Windsor's downtown councillor is applauding a reconstruction project for a section of Ouellette Ave in the core.
Construction is underway on a $5.6-million streetscape improvement that will close Ouellette between Wyandotte St and Elliott St.
Ward 3 Councillor Rino Bortolin says there will be some short term pain for businesses on that section.
But Bortolin says, ultimately, it will be positive.
"For the businesses and pedestrians and all the other landowners in that area it'll be a huge boost to the cosmetic feel of the street. The look and feel as far as being a pedestrian in that area will change a lot, it'll be brought into the same look and feel as the rest of downtown."
He says they've consulted with local businesses to stage the project appropriately.
"This project will be done over two years as opposed to one long marathon session throughout spring and summer and into the fall. It'll start now and will go all throughout the fall and then pick up again next year and that was done to break up the impact on the local businesses."
Bortolin adds, this is not a cure-all for vacant stores, but it will definitely help.
"Things like streetscaping investments by the city only help. Can I say that two or three years from now the vacancy rate will be zero in that stretch? Ideally yes, but probably not. But you will start to see more activity I think when it come to people looking to rent."
The finished project will reduce the number of lanes from four to two plus add a raised median island, new sidewalks, landscaping and additional on-street parking.
Sidewalk access to all businesses will be available throughout construction into late November.
- with files from AM800's Gord Bacon