A potential children’s museum to share space with United Way

By Amos Johnson

An idea was presented to council and other committee members about launching a children’s museum which would share space at United Way at this month’s Heritage Committee meeting.

Windsor lawyer Jeffrey Slopen represented local doctor Joel Liem to present the idea at the meeting on Feb. 11 along with answering some of United Ways’ concerns.

“The property now is only half occupied by the United Way,” said Slopen.

“This is a unique opportunity for the City of Windsor and no cost to the city. We came across this particular opportunity because of the children’s museum established in London, Ont.”

William Willis, a partner at Willis Business Law, attended the meeting to represent United Way alongside Lorraine Goddard, chief executive officer for United Way.

United Way/Centraide Windsor-Essex County is known for supporting Windsor-Essex County through community funds. As well as supporting programs which involve supporting kids and families, with the addition of strengthening neighbourhoods.

The organization has been around since 1947 starting as a community fund, eventually transitioning into starting programs to address current issues and help improve neighbourhoods.

United Way has stated that they represent approximately 60 per cent of the building as well as having a lease that includes a right of refusal to purchase the property.

They are also concerned about the rezoning label ‘recreation and entertainment’ as they consider it to be a broad category. With the request that a specific use for the rezoning be identified, it would eliminate confusion since the building would not be able to accommodate bowling alleys, pool halls and arcades.

Another concern of United Way is the parking lot and the children’s safety being at risk due to the limited space. They also mentioned that in 2018, there were over 289 meetings scheduled at the building of United Way, with the average number of people arriving to be around 15 with most arriving by car.

The existing parking spaces are said to be barely enough space as it is and that removing any more parking spaces to benefit the application would only cause more problems. It is also assumed that buses loading on Giles Boulevard and McDougall Avenue would delay traffic.

“I think the last thing we want to see is a bus backing up into Giles or McDougall,” said Coun. Irek Kusmierczyk on his concerns with the bus navigation in the location’s parking lot.

Slopen states that there shouldn’t be an issue with parking as most of the children would arrive by bus.

Kusmierczyk then resolved one of United Way’s concerns with the application’s original category. Stating that it should be labelled as a museum, as opposed to entertainment and recreation.

The item concluded with Kusmierczyk instructing that the category Entertainment & Recreation be replaced; as well as a report that should be made to council once confirmed that a bus can navigate safely through Giles and McDougall.

The next Development & Heritage Standing Committee meeting is set for March 18.

 

Councillor Irek Kusmierczyk resolves one of United Way's concerns with the application's original category. It is now recognized as a museum, as opposed to entertainment and recreation #JRNC613 pic.twitter.com/nAtAuvFwKj

— Amos Johnson (@AmosJohnson18) February 12, 2019

The item concluded with Councillor Irek Kusmierczyk instructing that the category 'Entertainment & Recreation' be replaced; as well as reporting to council once it is ensured that a bus can navigate safely through the location's parking lot #JRNC613 pic.twitter.com/pRl90tkqpo

— Amos Johnson (@AmosJohnson18) February 12, 2019

United Way's legal council argues that buses loading on Giles Blvd. and McDougall Ave. would delay traffic.

Meanwhile Slopen states that there shouldn't be an issue with parking as most of the children would arrive by bus #JRNC613 pic.twitter.com/cEHWXWQuzq

— Amos Johnson (@AmosJohnson18) February 12, 2019

Another concern of United Way is the parking lot and children's safety being at risk due to the limited space #JRN613 pic.twitter.com/GGo7X95mFR

— Amos Johnson (@AmosJohnson18) February 12, 2019

United Way is concerned that the rezoning to a place of recreation and entertainment is a broad category. As well as not being able to accommodate bowling alleys, pool halls and arcades #JRN613 pic.twitter.com/sUToInDfaf

— Amos Johnson (@AmosJohnson18) February 12, 2019

Legal council for United Way states that they represent approximately 60 % of the building as well as having a lease that includes a right of refusal to purchase the property #JRNC613

— Amos Johnson (@AmosJohnson18) February 12, 2019

"This is a unique opportunity for the City of Windsor and no cost to the city." – Jeffrey Slopen #JRNC613

— Amos Johnson (@AmosJohnson18) February 12, 2019

Jeffrey Slopen on behalf of ACJJL Investments INC. presented an idea of creating a children's museum and play area at a location that in his words "is only half occupied by United Way." #JRNC613

— Amos Johnson (@AmosJohnson18) February 12, 2019

ITEM 7.2 – The rezoning of 300 Giles Blvd E. #JRNC613 pic.twitter.com/7bbj7Rru07

— Amos Johnson (@AmosJohnson18) February 12, 2019

Tonight is the first of this month's Development & Heritage Standing Committee Meeting #JRNC613 pic.twitter.com/K6a7nbFLDK

— Amos Johnson (@AmosJohnson18) February 12, 2019