Windsor's Mayor is not changing his position on the Pelissier Street Parking Garage despite tenders coming in well over estimates.
The city budgeted $500,000 to remove retail space on the ground level of the garage and return it to 43 parking spots.
But the low bidder came in at $880,000 and some city councillors have called for a halt to the project.
Mayor Drew Dilkens says the administration knew the cost would be higher than $500,000 because an engineering firm set it at $650,00 in April.
AM800 file photo of Windsor Mayor Drew Dilkens
Dilkens says the actual cost to the city may not be that high.
"Administration I think has done the right thing, and sat down with the low bidder" said Dilkens. "They've gone through a value engineering process to see if there's ways to cut out costs from the original bid and they'll have a report prepared for city council to determine what number they were able to get to"
The report is expected to be dealt wiht at the August 8th Windsor Council meeting.
The mayor says the parking crunch in the core is real, starting with the university creative arts building opening in September which needs 80 spots.
He adds the new Central Collegiate school being built at the Windsor Arena site will mean the loss of 100 spots at Waterworld and they have a demand for 140 spots.
Dilkens says council will likely go forward with the project and expects the cost will be lower than the low bid.
He adds the cost to retain the space as retail could easily have been as high or higher than making it parking spots again.
Dilkens points out Pelissier and Park Streets is an important location and needs to look good, which costs money.