The Downtown Windsor Improvement Association is looking for a hefty levy increase.
The DWBIA will ask city council Monday night to approve a 13.9 per cent increase to the levy charged to their members.
The proposed DWBIA budget for 2019 is $643,000 -- monies that would be collected through the BIA levy, and requires city council approval before collected.
That's a $78,000 increase from 2018.
But City administration is recommending $5,000 of that total committed to Citizens for an Accountable Megahospital Planning Project is withheld. Mayor Drew Dilkens announced the move to block funding of CAMPP's legal challenge to the new regional hospital site earlier this month.
The BIA sought legal advice and is standing by its membership's support of CAMPP according to Treasurer Bryan Daytoc. But he wants to keep the focus on the remaining $638,000 that will be used for promoting and building-up the city's core.
"We've heard a lot of feedback from our membership, we believe that the decision represents the best interest of our members. We can't let that overshadow what we have planned with the rest of the budget that we're asking for," says Daytoc. "There's such a spotlight on this issue but there should be a bigger spotlight on things we're going to do."
Daytoc tells AM800 News filling vacant commercial space is the first goal of a developing master plan.
"Working on filling those vacated store fronts so we have more members contributing to the pot to fully fund that BIA Budget that we would need," he says. "We're developing a master plan to make sure we use every dollar to its fullest, the last time it was done in 2011."
He says money will still be allocated to giving people a reason to spend the day downtown.
"Events such as the Downtown Windsor Farmers Market, that had its opening day Saturday, WIFF [Windsor International Film Festival], promoting and marketing the current businesses in the core," he says. "Creating a safe, secure and enjoyable downtown, whether that's with security cameras or working with the Windsor police on getting that program up and going."
When it comes to the CAMPP funding, Daytoc says the BIA is standing by its member's decision to support the group.
The city currently has nine BIA's, with the only other request for a substantial increase coming from Via Italia on Erie St. for an additional $25,000.
Three more BIA's could have money potentially withheld after supporting CAMPP — with Via Italia pledging $2,500, Wyandotte Town Centre pitching in $1,000 and Ford City promising $250.