, School of Social Work, University of Windsor was a tremendous help in evaluating and advising the work. Paul Born of the Tamarak Institutes Community Conversations model provided the structure for the sessions. Judith Binder of Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation consulted with the author as the project evolved and provided funding for the final report to the community. Finally, the reports of Barry Horrobin of the Windsor Police Service and Bob Hayes, MCIP were invaluable resources in understanding the background for the project and the resulting recommendations. Thanks to the Ford City Redevelopment Committee for approving the project and lending their support to this very important community engagement process (see Appendix A for a list of Committee members). Most importantly, thank you to the people of Ford City. Residents, property owners, tenants, business operators, and community leaders gave their time to attend iv

the sessions. Your ideas, comments, hopes and dreams are the substance of this report. As promised, this report is for you, for it is Your Vision for Your Community that counts most!

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
In April, 2011, the Ford City Redevelopment Committee (FCRC), through the Ford City Neighbourhood Renewal Project (FCNRP), a Community-University Partnership, launched a

three-month initiative to engage area residents, property owners and, community and business leaders in an asset and strengths-focused dialogue to develop a shared community vision. Entitled Envision Ford City the strategy utilized a series of ten Community Conversations to promote community discussion about the future of Ford City. The Conversations were held at various times and days to allow ample opportunity for stakeholder participation. In total, 72 individuals participated in 15 small groups to discuss and provide feedback on four questions: 1. What do you like about Ford City? What is good about your community? 2. What are the top ten words you would like people to use to describe Ford City in the Future? 3. What businesses would you like to see in Ford City? Is there a theme or concept you envision? 4. What could be done with vacant land in the community including the land between St. Luke and Walker? The data collected allowed the FCRC to: identify a set of recommendations which reflect the communitys vision, and determine if the recommendations align with previous reports regarding the redevelopment of Ford City gain insight about the redevelopment of Ford City from the ideas and vision expressed by the participants engage less engaged community members, including youth , seniors, and people with disabilities in developing the vision for Ford City After a thematic analysis of the content of the Community Conversations, several themes emerged, including the desire to have Ford City seen as safe, caring, and prosperous, and as a unique, artistic, urban village, with a strong connection to its heritage as the birthplace of the automobile in Canada. Specifically, four themes emerged: 1. Safety and security: Overwhelmingly, participants indicated that they wanted a safe and secure community. 2. Community Connectivity: Participants strongly value their social connections and see these as a key part of the redevelopment efforts. vi

3. Activity generation: Participants recognize that the community needs people to visit and conduct business to make the business district viable. 4. Thriving commercial corridor: Participants recognize that the feel of the business district forms the sense of community surrounding it. The Community Conversations yielded five new recommendations: 1. Evaluating, mitigating, and redeveloping the former industrial lands between Walker and St. Luke Roads 2. Repurposing the former Holy Rosary Parish into a shared community arts and heritage Centre 3. Redeveloping the Ford City Business District into an Urban Artisan Village with a strong heritage theme 4. Executing a program to foster positive community self-image and vision 5. Developing a set of financial incentives for current and future investors In order to facilitate the successful achievement of the aforementioned recommendations, participants made the following recommendations: 1. Form an Arts and Heritage Advisory Panel made of representative from the arts and heritage community to advise on the development of Ford City as an Artisan Village and Heritage Community. 2. Gather, and curate Ford City memorabilia, photographs and historic documents, ensuring they are properly documented and stored for future use. 3. Re-establish a Ford City Discovery Centre or Ford City Museum.

It is important to note that the Community Conversations confirmed the majority of the recommendations contained in previous planning and community reports. This is a significant conclusion as it provides the FCRP and FCRC with a blueprint for change that is supported by all stakeholders. The Community Conversations process confirmed that the residents and other key stakeholders share the same vision. This is critical at a time when there is such a synergy of efforts by community groups, recommendations by experts, engagement of the community and favourable public policy. The next step is to continue to build the communitys social capital vii

and secure the public and private investments that will be necessary to make the communitys vision a reality. Given Ford Citys bold and visionary thinking, community engagement and diverse partnerships, Ford City can become the best place to live, work, worship and play.

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INTRODUCTION AND BACKGROUND

While smaller than the Ford City boundaries that existed at amalgamation in 1935, the geographic area for this report (as shown in Map 1) is bound by Riverside Drive on the North, Seminole Road on the South, Ford Motor Company lands on the East, and Walker Road on the West. Ford City was a boom town toward the end of the industrial revolution (1905 1930). In 1915, Ford City was incorporated into a town as its workforce transitioned into a manufacturing role from a farming community. The town layout was developed quickly to meet the needs of a growing economy and demanding residents because of the vibrant growth of Ford. It did not have a comprehensive plan designed to nurture growth and separate uses like the neighbouring town of Walkerville. For this reason, future development in Ford City would prove to be a challenge because of its unique land uses and neighbourhood dynamic.
Map 1

When Ford Motor Company relocated to Oakville, Ontario in 1953 the community experienced a significant economic downturn. This downturn led to the closure of most of the commercial enterprise in the area. Since the mid-1970s there have been a number of reports and community initiatives aimed at renewing Ford City. The federal governments Residential Rehabilitation Assistance Program (1975-1983) led to a number of physical improvements in the neighbourhood. In subsequent years (1983-1987), the Drouillard Road Corridor Commercial Improvement Study and Drouillard Road Rehabilitation Project led to faade improvement in the 1000 block of Drouillard Road. The Cadillac Street Improvement Plan was implemented from 1993-1997. The City of Windsor acquired properties on the East side of Cadillac for the use of the Ford Motor Company, which eventually were exchanged for the land at the Ford Test Track. Much of the land was cleared and a landscaped berm and boundary fence were installed. The New Vision of the Ford City 1

Business District began in 1997 and led to streetscaping initiatives, mural projects, several economic and social planning reports and needs assessments, Community Improvement Plans and environmental assessments. Most recently, work in Ford City centred on the recommendations contained in a trio of reports which analyzed current and past redevelopment efforts through the lens of organizational planning, urban planning and crime prevention and led to the Ford City Neighbourhood Renewal Project (FCRP). Administered by Drouillard Place (DP) and overseen by the FCRC, the FCRP is funded by the Pristine Power Sustainability Fund and the local United Way. In partnership with the University of Windsor, the FCRP uses a community-university partnership model to advance the Universitys mission to promote student and university civic engagement and to advance the goals of neighbourhood renewal The FCRP has resulted in several positive outcomes for the community. As noted by the United Way Centraides Windsor-Essex Countys Impact Council in their feedback report, the initiative has met with many successes including the diversity of the strategy, the extensive use of volunteers, the diversity of the outreach and public education and the ability to leverage resources. Given the successes of the FCRP and the assessed readiness of the Ford City community to continue the work toward the revitalization of the area, the FCRP developed a project to gather additional feedback from community stakeholders. Entitled Envision Ford City, the project was designed and led by a social work student from the University of Windsor as part of the required practicum for the Bachelor of Social Work degree. Paul Borns (2008) Community Conversations provided the structure for the community consultation. The FCRP hoped that the Community Conversations would reveal a shared community vision that could inform the ongoing work of the FCRC by engaging area residents, property owners, organizational leaders and business operators in an asset- and strengths-focused dialogue.

ENVISION FORD CITY PROJECT

Purpose and Objectives
The primary purpose of holding Community Conversations within the Ford City neighbourhood was to broaden the scope of what we learned from the two previous studies, Revitalization Prospects: Ford City Drouillard Road Neighbourhood; A Report to the Ford City Redevelopment Committee (October 2009) and the Crime Prevention through Environmental Design Audit (CPTED). The Community Conversations allowed anyone within the boundaries of Ford City to express their dreams for the future development of Ford City. The FCRC members wanted to 2

ensure that the broader communitys perspective aligned with the recommendations within the two previous reports.

Methodology
Envision Ford City utilized a series of ten Community Conversations. In each session, participants were seated in small groups of 4-5 and were asked to discuss four questions. A spokesperson from the group then reported the results back to the larger gathering for further discussion. Where appropriate, the Facilitator asked follow-up questions to gain clarity on the groups response. All individual and group responses were recorded using a group response sheet, flip-chart notes and a staff note-taker. Across the ten sessions, feedback was gathered from fifteen groups. Group responses were tabulated according to the frequency of the response and then further delineated according to themes. Given the nature of discussion groups most groups had more than one comment in response to a particular question and often responses covered a number of questions, so the final report does not present the themes as mutually exclusive. As a result it should be noted that most reported group responses will be greater than fifteen (see Appendix B for a more detailed record of participant responses). . Discussion Questions 1. What do you like about Ford City? What is good about your community? 2. What are the top ten words you would like people to use to describe Ford City in the Future? a. If you were blind folded and dropped off at your ideal version of Ford City what would you see when the blindfold was removed? 3. What businesses would you like to see in Ford City? Is there a theme or concept you envision? 4. What could be done with vacant land in the community including the land between St. Luke and Walker? a. What could be done with the individual in-fill lots in the community? b. What could be done with the former Holy Rosary church building? 3

Participation
To promote participation in Community Conversations, Facilitators: distributed flyers to all homes in Ford City (832) placed a large ad on the front page of the Ford City newsletter which was delivered to all homes in Ford City (832) created an online registration site sent an email invitation to all contacts in the FCNR database (177) posted several notices on social media sites such as Facebook and Twitter distributed 600 additional flyers throughout the community at neighbourhood events, stores, and local agencies Seven sessions were offered to the general public on various dates and times to provide the most flexibility for those wishing to attend, with morning, afternoon, and evening sessions offered on both weekdays and weekends. Three additional sessions were offered to allow teens, parents with young children, and business leaders to participate (see Table 1). Childcare and refreshments were available at all sessions. In total, 72 individuals participated in the Community Conversations providing a reasonable sample size and representing a cross section of Ford City stakeholders (see Table 1). As noted in Table 2, of the 72 participants, the majority (79.4%) were residents of Ford City, female (67.6%) and over 18 years of age (77.9%). Table 1 - Community Conversation Dates and Attendance # Date and Day
June 2, 2011 June 2, 2011 June 3, 2011 June 9, 2011 June 11, 2011 June 16, 2011 June 18, 2011 June 25, 2011

Time
10:00AM 2:00PM 6:30PM 6:00PM 2:00PM 6:00PM 2:00PM 5:00PM

Location
New Song Church Maisonville Court New Song Church Drouillard Place Terrace Drouillard Place Terrace Gino Marcus Community Complex Gino Marcus Community Complex Gino Marcus Community

Focus
General Public General Public / Older Adults/ Persons with Disabilities General Public General Public General Public General Public General Public Teens 12 18

Attendees
7 20 9 5 0 5 3 10

July 5, 2011 July 14, 2011

9:30AM 10:00AM

Complex Drouillard Place Early Years Centre Gino Marcus Community Complex

Parents of Young Children Business and Organization Leaders

9 4

Table 2 Envision Ford City Project Participant Demographics Total # Total Sessions Attendees 10 72 Total Groups 15 Ford City Resident 54 79.4% 0 13 4 4.7%

Male 22 32.4%

Female 46 67.6%

14-18 15 17.4 %

18+ 67 77.9 %

FRAMEWORK FOR COMMUNITY CONVERSATIONS

Question 1 - What do you like about Ford City? What is good about your community? As noted in Figure 1, the most frequent responses to these questions were the sense of community (48), the character of the environment (39) and the amenities or services available (20). Overall, the participants indicated that Ford City has a strong sense of community with friendly people, who look out for one another. A less frequent, but notable response is that the neighbourhood has potential for revitalization (15). These areas are more fully described below.

Figure 1. Positive Aspects of Ford City

Sense of Community: Participants contrasted Ford City to the typical suburban subdivision. They expressed that Ford City had a small town feel, and that people know each other. Further, they stated that residents are quick to rally together for a cause. They believe that the community is comfortable and walkable. Additionally, they pointed to the long history of residents working together through past groups like the East Windsor Citizens Committee, and the newly-formed Ford City Residents in Action Committee (FCRA). Finally, they spoke passionately about the events the community has been able to host such as the community celebration of the opening of the splash pad and the recent fireworks and barbeque in Drouillard Park. Character: Participants made frequent mention of the murals that have been painted and installed in the community, providing a creative, unique, and artistic character or feel. They cited a long history of entrepreneurs and felt there is much hidden talent in the community. Participants also spoke passionately about the communitys place in history and the historical character of its buildings. They noted that the community is the birthplace of the automobile in Canada, former boat factories and is home to the historical Holy Rosary church. Churches & Service Providers: There is a strong appreciation for the service providers in the community including: Drouillard Place, New Beginnings, Spirit of Excellence, and the Gino & Liz Marcus Community Complex. Participants stated that people could come to the community and expect to get their needs met. They also mentioned the programs available for children and the space available for community groups to meet and host events. Furthermore, participants 6

stated that they value the ease of access to amenities such as parkland, recreation space, recreational programs, the riverfront and public transportation. Finally, participants expressed a strong appreciation for the churches and faith groups in the community. Several specifically mentioned New Song Church and the programs they offer. One participant stated they felt that God hangs out here [on Drouillard]. Potential: Participants felt their community has a strong potential to grow due to the affordable space available for artists and new businesses. Further, they felt the community is already growing and improving and that things are coming together, through the efforts of individual property owners and groups like the FCNRC, the FCRAC and the FCRC. Question 2 What are the top ten words you would like people to use to describe Ford City in the Future? Participants expressed a strong vision for the future of their community utilizing words such as vibrant, amazing, transformed, walkable, and unique. As in Question 1, responses reflect that a high value is placed upon the people and social connections as well as the character of the physical environment. Participants expressed a strong desire to have Ford City seen as safe and welcoming. They stated that they wanted their community to be seen as a vibrant and prosperous urban village, like Kensington Market in Toronto, with a unique character and an eclectic mix of businesses. As noted in Figure 2, the words that participants hope will be used to describe the community fall into 6 categories: vibrant (34), safe (25), friendly (22), with character (22), an urban village (17) and transformed (14).

Figure 2. Top Words to Describe Ford City

Vibrant: The dominant theme presented for the future of Ford City, by participants was that of a busy, bustling, active, alive, and moving community. They stated they wanted people to think of it as a fun, exciting, dynamic, and amazing place, full of opportunity. Further they want to see a business district which is thriving, successful, and prosperous. Participants envision streets bustling with people and activity. They see a community where there is never a dull moment, with lots of activities for everyone. Safe: Safety and security were frequent themes in discussions on all questions. The participants recognize the community has a negative reputation for safety and would like that to change in the future. Groups stated that they wanted people to feel welcome in a clean, "beautiful, walkable, and relaxing environment. They envision beautiful homes that have been restored and are well-kept, and a business district that has lots of flowers and greenery, relaxing spaces and cafs. Character: Many groups indicated they wanted the rich character of the community to be a hallmark of its identity in the future. They envision a creative community of artisans, with a strong arts feel where artists and the general public can interact. They also expressed a desire for the community to be a place where history is celebrated, historic buildings restored, and the public educated through tours, heritage plaques and photo displays.

Friendly: Participants consistently identified friendliness as both a current condition and a trait they wanted their community to be known for in the future. Groups used the terms nice, caring, helpful, and accommodating to peoples needs to describe some of the social characteristics which they hope will be part of their future. Furthermore, they stated they want community members to remain connected to each other and tight-knit. In addition they strongly expressed a desire to have the community known as a kid-friendly or family- friendly place to live or visit.

Transformed: Participants expressed a strong desire for change. They want Ford City to be seen as building, and growing. This includes having existing properties restored or repurposed as well as having the vacant lands in the community developed so they contribute to the life of the community. Several groups expressed pride in how far [the community] has come and would like people to see a completely transformed Ford City in the future. Further, groups indicated they would like Ford City to be well-known for good things. They would like their community to be respected around the city similar to other areas that have undergone transformation such as the Walkerville and Erie street areas.

Urban Village: Participants consistently expressed that they envision Ford City as an urban village, a place that is a destination, where people can find unique items, they cant get anywhere else. They picture an eclectic mix of shops, artistic storefronts cafes, craft vendors, live music and art, and a farmers market. They also described a place where you could walk to work and shop, like parts of Toronto or the San Francisco Arts District.

Question 3a - What businesses would you like to see in Ford City?

The businesses the participants stated they would like to see in the community represent both the practical and the visionary. Businesses that meet the daily needs of the people in any neighbourhood are desired in Ford City, such as a general store to buy small gifts or hardware items as well as a full-line grocery store to purchase less expensive food items, fruit, vegetables and meats. In addition, participants expressed a strong desire to see the business district become something distinct in the broader community. 9

Reflecting their desire to be known as an urban village or arts district the businesses they desire to see in the community both support and build upon this theme. As noted in Figure 3, participants suggested the following potential businesses: speciality shops (16 participants), cafe (16 participants), general store (14 participants), restaurant (14 participants), art spaces and shops (13 participants), museum (13 participants) and grocery store (12 participants). These recommendations are discussed more fully below.

Figure 3. Potential Business Opportunities in Ford City

Specialty Shops: Participants expressed the desire for specialty shops and services including, a hair salon candy shop, ice cream shop, chocolatier and an upscale thrift/resale shop. As with many of the other types of stores indicated, participants expressed both a practical and visionary desire for these shops. They stated that these businesses would complement the feel or vibe we want to create. Caf: Participants expressed a strong desire to have a coffee shop, or caf where people could simply relax or possibly take in a jam session or open mic[microphone] night. They felt that a caf would draw people into the community and that it would create an urban village feel and be pedestrian-friendly. Related to this, participants expressed a desire for a bakery and deli, as a place to purchase an affordable sandwich with quality meats and fresh breads. 10

General Store: Many participants described the need for a store that would sell a variety of items at an affordable price. This store was referred to as a general store, dollar store, department store or a hardware store. Participants stated that they wanted a place where they could purchase nails, envelopes and stamps and small gifts. Some groups expanded upon this and suggested that they would like to see a mall in the community, either on the vacant industrial lands or by turn[ing] Drouillard Road into a mall. Restaurant: Participants stated that they would like to have an affordable, family-friendly, restaurant. They envisioned a place where people could grab a quick bite of lunch, or take the family without it costing a fortune. Further, some groups imagined a Bistro with a higher quality of food that could draw people into the community and serve those they hope will come into the neighbourhood for the arts and events. Art Spaces and Shops: Participants described a wide variety of arts-related businesses, including galleries, theatres, studio space, shops, and music or dance schools. They envisioned a community arts hub, a place to do, learn and display art for adults and kids. Participants expressed that they felt that an arts theme would draw in people, and give them a reason to hang around, eat and shop. They also expressed that artists are edgy and will put up with less than perfect living accommodations and community image. Artists would bring new energy to the community. Creation of an arts community could also help fill housing with students from the University who will be attending school downtown at the new Visual Arts Centre or School of Social Work. Museum: Several groups paired the arts theme with the communitys heritage and stated that the community should have a museum or education centre. Participants felt that Ford City would be the perfect place for a museum on the history of the area, the automobile, manufacturing, the labour movement, or even the great lakes and maritime [shipping]. Full-Line Grocery Store: Participants identified the need for a place to purchase fresh fruit and vegetables, at less expensive prices. Participants frequently expressed that they found it difficult to get to the [existing] grocery stores, and that they would like to have a grocery store in the community. Further, several groups suggested that a farmers market would be a good fit with community need and with the theme they envision. An open-air market or bazaar would 11

draw people into the community, and they would then stop for a coffee at a caf or visit an art studio. Question 3b Is there a theme or concept you envision? As noted in Figure 4, when asked if there was a theme or concept that participants envisioned for Ford City, responses, in rank order, were an artisan village (20 participants), an urban village (17 participants), a business incubator (10 participants) and a heritage district (6 participants). These themes and concepts are discussed in further detail below.

Figure 4. Potential Themes and Concepts for the Commercial Corridor in Ford City

Artisan Village: As discussed earlier, the majority of participants described an arts hub or artisan village when discussing their vision for the future of the community. They compared their vision to SOHO in New York, the Eastern Market in Detroit, and Kensington Market in Toronto. They described a community where artists and artisans live, work, conduct business and display their goods. Participants stated that an Artisan Village would work well with the Urban Village theme that others had described and would help create the vibe, or feel that an urban village needs. Urban Village: When speaking of an urban village, groups used terms such as small town, walkable, convenient, unique, eclectic, and specialty. Participants described a compact business district with a variety of specialty shops that would draw people from all over. They 12

frequently used communities like St. Jacobs, Fergus, and Paris, Ontario as examples of the business mix and feel they envision. Further, they described a community where people continue to be in touch with each other and their heritage. Business Incubator: Participants recognized the need for employment opportunities and expressed a desire to see jobs created in Ford City. They referred to the fact that most jobs are created by new businesses, and wanted to see Ford City become a business incubator, or employment generator. Further, they recognized that a stable business district is diversified, with a variety of businesses. To accomplish this, they suggested that the Ford City Business Improvement Association and FCRC seek ways to draw in creative entrepreneurs, and new businesses. Heritage District: Several groups pointed to the heritage of the community, describing a bustling, 1930s downtown, with buildings restored to their original facades. They suggested that buildings could have plaques placed on the front describing its original use, and be added to a tour guide for local history/heritage buffs. As well, participants suggested that a museum would add significantly to the community and draw people in, giving them a reason to visit.

Question 4 - What could be done with vacant land in the community including the land between St. Luke and Walker? Overall, participant responses ranged from simple clean-up activities to employment generating, recreation, arts or community activity use. However, as there are several distinct types of vacant land in the community, this question was further delineated to seek group suggestions for the future use of: the former Holy Rosary Church the riverfront lands which are currently owned by Ford Motor Company individual vacant lots, or in-fill lots in the community the former industrial land between Walker Road and St. Luke Road

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Ideas for the Repurposing of Holy Rosary Church: When asked what could be done with the former Holy Rosary Church the majority of participants (12) suggested an Arts Centre, while 10 participants suggested that the church could become a community museum (Figure 5). While not vacant land, participants in the first session identified this property as significant to the community. As such, the project facilitators included this as a follow-up question in all of the other sessions. Participants at all sessions expressed the importance of preserving, and repurposing this heritage building which then should be used to benefit the community, and have an educational aspect to it. Figure 5. Ideas for the Repurposing of Holy Rosary Church

Arts Centre: Many groups envisioned Holy Rosary Church as a shared arts space. Participants suggested that the auditorium could become the new home for the Windsor Symphony, as well as open for community theatre groups, and concerts. They also suggested that the basement could be used as an arts learning centre, where people of all ages can learn and create art. Participants stated that sharing the space would make the facility more financially viable. Additionally, participants felt that this concept would work well with the museum described below, located in the basement.

Museum: Throughout the Community Conversations participants discussed the importance of the communitys heritage and suggested that the former Holy Rosary would be the perfect facility for a museum, possibly with the assistance of the Chimchuk Funds held by the City of 14

Windsor. Participants suggested combining several concepts, such as an automotive museum, a Ford Motor Company of Canada Museum, a great lakes or maritime museum, a manufacturing museum, and a labour movement museum. Participants expressed that each of these would draw people from across the country to visit Ford City.

Ideas for the Redevelopment of Vacant Property in Ford City: Ford City currently has many vacant lots, both in the business district along Drouillard Road, and on the residential streets to the East and West. While participants discussed the vacant residential lots, group responses primarily referred to the vacant commercial properties in the community. As such the responses reflect participant suggestions for those lands. Additionally, participants identified the alleys to the East and West of Drouillard as under-utilized and suggested improving them or treating them as art/event spaces as described below. It should be noted that not all groups addressed this question, resulting in lower numbers. When asked what should be done with individual vacant properties in Ford City, the majority of participants (18) stated that these lands could be used for new and revived commercial or residential, while 6 participants suggested the land could be used for arts and events and 5 participants stated that there may be opportunities for employment generating projects (see Figure 6).

Figure 6. Ideas for the Redevelopment of Vacant Property in Ford City

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New and Improved Commercial or Residential: Several groups suggested that to build the kind of vibrant business district they envision, new commercial spaces, parking, and housing are needed. Existing properties must be improved with the grass cut, old vehicles and garbage removed. Participants expressed that new developments should match the character of the community, while providing the flexibility of new construction for business owners.

Arts/Events Space: Participants frequently referenced the current use of the Whelpton Parkette as a successful model of redevelopment. They suggested that several more vacant lots should be converted to arts spaces for murals, living art walls, sculptures or outdoor concerts. Participants stated that this would help build the artisan village/urban village feel that they desire and would attract more visitors. Some participants stated that they have seen these types of properties in cities like Chicago and elsewhere.

Employment Generating: Participants recognized the need for employment generating activities and strongly suggested that these be placed in the vacant properties on Drouillard. They stated that these new businesses would give people jobs and draw people to the area. Additionally, they expressed that if there are things to do, and people work here, people will want to live here. Ideas for Repurposing of Industrial Lands on St. Luke Road: The former industrial lands between Walker and St. Luke Roads presented participants with a more difficult consideration as many recognized that due to previous use, the land may be contaminated and thus they were unsure what, if anything, could be built on these lands. While a significant majority wanted to see new development on the land, many indicated that recreational use may be the only option. All participants stated that better use of these lands would open the community up to the rest of the city, allowing people from outside the community to more easily visit Ford City. As previously noted, the majority of participants (10) stated that the land should be used for recreation, while 7 suggested building housing on these lands, 6 expressed there may be opportunity to develop employment generating projects and 5 recommended developing commercial space (see Figure 7).

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Figure 7. Ideas for Repurposing of Industrial Lands on St. Luke Road

Recreational Space: Many groups indicated that they would like to the see the space developed, but that it was impossible. As such, they suggested recreational uses that would connect the community with the rest of the city, including walking/biking trails, an outdoor theatre, playground spaces, urban camping, paintball, baseball diamonds, skating rink, snowboarding hills and an outdoor roller rink. Participants felt that by creating a community recreational space, in conjunction with a new riverfront park on the Ford lands, it would anchor the community and draw people up the street, much like the beach does in Grand Bend. Housing: Several groups suggested these lands be used to develop new housing. They suggested that it be geared-to-income, or mixed-income to help meet the need in the City of Windsor and maintain the character of the community. Participants felt that additional housing would provide a larger base of support for local businesses, and more eyes on the street, to improve safety and security. Employment Generating: Many groups stated that they would like to see the land redeveloped in such a way as to create jobs. They stated that they saw the potential to develop light industrial like on Rhodes drive, a business incubator park like they have in Waterloo, or a green farming hub with greenhouses growing organic produce.

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Commercial/Institutional: Some groups expressed that the land should house new commercial space a plaza like what was put on the industrial lands at MacDougal and Tecumseh. Others suggested that the land be used to attract new institutions like a campus for the University or College or a nursing home.

COMMON THEMES
Several themes became evident as each group provided feedback through the Community Conversation process. The Facilitator also tracked the number of individual responses on a given theme to help gauge the strength of the communitys response to the questions. A summary of participants vision for their community are captured in the themes below.

Safety and security: Overwhelmingly, participants indicated that they wanted a safe and secure community. Whether described in terms of crime reduction or property improvement, they indicated that they wanted to have a community where they could comfortably walk up and down the streets. They reiterated they want a community that is free of the stigma and stereotypes attached to the community and where people are comfortable to visit, shop and live.

Community Connectivity: Participants strongly value their social connections and see these as a key part of the redevelopment efforts. While they recognize that they will require government and corporate support to achieve their goals of revitalization, they want to be active partners in the rebuilding process and cited the FCRA as a one way for the community to have a voice. They suggested that the social connections can be strengthened and enhanced is so that their community will be known as a caring, connected community that embraces people from all walks of life and helps residents achieve a successful life. Activity generation: Participants recognize that the community needs people to visit and conduct business to make the business district viable. They frequently referred to increasing foot traffic and envision a bustling community where people from outside the community come to visit. Whether it is through increased housing, unique businesses, arts and recreation activities or new business ventures, participants want to see a significant increase in the number of people who are in Ford City on any given day. 18

Thriving commercial corridor: Participants recognize that the feel of the business district forms the sense of community surrounding it. They consistently stated that they want Ford City to be a prosperous, urban village with a strong arts and heritage theme. They envision Ford City as "memorable and remarkable." "It has got its own personality, its own signature. When people are on that block, they know where they are. It's so rich that I could take 500 walks up and down the sidewalk and every time I take that walk I see something new" (Jarvis, 2011).

RECOMMENDATIONS
The Community Conversations confirmed the majority of the recommendations contained in previous planning and community reports. This is an important conclusion as it provides the FCRP and FCRC with a blueprint for change that is supported by all stakeholders (see Appendix C for a full list of recommendations to revitalize Ford City which have been organized according to four themes: Safety and Security; Community Image Renewal; Community Engagement; and, Commercial Revitalization, which reflect themes identified previously. The recommendations have been further delineated as short-term (1-3 years), medium-term (3-5 years) and long-term (+ 5 years). Where a recommendation is compatible with those made in a previous report, the title and year of release have been provided). Five new recommendations emerged from the Community Conversations: 1. Evaluating, mitigating, and redeveloping the former industrial lands between Walker and St. Luke Roads 2. Repurposing the former Holy Rosary Parish into a shared community arts and heritage Centre 3. Redeveloping the Ford City Business District into an Urban Artisan Village with a strong heritage theme 4. Executing a program to foster positive community self-image and vision 5. Developing a set of financial incentives for current and future investors In order to facilitate the successful achievement of the aforementioned recommendations, participants made the following recommendations: 19

4. Form an Arts and Heritage Advisory Panel made of representative from the arts and heritage community to advise on the development of Ford City as an Artisan Village and Heritage Community. 5. Gather, and curate Ford City memorabilia, photographs and historic documents, ensuring they are properly documented and stored for future use. 6. Re-establish a Ford City Discovery Centre or Ford City Museum.

20

CONCLUSION
The project team sought to ensure that all interested parties were able to participate in this project. While the project Facilitators were able to secure a respectable sample size and a cross-section of Ford City stakeholders, the number of participants was limited. This project would have benefitted from a larger time frame in which to solicit additional participants and gather their feedback. However, the Envision Ford City project mirrors much of the literature related to urban renewal and community revitalization. Participants recommendations and insights are supported by research and by previous reports on the renewal of Ford City. The community expressed the desire to create an historic, urban village of artists and artisans. While there is a significant base of creativity upon which to build, this concept will require a concentrated effort by all stakeholders to transform part of the Ford City business district to a work and live space for artists. Gerard Lemos (2001) in his report to the City Bridge Trust noted the profound inter-relation of artist and community and that the artist depends on the community for his tone, his tempo, and his intensity (p.6). The artists innate desire to create, coupled with their inter-dependence upon the community, means they are ideal assets for community redevelopment. John McKnight, & John Kretzmann (1993), dedicate a chapter of their book, Building Communities From the Inside Out, to identifying and utilizing artists as assets in community building. The participants vision also aligns with the City of Windsors Cultural Master Plan which calls for an extension of public art, the development of cultural tourism, and the creation of live-work spaces for artists. The creation of an urban artisan village in Ford City will create a cultural tourist attraction with existing and additional public art and a living- working environment for artists and artisans. The communitys vision for the redevelopment of the parcels of vacant land and brownfields aligns with a number of professional reports and the City of Windsors planning recommendations. Figure 8 shows the value of brownfield redevelopment for the community. The City of Windsor recognizes this value and subsequently released its Brownfield Redevelopment Strategy and Community Improvement plan in 2010. The plan includes a list of priority sites, including several in Ford City, and a grant program to help off-set the cost of the

21

Environmental Assessment and Environmental Review Report and remediation for these properties. The City of Windsors Housing Analysis and Recommended Strategies Report, (2004), calls for the development of affordable housing on brownfield sites as well as infill housing in designated areas, including Ford City. This policy document not only supports the participants desire for redevelopment of the brownfield lands in Ford City, but also their desire for an increase in the number of affordable housing units in the community (p. 304-306). Figure 8. Benefits of Brownfield Redevelopment

Original source: Regional Analytics, 2002, Figure 2, p. 7.

Participants desire to preserve and repurpose heritage properties in Ford City reflects the City of Windsors Cultural Master Plan (2010). The report calls for the creation of cultural tourism, or place-based tourism as well as capacity building and financial support of cultural organizations. The City of Windsor has already recognized Our Lady of the Rosary (Holy Rosary Parish) as a heritage resource, and included it on its heritage inventory. In 1998, the Windsor Heritage Committee acknowledged the historical significance of Our Lady of the Rosary Church with a Built Heritage Award for the preservation of the architectural features, helping to maintain a link to the original Ford City. Combined, the Cultural Master Plan, (2010) and Holy Rosarys inclusion on the heritage inventory, support the vision of repurposing the facility into a shared community arts and heritage centre. Participants desire for Ford City to become a vital and vibrant community aligns with significant research in community redevelopment. Sheri Torjman of the Caledon Institute for 22

Social Policy, in her book Shared Spaces: the Communities Agenda, (2007), describes four dimensions of a resilient and vibrant community: sustenance, adaptation, engagement and opportunity. Each of these elements is present in Ford City and the next steps for Ford City may be to leverage these dimensions and work in what Torjman calls the shared space, to create synergy and redevelopment. Participants stated that they wanted Ford City to be a prosperous, welcoming, urban village, but, what would that look like? Ken Greenberg, author of Walking Home: The Life and Lessons of a City Builder, describes it this way; I can live here, I can work close at hand, I can go to the park, I can get a library book, my kids can go to school here (White, 2011). Dan Burden, an urban planner and creator of the non-profit group Walkable Communities, describes it this way: it has streetscapes that are rich and human and comfortable, lined with buildings that have lots of windows, with colour and texture like trees and planters and hanging baskets, benches to sit, lamps for evenings, ways to slow traffic (Jarvis, 2011). These authors are describing a walkable urban village such as the one envisioned by participants in the Envision Ford City project. The redevelopment of Ford City will benefit from the synergy of efforts by community groups, recommendations by experts, engagement of the community and favourable public policy. The next step now is to continue to build the communitys social capital and secure the public and private investments that will be necessary to make the communitys vision a reality. Given Ford Citys bold and visionary thinking, community engagement and diverse partnerships, Ford City can become the best place to live, work, worship and play.

REFERENCES
B.C. Healthy Communities. (2006). A Guide for Hosting Community Conversations. Victoria, B.C.: Author. Born, P. (2008). Community Conversation. Toronto: BPS Books. Bozikovic, K. (2011, July 1). Walking Home: The Life and Lessons of a City Builder. [Review of the book by: K. Greenberg. The Globe and Mail. Brown, J. (2005). The World Caf: Shaping our futures through conversations that matter. San Francisco: Berrett-Koehler Publishers. City of Windsor. (2007). By-Law 27-2007 Ford Powerhouse District Community Improvement Plan. Windsor, ON: Author. 23

City of Windsor. (2007). Official Plan, Neighbourhood Development Strategy, 1(3). Windsor, ON: Author. City of Windsor. (2004). Drouillard Road Park Redevelopment Plan. Windsor, ON: Author City of Windsor. (2004). Housing Analysis and Recommended Strategies Report. Windsor, ON: Author. Dillon Consulting Limited . (2007). Ford Powerhouse District Community Improvement Plan. Windsor, ON: Author. Hayes, R. (2009). Revitalization Prospects: Ford City-Drouillard Road Neighbourhood. Windsor, ON: Author. Horrobin, B. (2009). Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design Assessment Ford City B.I.A. Windsor, ON: Windsor Police Service. Jarvis, A. (2011, July 4). Fighting for the Citys Soles. The Windsor Star, A3. Kretzmann, J. & McKnight, J. (1993). Building Communities from the Inside Out: A path toward finding a mobilizing a communitys assets. Evanston, IL: The Asset-Based Community Development Institute. RCI Consulting, (2010). City of Windsor Brownfield Redevelopment Strategy and Community Improvement Plan. Windsor, ON: Author. Regional Analytics, (2002). A Preliminary Investigation into the Economic Impact of Brownfield Redevelopment Activities in Canada. Burlington, ON: National Roundtable on the Environment and the Economy. Medcalf, M. (2007). Priorities and Strategies for 2007/2008: Results from action planning sessions conducted in October 2007. Windsor, ON: Author Torjman, S. (2007). Shared Space: The Communities Agenda. Ottawa, ON: The Caledon Institute for Social Policy. Wheatley, M. (2002). Turning to one another. San Francisco: Berrett Koehler Publishers. White, S. (2011, July 5). Why Condo-Villes Dont Work. The Globe and Mail. World Caf Community. (2002). Caf to Go, A quick reference guide for putting conversations to work. San Francisco: Author.

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APPENDIX A: Ford City Redevelopment Committee

The Ford City Redevelopment Committee is made up of representatives of: the Ford City Residents in Action (3 members), the Ford City Business Improvement Area (3 members), and local non-profit organizations (6 members).

It is supported by resource delegates from: the City of Windsor, Planning Department the City of Windsor, Community and Cultural Services the University of Windsor, School of Social Work Windsor Police Service Canada Mortgage and Housing

The Ford City Development Committee works collaboratively with: The Ford City Business Improvement Area The Ford City Residents in Action The Ford City Neighbourhood Renewal Project Community Development Coordinators The Ford City Community Garden And other groups who share the goal of making Ford City the best place to live, work, worship, and play.

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APPENDIX B: Participant Suggestions and Quotes

Question # 1 - Participant suggestions for using these assets to improve Ford City: Build Upon Community Spirit: Participants urged that the strong community spirit be harnessed to facilitate redevelopment activities. Ideas put forward included: petition drives to secure policy change or government support, a neighbourhood watch program, or community projects like the Ford City Community Garden. There was also a strong call for more community events like the recently held fireworks and barbeque put on by the FCRA. However, participants emphasized the need for family and teen events, especially for those between 12 and 15 years. Further, several participants suggested developing a mentorship/leadership development program for area teens utilizing sports (tennis/hockey) in Drouillard Park. Capitalize upon Arts and History: Participants strongly identified with the rich history and artistic character of Ford City and recommended capitalizing on this in redevelopment efforts. Individuals suggested the creation of a Ford City Museum, an automotive/manufacturing museum, or, a labour movement museum. To coincide with this participants suggested the creation on an annual event, or Ford City Homecoming, featuring a classic car show similar to the Woodward Dream Cruise in Detroit. Further, they suggested that, the murals that are in place in the community could be used to draw visitors and business by creating and promoting a tour or exhibit of the murals and history of various buildings in Ford City. Market the area: Participants suggested that the business district could be promoted as an arts/artisans district, where artists/artisans could rent affordable studio or gallery space. It was also suggested that the small size of store fronts and affordable rents, could be used to promote the area to new business start-ups. Restore and Beautify: Participants stated Ford City has great bones, and suggested the older buildings be renovated or restored to their former glory and that those which are not structurally sound be torn down to provide parking. Further, that the under-utilized alleys be closed and turned into parking or walking/biking trails. Participants felt that better utilization of the existing sidewalk planter boxes and a adopt a street program would help make the community more clean and welcoming. Finally they felt the area parks should have more tables, benches, and things to do or look at.

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General Participant Comments on Question # 1 There is potential to grow with cheap property. There is a sense of family. There is a strong foundation upon which to build murals, parkettes, arts. Community is rich in history and stories. The viaduct could be improved by making an overpass as it is viewed by residents as a barrier between Maisonville Court and the rest of the Drouillard area. It is very difficult to navigate the steep inclines and heavy traffic, especially if you have mobility restrictions. Question # 2 - Participant suggestions for making these descriptions a reality in Ford City: Improve Safety: Participants would like to see a greater (more visible) police presence, with walking (or cycling) patrols. They suggested the need for more citizens to call the police, and that the community form a neighbourhood watch program. They also stated that there was a need for increased light, especially at the viaduct [at Wyandotte] and in the parks. Participants expressed that these measures would work alongside other measures to put more eyes on the street, making people feel more comfortable to walk the street and shop. Improve Appearance - General: Participants strongly expressed need for stronger enforcement of property standards, and suggested that derelict or unsafe buildings be torn down and not left as eye sores. They also expressed that, properties with broken windows need to [have them] fixed, and not just boarded up. Further, participants felt that efforts need to continue to clean up the neighbourhood, through projects like the recent Clean-Sweep. Improve Appearance Business District: To make the changes necessary in the business district, participants felt that there was a need for grants and incentives for people to purchase and restore buildings, or to open businesses in Ford City. Further, they felt that there was a need to get realtors, banks and insurance companies on board because it is next to impossible to get a bank to lend you money to purchase a property in Ford City, or insure to it. Several groups also stated that there was a need for additional parking and suggested that vacant lots could be turned into parking, and that if the City of Windsor owned any of these properties that 27

they should help the efforts by turning them into parking lots, community gardens or other community use space. Improve Image: To make Ford City the vibrant community they envision participants recognized the need for people to feel comfortable visiting and investing here. The safety and appearance improvements described above will help with this, but participants noted that work also must be done on the pre-existing reputation that Ford City has. To this end they suggested that a program be developed to increase peoples pride in their own community, and help them see what the community can become. Further, they suggested that there was a need for a positive media campaign, to get good news out to the media and help change their attitudes. General Participant Comments on Question # 2 To attract new business and creative entrepreneurs we need: o o o o vision, forward thinking, [that] moves past the good old days. The FCBIA working with residents. Business plan help [for new entrepreneurs]. Banking support- help getting loans. We should host a lending workshop with WFCU [Windsor Family Credit Union] for entrepreneurs interested in starting businesses in Windsor and show case Drouillard at the same time. More parking is needed. Parking needs to be convenient. Restored buildings and clean well maintained buildings and businesses will go a long way to improve the [communitys] image. General Participant Comments on Question # 3 Ford City could host gallery crawls similar to pub crawls. A true arts community could connect with music studios and do concerts and lessons. We need to take advantage of the heritage of the community as birthplace of the Moving businesses and/or artists down to Ford City will require a collaborative effort,

automobile. possibly even by a developer who may be interested in buying up the street and redeveloping it. 28

Downtown is known as a party place not an arts space. There are some [galleries] on Is there a name for a neighbourhood with all of this? o o o SOHO, Eastern Market, Kensington Market Like a small town in Europe. Artsy, Young and Smart!

Pelissier but street is dead and items are too expensive.

General Participant Comments on Question 4 Must be activity generating uses. Develop land to reduce the barriers between Walkerville and Ford City. Build co-op or social housing with mixed income housing. This will bring more people to Ford City and more people to support businesses. Possibly do this in partnership with Habitat for Humanity. Create Urban Farms. Build green houses with boutiques, plant nursery and

attractions like Colasantis. This will create jobs and traffic in the area. Need incentives for people to buy property and run businesses here. Possibly a financial co-operative. Need to have strong bylaws and enforcement, but friendly to investment. Need to have agreements with people purchasing here to maintain and develop property. There is a sense that the pieces are beginning to fall into place for Ford City.

Specific Ideas from Participants While not in response to a specific question, participants provided a number of creative ideas for improving Ford City. These have been included below.

Maisonville Court residents expressed that they were not as connected to the Ford City

community as they would like to be, citing difficulty accessing the community because of the 29

viaduct and lack of information. Participants strongly suggested that some form of level crossing be created to allow those in wheelchairs and walkers to access the rest of the community. Several participants stated that there is a need for winter activities to connect the

residents. Participants suggested the development of an Adopt a Street or Adopt a Zone program

in partnership with the City of Windsor. One participant suggested developing a Scarecrow contest utilizing the empty lots and

community garden. Similar to the bulls in Chicago, moose in Toronto, or the cars here in Windsor, the scarecrows would be made by artists and placed on display in the community. They would then be put up for sale. Especially if done with sponsorship support, this could be an affordable art opportunity for local and international artists, while drawing people into the community. Several participants suggested developing an Alley Festival with local vendors setting up

booths outdoors along the alleys to the East and West of Drouillard Road. Many of the youth participants stated that they missed the street hockey pad that was

removed from Drouillard Park and would like to see one installed on one of the tennis courts. They indicated that one is presently unused with no nets present and that it would be little cost to have permanent hockey nets and lines installed. Several participants suggested the creation of a Living Art Wall like in Chicago or

Pittsburgh. This would be a wall/space where artists (fine art and street art) can create public art pieces with the understanding that another artist may come along and paint over it or change it. One group suggested that this space have a webcam focused on it and streamed live on FCNR website. Many participants suggested that an incentive program be developed for people to buy, Further, they suggested the

and renovate property and run businesses in Ford City. possibility of developing a financial co-operative.

30

One participant commented that they see people in the neighbourhood by the

community centre taking pictures of buildings/murals a lot and suggested that a heritage tour be organized. They could park at the church and walk up and down Drouillard. Participants often referred to the deep roots which people have in the community, even if In light of this, they suggested having an

they have moved away. Further they stated that the Ford anniversary celebration that was previously held was a tremendous success. Cruise in Detroit. annual Ford City Homecoming including a classic car show similar to the Woodward Dream

General Comments from Participants Overall, participants were very pleased with the sessions with 96.0% stating that they felt that [their] ideas and opinions were heard. Further, 93.2% stated that the experience as positive. Some of the general comments provided by participants are shown below. Please provide advance notice for community forums at least three weeks. Provide transportation and make wheelchair accessible for community forums. Please contact us through Facebook. Capitalize upon artistic/creative spirit of Ford City. Capitalize upon heritage auto, Ford. Develop a police substation or neighbourhood watch. Need to have strong bylaws and enforcement, but friendly to investment. There is a sense that the pieces are beginning to fall into place for Ford City. Community has deep roots in the city that should be taken advantage of. Many people grew-up here and moved away, but still feel strongly connected. We need to get the word out about our work. They would like to see Ford City retain its current small village feel. 31

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APPENDIX C: Summary of Recommendations to Revitalize Ford City

Also recommended in or compatible with New Recommendation CPTED (2009), Medcalf (2007), Hayes, (2009) CPTED (2009), Hayes (2009) CPTED (2009), Hayes (2009) , Medcalf (2009) Hayes (2009) , Medcalf (2009)

Short-Term - 1-3 years - Community Image Renewal 1. 2. Develop and launch a program to help foster a positive community self-image and vision. Work with the City of Windsor Building Department to develop and launch a property standards enforcement program. Establish an Adopt a Zone program in partnership with the City of Windsor Public Works Department. Work with individual property owners to address property deficiencies, especially those that affect safety and security as outlined in CPTED. In partnership with the Windsor Essex Economic Development Commission and the University of Windsor Centre for Business and Research, develop a marketing plan for the envisioned Ford City Urban Artisan Village to include all lands in the Ford City area.

3. 4.

5.

Short-Term - 1-3 years - Safety and Security 1. Form a Neighbourhood Watch program and work with CrimeStoppers on an intense promotional campaign in Ford City. Assess the lighting in Ford City and work with property owners and the City of Windsor to increase lighting where beneficial.

Also recommended in or compatible with CPTED (2009), Hayes (2009), Medcalf (2009) CPTED (2009), Hayes (2009)

2.

33

Short-Term - 1-3 years Community Engagement 1. Work with the City of Windsor and area non-profit agencies to provide more, activities and events for youth between 12 and 16 years of age. Work with the City of Windsor Park and Recreation to facilitate the completion of the Drouillard Road Park Redevelopment Plan (2004), including the street hockey court and sports field. Begin hosting an annual Ford City Homecoming event to draw former Ford City residents and others into the community. Encourage the City of Windsor to address the pedestrian crossing issue for residents of Maisonville Court and to investigate the installation of a level crossing over the CN Rail tracks.

Also recommended in or compatible with CPTED (2009), Medcalf (2007) City of Windsor Drouillard Park (2004), Hayes (2009)

2.

3.

CPTED (2009) Hayes (2009) Powerhouse CIP (2007), Hayes (2009),

4.

Short-Term - 1-3 years Commercial Revitalization 1. Host a series of design charrettes and solicit artist concepts for a Ford City Urban Artisan Village concept including historical/automotive themes. 2. Work with current property owner(s) and the City of Windsor to have an Environmental Site Assessment (EA) conducted on the former industrial lands between Walker and St. Luke roads and an Environmental Review Report (ERR) filed with the Ministry of the Environment. Begin promotion of the Ford City Urban Artisan Village concept for existing commercial space along Drouillard Road seeking artisans and businesses which fit with the concept. Form a Finance Advisory Panel made of representatives from the banking and insurance industries to develop a support program for property owners and new investors. Form an Arts and Heritage Advisory Panel made of representative from the arts and heritage community to advise on the development of Ford City as an Artisan Village and Heritage Community. 34

Also recommended in or compatible with CPTED (2009), Hayes (2009) City of Windsor Brownfield Strategy (2010), Hayes (2009)

3.

CPTED (2009), Hayes (2009)

4.

Medcalf (2007)

5.

New Recommendation

6.

Gather, and curate Ford City memorabilia, photographs and historic documents, ensuring they are properly documented and stored for future use. Conduct a feasibility study on the repurposing of the Holy Rosary Church as a shared community arts and heritage centre including possible partners and funding sources. Conduct a feasibility study on utilizing vacant land in the community, including the land between Walker and St. Luke for Urban Agriculture or Urban Farming. In partnership with the City of Windsor, seek to develop an official Ford City Community Improvement Plan (CIP) to allow the municipality greater flexibility in zoning, regulations and funding.

New Recommendation

7.

CPTED (2009), Hayes (2009), Powerhouse CIP (2007) CPTED (2009)

8.

9.

CPTED (2009), Medcalf (2007), Hayes (2009) Hayes (20090

10. Preserve and restore the existing murals and public art exhibitions in the community and develop a plan for their ongoing conservation. 11. Host a regular, outdoor, street fair featuring the work of local artisans, and performers as well as a locally grown produce. 12. Work with the City of Windsor to identify and secure a property to create a living art space, including platforms for sculptures as well as walls for murals. 13. Encourage the City of Windsor to pursue acquisition of the Ford Motor Company lands on Riverside Drive and to convert it into park space.

CPTED (2009)

CPTED (2009)

City of Windsor Brownfield Strategy (2010), Powerhouse CIP (2007), Medcalf (2007), Hayes (2009)

Medium-Term 3-5 years Commercial Revitalization 1. In partnership with current property owner(s), release a RFP for redevelopment of the former industrial lands between Walker and St. Luke Roads. 2. In partnership with various financial institutions and levels of government, launch a development incentive program to support investments in Ford City. 3. In conjunction with partners identified in the Holy 35

Also recommended in or compatible with City of Windsor Brownfield Strategy (2010), Hayes (2009) Medcalf (2007), Hayes (2009) Hayes (2009)

Rosary Feasibility Study, release an RFP for repurposing and operation of the former Holy Rosary Church. 4. Develop Heritage and Art walking tours featuring the communitys public art pieces as well as the heritage building in the community and provide links to these from the FCNR website. CPTED (2009)

Long-Term 5+ years Commercial Revitalization 1. In partnership with current property owner(s), and the City of Windsor facilitate the remediation and redevelopment of the former industrial lands between Walker and St. Luke Roads. 2. In partnership with the London Diocese of the Roman Catholic Church, the City of Windsor and partners identified in the Holy Rosary RFP, facilitate the repurposing of Holy Rosary as a Shared Community Arts and Heritage Centre. 3. Re-establish a Ford City Discovery Centre or Ford City Museum.

Also recommended in or compatible with City of Windsor Brownfield Strategy (2010), Hayes (2009) Hayes (2009)

New Recommendation

36