A $7-million, 32-unit condo development is in the works for the corner of Ouellette Ave and Erie St.
Peter Valente is the president of the Valente Development Corporation.
He says they'll be going forward with the building despite concerns about resident safety in the downtown core.
Valente gives credit to the city for hiring 24 additional police officers to handle increased crime downtown, but believes more needs to be done.
He says it's important for the incoming council to make safety priority one.
"During the election we heard a lot of talk about what's been going on downtown. We've got a new council coming in and I just wanted to reiterate some of the concerns that people have about living down there. I'm building a brand new building, I don't need to do that. So I want to make sure that they know that safety is number one."
Artist rendering of a condo development planned for Ouellette Ave and Erie St in Windsor (Photo courtesy of Valente Development Corporation)
Valente says he's worried the city's reputation may scare future development away.
"I'm making a big investment. Other people behind me are probably going to watch this and make similar decisions based on the success of this project. So let's protect our city. Let's make the downtown a great place to live, work, play, have fun and not have to worry about these kind of problems."
The local developer made a stop at city council Monday night to express his concerns.
Valente says he'll be taking a number of safety measures to protect residents including fencing and gated parking.
He says a safe community is a big piece of the puzzle for any developer.
"No matter what, if the neighbourhood is not a neighbourhood where people feel secure no one is going to invest money into it. That has to be number one. I'm just a resident just like everybody else. I'm a small business owner. I can't solve those problems. We need these people to make the right decisions to help everything get better and I hope that they will."
Construction on the four storey building is expected to begin in early 2019 and wrap up before year's end.
Location of a upcoming condo development planned for Ouellette Ave and Erie St in Windsor (Photo courtesy of Google Maps)