Downtown Windsor Revitalization Survey Returns to Measure Community Perspectives

Published

Two years after launching the Strengthen the Core (STC) – Downtown Windsor Revitalization Plan, the City of Windsor is inviting residents, business owners, service providers, and visitors to complete an annual survey to help track progress in community perceptions, provide feedback on experiences, and identify opportunities for continued improvement in the downtown core.

The survey will be open from August 7 to September 7, 2026, enabling the City to track progress in downtown Windsor over time. The follow-up survey is a critical step in ensuring that the Strengthen the Core plan remains responsive, data-driven, and informed by the community. Feedback gathered through the survey will help guide future investments, programming, and partnerships while helping the City measure progress and identify priorities for continued improvement in downtown Windsor. Results will be aggregated and shared through updates to Council.

Since the launch of STC, the City and its partners have advanced a wide range of initiatives aimed at improving safety, supporting investment, increasing activation, and enhancing the overall downtown experience.

Key accomplishments through the strategy since the last survey include the following:

  • Windsor Police Service secured $2.28 million in provincial funding to enhance community safety initiatives, including support for the Problem Oriented Policing Unit, Crisis Response Team, and Nurse Police Team.
  • Project Greenlight was launched across downtown Windsor to support commercial-grade security cameras and lighting improvements. As of June 30, 2026, over 45 cameras have been installed in the core. 
  • The Enhanced Weekend Outreach Initiative pilot was launched to better understand and support housing and homelessness-related concerns and strengthen connections to housing, health, and essential support during times when services are limited. 
  • Decorative lighting was installed along Ouellette Avenue in partnership with the Downtown Windsor Business Improvement Association (BIA), improving the appearance and atmosphere of the downtown core. 
  • The City installed 45 new and upgraded waste receptacles and enhanced downtown cleaning and maintenance efforts. 
  • The Our Downtown Windsor marketing campaign was launched to promote downtown businesses, events, attractions, community stakeholders, and investment opportunities.
  • Major residential developments advanced through Housing Solutions Made for Windsor, including the Caron Avenue and Pelissier Street projects, bringing over 400 new units to the core.
  • Since the implementation of the Strengthen the Core initiative began, more than 30 new businesses and organizations have opened or relocated downtown, including major investments such as Expeditors, the YMCA, and Ariius Nightclub.
  • Council approved changes to increase downtown parking availability, creating approximately 249 new parking spaces through curb lane conversions and expanded angled parking. 
  • The Downtown Innovation District initiative was announced to support entrepreneurship, innovation, collaboration, and investment in the downtown core.
  • The Village at The Barn concept was unveiled, advancing discussions around a comprehensive downtown housing and homelessness support campus.
  • The City unveiled DERKZ’s The Language of My World murals, along with the “Park in Perfect Harmony” installations in partnership with the Windsor Symphony Orchestra in the Pelissier Parking Garage and held the second annual “Classical in the Concrete” public concert.
  • The City of Windsor hosted the grand opening of the new City Hall Square Ice Rink — an exciting addition to the heart of downtown and a festive destination for residents and visitors during the winter season. The kickoff celebration welcomed hundreds of attendees and featured live entertainment, food trucks, free hot chocolate, and complimentary skate rentals.
  • As part of the Experience Windsor initiative, supported by a $500,000 Council-approved investment through the Tourism Development, Infrastructure and Program Reserve Fund, the City created a series of events — including Wheels Nights for roller skating at City Hall Square — across the community, including in downtown Windsor, to provide free engagement opportunities for residents to enjoy barrier-free programming in the City.

For a complete list of accomplishments, initiatives, and ongoing projects, visit the City's Strengthen the Core Let's Talk Windsor webpage.

How to Participate:

The survey will be available online at letstalk.citywindsor.ca/strengthen-the-core starting August 7 and will close on September 7, 2026. All responses are anonymous, and participants are encouraged to share their feedback and experiences. Individual results will be aggregated and shared through updates to Council.

For more information about the Strengthen the Core plan and ongoing revitalization efforts, visit letstalk.citywindsor.ca/strengthen-the-core.

Quotes:

 "The City of Windsor continues to see significant progress through the Strengthen the Core – Downtown Windsor Revitalization Plan. Our efforts to breathe new life into the core extend far beyond identifying a vision for supporting vulnerable populations. We are working to address perceptions of safety through Project Greenlight and other impactful community safety measures. Dozens of unforgettable events and initiatives continue to regularly draw thousands of residents and visitors into the core. Through Housing Solutions Made for Windsor, we’ve approved landscape-changing developments that will bring over 400 new homes to the area. New assets and amenities have come online, including the incredible new City Hall Square. We delivered this community gathering space on time and $1 million under budget while transforming a formerly limited-use area into a focal point for celebrations and civic pride. Thousands of residents now gather there throughout the year to celebrate, engage, and connect. We’ve come a long way in creating the conditions to attract new investments, businesses, residents, and visitors to our downtown. Strengthen the Core is working, against all odds, and every investment and step forward reflects our efforts to Protect Windsor’s Future. I invite everyone to participate in this survey and help guide future work, standing in lockstep with the City and our committed partners in creating and sustaining the vibrant downtown we all deserve."
– Mayor Drew Dilkens, City of Windsor

"Strengthen the Core has always been about taking action, measuring results, and continuing to build on every step forward. Since the launch of the Strengthen the Core – Downtown Revitalization Plan, we've seen new investments, new amenities, more events, and more opportunities for people to experience downtown Windsor. This annual survey gives everyone an opportunity to share their experiences and perspectives, helping us better understand the impact of these efforts and identify opportunities to continue building on that momentum."
– Councillor Renaldo Agostino, Ward 2

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