NO HANGING FLOWER BASKETS THIS YEAR
DAMAGED OR MISSING LIGHTS
SPINDLY TREE REPLACEMENTS 
WEEDING AND WATERING TREES MIGHT HELP
WEEDING AND LITTER PATROL CAN'T HURT
COLD PATCH A GOOD TREE REPLACEMENT?
GRATES NEED TO BE CLIPPED TO ACCOMMODATE GROWTH
DID WE GIVE UP ON THIS TREE?
SOME TREES VICTIM TO EMERALD ASH BORER
GIRDLING WILL KILL TREESHave you noticed anything missing from the Wyandotte streetscape in Old Walkerville? Not only are some of the trees missing (victims to vandalism and emerald ash borers) but this year there are no hanging flower baskets (victims of budget shortfall). The sad thing is that the BIAs immediately west and east of Old Walkerville do have their baskets up. This definately makes Old Walkerville look like the "other side of the tracks". Vandalism and damage have also taken their toll on other important details like historical street lamps. Globes are missing or broken and some of the standards are completely shorn off. Trees are not getting the care and TLC they deserve either. As an example, the cast iron grates around their bases have never been clipped to accommodate growth and girth (this condition will cause them to die). Many of the trees have been broken off and never replaced. Those which have been replaced are mere saplings doomed to be broken again. All in all, this section of Wyandotte looks pretty worse for wear.
So what's the deal with the hanging baskets? Too costly to water. The baskets have to be watered on a daily basis and the company hired to water the plants charges a pretty penny to do so (apparently high insurance and licensing fees). The next obvious question is how do the neighbouring BIA's do it? The answer is probably higher business density. More businesses mean more membership fees and therefore a larger budget. For whatever reasons businesses have dried up in this area. Icon, Old Walkerville Pizzaria, Black Opal, The Meating Place, Poster Optics, Lasik; there are so many more.
So how should our BIA meet these tough challenges without sacrificing the integrity of the Old Walkerville business community? Perhaps the local BIA could open itself up to it's surrounding residential community for help and input. Such a proactive stance might bring volunteers and a fertile "think tank" to the table. Maybe the good folks from Parks and Rec could help out with the trees (replacements with larger caliber trunks and maintenance) and maybe Public Works or Windsor Utilities might offer timely help with repair and replacement of light standards etc. The most immediate difference though, has to come from the local BIA members themselves. Sweeping and scrubbing the sidewalks and even watering the plants might be a possibility. Hey...It works in Europe.
There are obviously a lot of good fixes and ideas out there. If you've got one why not share it in the comments section of this posting? There's no such thing as a bad idea. What do you think?
9 comments:
It the massage parlor still open?
Just curious?
There was a photograph of the Strathcona Building around the turn of the century on display in the Willestead Manor during Art in the Park. Mature trees lined Wyandotte street. Looked great. Why can't we do this today?
Tree plantings reflect poor planning. The grates will only accomadate immature growth. They never considered the trees would grow; which reflects the initial midnities business surge in the area which has withered for similar reasons. Lack of forethought and reinvestment.
What the area needs are more landlords who respect the historical nature of their holdings and who are willing to restore them properly. Not just paint and patchwork. The Strathcona comes to mind. Property standards should be held to a higher standard.
Maybe some tax breaks. Parking relief. Lets bring back the business. How about a store front improvement program. What about new development incentives. We have new residential (Lofts) lets keep the momentum going.
Lets clean up the area. Where is the City in all of this? I see money being spent on downtown. Community improvement plans etc. How about the oldest neighborhood in the City?
The oldest neighbourhood in the city would be Sandwich.
Why should the city waste my valuable tax dollars on incentives for property owners in Walkerville? Why don't the property owners in Walkerville raise the money themselves and fix up the area? There are still people whose basements get flooded with crap each year - let's fix that health problem first before giving businesses tax incentives.
To Walkerville is not Windsor: The BIAs don't get extra tax dollars for these things. Each business owner in that district pays annual fees. Sort of like "neighbourhood improvement fees". A budget is set from that kitty which in turn determines what improvements or maintenance they can afford. The Old Walkerville BIA is only one of many in Windsor and they all operate the same way. Your tax dollars are safe and hopefully working towards the serious concern you've mentioned.
All these negative comments remind me of a drunken tirade that took place on this blog this blog before. Is someone in the board already?
I sear I hear a banjo.
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