Merchants: Garage useful but dirty

By Jamie Adam

 

The municipally owned Park & Pelissier parking garage may not be in the best condition, but it is still used according to merchants whose businesses surround the garage.

 

The four-story garage which covers nearly half a city block, or more than 13,000 square feet, was built in the mid-1970s.

 

Although Pelissier Street recently underwent a multi-million dollar streetscaping, the parking garage was untouched.

 

“It’s two separate issues.  The streetscaping is separate from the buildings being remodeled,” said Fulvio Valentinis, Ward 3 City Councillor who represents the downtown.  “Streetscaping was paid by the city and by Windsor business owners, whereas any improvements to the garage would be the city’s responsibility.”

 

Business owners agree it is a useful building but say it needs to be better maintained.

 

“I think the city should spend a little more time and money on it – cleaning it up and especially getting better security on the weekends when the bars are busier,” said Liz Mumsterhjelm, the owner of Casa Chavela located across the street from the garage.  “You can hear people screaming and shouting and carrying on and vomiting and stuff so it makes a lot of women afraid to use it at night.”

 

Sophia Maccarato is a hairstylist at Yousif’s Hair Boutique and she said she uses the garage about once a week.

 

“It’s definitely dirty.  I think it could use some TLC,” said Maccarato.  “I’ve worked down here for the past 12 years and they really haven’t done much to maintain it.  It’s been let go.”

 

Barry Smith is the manager for The Men’s Store and he has a different solution to the issue.

 

“I don’t think the answer is to put cars in there,” said Smith.  “I think it’s a shame that we don’t have retail in that space.”

 

Valentinis said the garage could use some sprucing up and said different parties have expressed their interest in the space.  He said he wants the issue to be addressed as soon as possible.

 

“This is not something we can put off.  I want to see it addressed in the next budget year, in 2013.”

 

Smith said the winds of change have started blowing.

 

“We’ve been sadly neglected for years but with the college and university downtown, things are starting to turn,” said Smith.  “Slowly, but very positively.  It will be better in the long run.”

Recent estimates from the city suggests the cost of restoring the garage could be as much as $1.5 million.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

A woman walks by the Park & Pelissier parking garage on the morning of Oct. 18.  There has been some controversy regarding the condition of the garage.

 

Photo by Jamie Adam.