BIA pushing to keep Pelisser garage's retail space

TheDowntown Windsor Business Improvement Association is making a last ditch effort to keep the Pelisser Street parking garage ground-floor retail space by submitting new proposals to the city.

Earlier this month, city council agreed to convert the ground-level into 51 new parking spaces. True Fitness Windsor had previously submitted a proposal to open a second location inthe parking garage space, but was denied, said Luis Mendez, owner of the gym.

• Downtown BIA takes steps to prevent Pelissier parking garage conversion
• City to convert Pelissier retail into more parking spaces

"I was feeling a little disappointed that I didn't hear anything back," Mendez said. "In fact the day that they announced they were doing the parking structure was the day I received the (rejection)letter."

Mendezsaid he was looking to take over the full space. Now, he's open to renting half.

He's working with the downtown BIA to submit another proposal. His original offer asked for two years of free rent and to have no other gym within a two-kilometre radius. Mendez saida lot of renovations are needed to get the space ready. He puts the potential cost at hundreds of thousands of dollars.

True Fitness Windsor employs 15 workers and the second location would see another 10 to 15 hires.

"The BIA believes, especially with the exit of the YMCA health club that True Fitness will be an important addition to the downtown," said Larry Horwitz, president of thedowntown BIA.

Horwitz said there are plans for more tenants in the parking garage. Both Horwitz and Mendez will be at the city council meeting Monday.

"We feel that this is a very fair offer and hope that we can move ahead and get things going," Medez said.