City council approves Windsor streetcar restoration, Sandwich Towne arch

Windsor's city council approved two separateprojects Monday night, that each involve a piece of the city's history.

Original Windsor Streetcar

City council first debatedto buy and restore one of the last three remaining streetcars that formerlyoperatedin the city.

Streetcar #351is sitting in the old streetcar shed on University Avenue West. Owner Van Niforossold the property and must be out by Nov.9.

Mayor DrewDilkenshad RM Auctions and Restorations of Chatham-Kentcheck out the vehicle. The company quoted the city at a cost between$500,000 and$750,000 for a projectthat would take about two years to complete.

"We're talking about using this streetcaras an active part of our riverfront," said Dilkens, who proposed the trolley become aRiverfront beacon project.

Some councillors were unsure if the quote seemed fitting, given that the city was undecided about where the streetcar would go, or what would be inside of it. Some suggestions included turning it into a concession stand.

"We need to receivethe streetcar but after that, I think there are some steps that need some time," said Coun. Bill Marra,who suggested council take more time to think about options.

In the end, the majority of councillors voted to accept and restore the streetcar with some amendments to seek fundraising support and a public consultation on where to put it and what to put in it.

The city will give owner Niforos$100,000 in tax breaks for the streetcar.

Sandwich TowneArch

Councilapproved the'Sandwich TownArch' gateway, that's set to span Sandwich StreetbetweenPaterson and McKee Parksat a cost of$303,257.

• City planning committee approves Sandwich Towne arch design, cost pegged at $303,257

The large gateway will feature heritage plaques with localstories of Sandwich as chosen by the public.

"I'm proud of it," saidcoun. John Elliott who said he's heard nothing but positive feedback about the gateway.

Council unanimously approved for the project - with construction on the horizon.

Extra Budget?

The FINAWorldChampionships swimming competition at the WFCU Centre last December brought in about $116,000 for the city.

The calculation was made using the Sport Tourism Economic Assessment Model known as STEAM,used to predict the economic impact of hosting an event in a community.

Council heard that the surplus could go towards the streetcar project.

A formal detailed report fromthe Canadian Sport Tourism Alliance wasn't heard because a representative couldn't attend the meetingdue to a familyemergency.

Windsor Poetry

Councillorsaround the horseshoeheard fromWindsor's poet laureate Marty Gervaisas he gavean excerpt of a poetry reading coming up on Tuesday at Willistead Manor.

The fifth annual 'Poetry at the Manor' will feature readings from five poets from across the country as well as from six local poets reading from an anthology of poems about Windsor in the book, 'Because We Have All Lived Here.'

Gervais saidthe poets will also be going around the city on Tuesday. They will pass out the book toto unsuspecting people in what they call 'Random Acts of Poetry.'

"These poets will introduce themselves to these individuals and politely and discreetly offer them a book and give them a short reading of the poems, and I know it sounds a little creepy but it's actually done all across the country in literary circles," said Gervais.

The poetry at the manor event begins onTuesday at 7 p.m.