Frontage facelift

How far will a fresh coat of paint go? A long way when you look at the improvement it’s made to some downtown Windsor businesses. Last week it seemed there were painters on every street corner and tired old buildings were getting a much-needed lick of color.

It may have been a coincidence that several businesses chose to spruce up their frontage this month but it’s perfect timing according to Councillor Liz Galbraith who co-chairs the Windsor Communities in Bloom (CIB) committee.

The committee has been busy this summer preparing for it’s inaugural CIB competition and Galbriath says every little bit helps before the judges arrive August 12. “It think it’s really great that all this painting and renovation is going on now, it’s will make a great impression on the judges.”

The CIB committee has been sprucing up local parks, distributing flower planters and hanging baskets and encouraging homeowners to give their gardens a little TLC.

Galbraith adds that their efforts are not just about impressing the judges but making the town a better place for everyone to enjoy. “If everyone is doing a little something it all makes a difference.”

The CIB has partnered with the Windsor Business Enhancement Society (WBES) in their efforts as well and even the waterfront picnic tables have been given some attention. They recently commissioned a local teen, Justin Tousgnan to add his artistic touch to one table in particular, which had suffered some serious abuse. “It had some pretty offensive graffiti on it,” said Galbraith. “No one wanted to sit there, but Justin volunteered to paint it and covered it with his own artwork. It was a beautiful sunny day but he worked on it himself all afternoon.”

Galbarith said between the Green Team and the help of Public Works the downtown is looking better than ever. “We’re all working together on this in our own way and it’s making a big difference.”

WBES president Pam Kinsmen said they offer façade improvement grants to off set some of the costs. Although that funding is nominal Kinsman said it’s an added incentive for business owners. “The WBES works on behalf of the downtown business and services to make shopping and business here in Windsor a pleasure.”

The WBES does what they can to improve the towns appearance but in the end she says it still comes down to individual businesses and building owners. “A lot of times the business doesn’t own the building they’re in so it’s very important that they work with the landlords to keep them looking nice. “

Both the Avonian Place and Revival Decorating Studio have taken on major frontage facelifts this summer and Kinsman said they set a great example to other business owners. “It’s great that they’ve made that investment, we’d like to see more businesses take that initiative. “

Kinsmen says people are taking notice of all the improvements. “We’ve heard some really good comments. It’s nice to see all the bright colors; it’s certainly giving our downtown a wonderful facelift. “