Windsor rejects 6-month extension for Pelissier business relocation

The owner of a hair salon in the Pelissier Street parking structure said city council's decision to only give occupants of the garage 30 more days to relocate is akin to throwing them out in the street.

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YoussefGereige has operated his hair boutique out of the ground floor of the garage for almost 30 years. Now, he says he may be forced to leave downtown once and for all.

"I'm going to try not to, but theway they're doing it, they're making me leave downtown after 27 years," he said."We have no place to go, so pretty well they're putting us out on the street."

The garage at the corner of PelissierStreet and Park Street Westhas been a contentious topic since councillors voted to turn the businesses into more parking spots back in November.

In March, a bid to transform the structure into a multi-use space that included retail was also rejected.

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Windsor Pride executive director Bob Williams said he was upset by the result of council's voteMonday night.

"I am not happy with the decision," he said. "It's a poor decision ... to put us out to the curb in such a short period of time ... is poor for the disadvantaged youth, the seniors who use our centre."

A downtown location is important so the centre can be accessible to everyone who relies on it, he added. That includes those with mobility issues who can't use stairs, ruling out most second-storey options.

Downtown Windsor Business Improvement Associationchairperson Larry Horwitzalso raised concerns about council's decision, describing it as"ripping the guts out" of businesses that have put "sweat and time" into the downtown.

He called on members of the community to contact council in defence of downtown.

"I need everyone to call the mayor and say 'this is not fair, this is not right, this is stupid,'" he said. "Politics shouldn't get in the way of businesses surviving."