Downtown BIA takes steps to prevent Pelissier parking garage conversion

The Downtown Windsor Business Improvement Association the city to court because of a decision to remove retail space from the Pelissier Street parking garage.

Last week, City council agreed to convert street-level space on Pelissierto more parking spaces.

• City to convertPelissierretail into more parking spaces

DWBIA Chairman Larry Horwitzis angry council made the move behind closed doors at a meeting before the regular session of city council last Monday night.

He says the DWBIAisfiling a complaint to the Ontario Ombudsman "because we feel it was illegal and behind closed doors."

The association is also making an application to the Superior Court of Ontario to overturn the decision.

The city considered spending $500,000 to spruce up the retail space in the parking garage, but decided tocreate 51 new parking spots instead.

Mayor Drew Dilkens saidthere was only one party interested in renting the space and they didn't meet minimum standards.

Council had voted to keep the retail space at a meeting last June.