As with any pre-commitment of funds, the approval reduces the future funding available for other initiatives not already approved.

Technical Risks

As with many capital projects, there are risks related to soil conditions and archeological considerations. In order to mitigate this risk the City is following the required protocols. Soil tests and the archeological studies conducted to date have returned favourable results. This reduces these risks but does not eliminate them.

Financial Matters:

The funding recommended for this project is in large part funding City Council has previously approved or approved in principle for the Celestial Beacon. Funding identified as a placeholder for the Paul Martin Building has also been identified as a funding source as there is an immediate need for funding the Celestial Beacon and no active plans for Paul Martin in place at this time.

As this project provides for a museum which will house a part of Windsor’s history as well as outdoor seating space, walking paths and washroom facilities it is seen as a draw for tourism. The open nature of the design, including the glass walls for the Streetcar, and various trails at the top and bottom of the structure, also lend itself to outdoor activities which respect the new norm of physical distancing and the ability to have access to facilities such as hand washing.

Capital Cost

City Council approved a pre-commitment of $400,000 to commence preliminary design and investigative work on this project. Expenditures to date total approximately $260,000.

As indicated previously, Administration is requesting approval to submit an application to the CCSF. Below is a breakdown of the $7,000,000 in anticipated overall project expenses and a breakdown of eligible and ineligible costs.