If ever there was a real estate venture with tons of profit opportunities Drouillard Road is it. To prove that point, all one has to do is drive up the street and pay attention. Pay attention to detail. Architectural details, infrastructure, the lay of the land, parking availability and location. This tired commercial corridor has been looking for the right lift for a long time. With the Ford Foundry ramping into oblivion there is yet another dynamic to affect change.
In recent years the city of Windsor has provided a fresh new street with beautiful lamp standards, sitting areas, trash receptacles, nice trees and colourful planters. There is lots of parking and even a nice park. The shop fronts are a bit tired and dated in appearance but a little planning and TLC could make them sparkle in no time. Many of the historical buildings which dot the street can be brought back into play. And let’s not forget Drouillard’s historical murals. All of the trappings for a hot commercial area are already in place.
In recent years the city of Windsor has provided a fresh new street with beautiful lamp standards, sitting areas, trash receptacles, nice trees and colourful planters. There is lots of parking and even a nice park. The shop fronts are a bit tired and dated in appearance but a little planning and TLC could make them sparkle in no time. Many of the historical buildings which dot the street can be brought back into play. And let’s not forget Drouillard’s historical murals. All of the trappings for a hot commercial area are already in place.
A variety of buildings and shops
A variety of buildings with lots of parking
The building on the left is currently for sale for $180,000.00
The location is textbook as well. The street reaches from Riverside Drive clean through to Tecumseh Road with feeders like Wyandotte, Seminole, Tecumseh Road and a few in between. Proper development of Drouillard could easily service Old Walkerville, Wards three and four as well as any other takers from in and around Windsor.
What’s that noise? Ahhh yes…The naysayers. “What Drouillard Road? Are you nuts? The place is a slum! It’ll never happen. Don’t waste your time and money. You’ll never get it back”. In 1984 we heard the same sounds about Monmouth Road. Everyone who bought into the street at that time got a steady ear banging from friends and relatives who could only see the street as a bad, bad place. The vision and potential was clear to those nervy enough to venture in at the time. Since then the home values on the street have risen to eight times the original value and there is no shortage of people who want to buy in today. Drouillard Road is the same story waiting to happen but only on a much grander scale. Real estate values on the street are just right for visionaries who can invest a little cash and sweat equity.
So what is the recipe for all of this? The first thing required is dialogue between business people of various kinds. Retailers, bakers, barbers, restaurateurs, banks, artists, designers, whoever has the guts and wherewithal to want in. An action plan should be established which ensures that the street will get repopulated and revitalized in a timely manner. This might even be a good game for all of the big boys and girls out there, business people who can afford to drop some legacy money into a very cool development. Once a solid core of businesses open more will follow. And when the shops, restaurants, night clubs, banks and retail stores et al are there the urbanites will surely come.
Looking for all takers. Do the drive by. Who wants to make some history?
What’s that noise? Ahhh yes…The naysayers. “What Drouillard Road? Are you nuts? The place is a slum! It’ll never happen. Don’t waste your time and money. You’ll never get it back”. In 1984 we heard the same sounds about Monmouth Road. Everyone who bought into the street at that time got a steady ear banging from friends and relatives who could only see the street as a bad, bad place. The vision and potential was clear to those nervy enough to venture in at the time. Since then the home values on the street have risen to eight times the original value and there is no shortage of people who want to buy in today. Drouillard Road is the same story waiting to happen but only on a much grander scale. Real estate values on the street are just right for visionaries who can invest a little cash and sweat equity.
So what is the recipe for all of this? The first thing required is dialogue between business people of various kinds. Retailers, bakers, barbers, restaurateurs, banks, artists, designers, whoever has the guts and wherewithal to want in. An action plan should be established which ensures that the street will get repopulated and revitalized in a timely manner. This might even be a good game for all of the big boys and girls out there, business people who can afford to drop some legacy money into a very cool development. Once a solid core of businesses open more will follow. And when the shops, restaurants, night clubs, banks and retail stores et al are there the urbanites will surely come.
Looking for all takers. Do the drive by. Who wants to make some history?
