Latest news with #DetroitRiver
CTV News
12 hours ago
- Business
- CTV News
Date set to demolish former Boblo Island dock
The former Boblo Island dock seen in Amherstburg, Ont. on June 5, 2025. (Gary Archibald/CTV News Windsor) A date has been set to demolish the former Boblo Island dock in Amherstburg. The town has received word the contractor selected to do the work plans to mobilize to the site on June 23. It's expected the work will be completed within seven days. In September 2024, the town received word that the federal Department of Fisheries and Oceans (DFO) had secured funding to remove the dock and move forward with the tending process. The DFO owns the dock on the Detroit River along Front Road South, which has fallen into a state of disrepair and is in danger of collapsing into the river. The town has been asking the federal government since 2016 to take action to remove the structure, citing its condition and the potential safety hazard to boats and commercial shipping on the Detroit River if it collapsed into the water. Councillor Molly Allaire said the fight from everyone on council and administration has been huge in making this happen. 'I'm very happy we had a very mild winter because I was very concerned about it not being done until now,' she said. 'If this past winter was bad, the ice would have just taken it away, is my theory. Luckily it all worked out, and it will be done soon.' Allaire said it's nostalgic, but it's time to say goodbye. 'I even went to Boblo as a kid, and I still remember it,' she added. 'My husband worked there for three summers. It has a lot of history in our town for sure, but I think it's more about safety and environmental concerns.' The Boblo Island dock once served ferry passenger service heading to and from the former Boblo Island amusement park. - Written by Rusty Thomson/AM800 News.
CTV News
14 hours ago
- Business
- CTV News
‘It's not an audit': Environmental advocate critical of 'A-List' rating for climate action in Windsor
Windsor, Ont. skyline on the Detroit River at dawn. (Source: Sean Pavone/iStock via Getty Images Plus) The Citizens Environment Alliance (CEA) says the ranking Windsor recently received from CDP is not a true reflection of what's happening in the city. 'It's not an audit or anything close to an audit,' CEA Coordinator Derek Coronado said. According to Coronado, the Carbon Disclosure Project (CDP) ranking is based on points earned through a questionnaire. 'The point system in the questionnaire, you get points for filling it out,' he said. 'But if we look at the indicators in that questionnaire as well, there's a time lag.' Coronado said, for example, when the questionnaire was filled out last year, Windsor was working on two key policies for the environment: The Deep Energy Efficiency Programme (DEER) and the Sandwich South Sustainable Neighbourhood Action Plan (SNAP). 'Oh, that's good. That gets you points,' Coronado explained. However, both were shelved by council, he said. 'So, are we talking about actual climate action or paperwork?' Coronado wondered. According to a news release, Windsor received an 'A' grade from CDP. The city is one of 112 worldwide that have made the list, recognized for leadership in environmental transparency, climate action, and resilience planning. Windsor is just one of eight in Canada to earn such a ranking, although the website doesn't include a list of how the city achieved the ranking. 'We are proud to announce that the City of Windsor has once again achieved an 'A' grade in our 2024 CDP climate reporting, maintaining our strong commitment to environmental sustainability,' said Mayor Drew Dilkens, quoted in a news release. 'Since we began reporting in 2016, we've consistently demonstrated leadership in addressing climate change, earning a leadership level score of A minus or higher each year.' Status of SNAP and DEER The city confirmed late Thursday that SNAP concluded in October 2024 and is publicly available. However, there is no set time for when it intends to proceed with environmental measures contained in it. Meantime, Windsor officials blame a lack of sustainable funding from the upper levels of government for why DEER is not proceeding. It would have seen 80 per cent of Windsor homes retrofitted to have more energy efficient HVAC systems. Coronado said it would have cost Windsor $200 million over ten years. 'It was the major project of the city's Climate Action Plan in terms of the amount of emission reduction it offers,' Coronado said. 'The city doesn't have an alternative to the DEER program. They shelved it and just said, 'That's it. We're not doing it.'' 'The DEER program funding requirements are substantial, and no federal funding is available after 2026,' a city spokesperson said. 'There is too much financial risk to the City of Windsor to proceed with the program and apply for additional funding.' What is Windsor doing right? Coronado said they are pleased with the Stormwater Financing Plan. It bills landowners for stormwater management based on how much natural land they have. Owners with large concrete yards or parking lots will pay more to process the storm rain runoff. 'It's an important project that the city followed through on, despite the complaints so far, they've kept to their guns on it,' Coronado said. Here is the list of programs provided to CTV News from the city about their environmental programs: Windsor Basement Flooding Protection Subsidy Program : This program offers financial support to homeowners to help protect their homes from basement flooding, which is becoming more common due to increased extreme weather events. Eligible improvements include installing sump pumps, backwater valves, and disconnecting downspouts to prevent water from entering the sewer system, thus reducing flood risks. : This program offers financial support to homeowners to help protect their homes from basement flooding, which is becoming more common due to increased extreme weather events. Eligible improvements include installing sump pumps, backwater valves, and disconnecting downspouts to prevent water from entering the sewer system, thus reducing flood risks. Residential Stormwater Management Programs : Windsor residents can take advantage of programs that provide guidance and incentives for managing stormwater on their property. Options like rain barrels, permeable paving, and rain gardens help reduce the amount of stormwater runoff, minimizing the strain on the city's sewer system and lowering flood risks. : Windsor residents can take advantage of programs that provide guidance and incentives for managing stormwater on their property. Options like rain barrels, permeable paving, and rain gardens help reduce the amount of stormwater runoff, minimizing the strain on the city's sewer system and lowering flood risks. Green Bin Program (Upcoming 2025) : Windsor is launching a green bin program aimed at diverting organic waste from landfills. This program allows residents to compost their organic waste, helping reduce methane emissions from landfills and promoting more sustainable waste management practices. : Windsor is launching a green bin program aimed at diverting organic waste from landfills. This program allows residents to compost their organic waste, helping reduce methane emissions from landfills and promoting more sustainable waste management practices. Tree Planting Programs : Windsor offers several tree planting initiatives that encourage residents to plant trees on their properties. Trees provide numerous environmental benefits, such as absorbing carbon dioxide, offering shade that reduces cooling costs, and managing stormwater through natural absorption. : Windsor offers several tree planting initiatives that encourage residents to plant trees on their properties. Trees provide numerous environmental benefits, such as absorbing carbon dioxide, offering shade that reduces cooling costs, and managing stormwater through natural absorption. Windsor Review of Community Improvement Program (Upcoming – Date TBD) : An upcoming program in Windsor may offer incentives to residents/business who install energy efficient upgrades as part of their development. This initiative aligns with the above city efforts to increase the use of renewable energy, reduce reliance on fossil fuels, and help residents lower their energy bills while contributing to climate mitigation efforts. : An upcoming program in Windsor may offer incentives to residents/business who install energy efficient upgrades as part of their development. This initiative aligns with the above city efforts to increase the use of renewable energy, reduce reliance on fossil fuels, and help residents lower their energy bills while contributing to climate mitigation efforts. Encourage a Modal Shift towards Public Transportation and Active Transportation – This plan for expanding and improving the active transportation network of Windsor was approved in June 2019. The plan has set a target to increase the mode share to 25 per cent by 2041. – This plan for expanding and improving the active transportation network of Windsor was approved in June 2019. The plan has set a target to increase the mode share to 25 per cent by 2041. District Energy Systems : Expanding the use of district energy systems to provide efficient heating and cooling. : Expanding the use of district energy systems to provide efficient heating and cooling. Renewable Energy Projects : Increasing the adoption of solar and wind energy within the community. : Increasing the adoption of solar and wind energy within the community. Energy Performance Standards : Implementing higher energy performance standards for new buildings. : Implementing higher energy performance standards for new buildings. Fleet Electrification : Transitioning the city's vehicle fleet to electric vehicles to reduce emissions from transportation. : Transitioning the city's vehicle fleet to electric vehicles to reduce emissions from transportation. Building Retrofits : Upgrading municipal buildings to improve energy efficiency and reduce emissions. : Upgrading municipal buildings to improve energy efficiency and reduce emissions. LED Street Lighting : Converting street lighting to energy-efficient LED technology. : Converting street lighting to energy-efficient LED technology. Waste Reduction Initiatives : Implementing programs to reduce waste and increase recycling within city operations. : Implementing programs to reduce waste and increase recycling within city operations. Energy Management Systems: Installing advanced energy management systems in municipal facilities to optimize energy use. - With files from CTV Windsor's Kate Otterbein and Travis Fortnum.
CBC
29-05-2025
- Lifestyle
- CBC
Silver bass fishing draws anglers — and their litter — to Windsor
The silver bass run in the Detroit River in late May makes Windsor an attraction for fishing enthusiasts from all over. Harbour master Peter Berry and west Windsor resident Dave Rabideau says that also means a yearly glut of garbage.
CTV News
28-05-2025
- General
- CTV News
City councillor advocating for Sandpoint Beach Master Plan
A local city councillor wants Sandpoint Beach to be prioritized in next year's budget. Ward 7 councillor Angelo Marignani issued a notice of motion during Monday's council meeting looking to get the wheels in motion to implement the 2024 Master Plan for Sandpoint Beach and looking to prioritize beach improvements in the 2026 budget. This motion came forward after a 15-year-old boy drowned on May 18. His body was recovered by the OPP dive team the following day - prompting concerns of the beach's safety. The proposed master plan calls for the relocation of the beach east to steer clear of a steep drop-off and strong currents at the western edge, where the Detroit River meets Lake St. Clair. Now that the notice of motion has been presented, it will be discussed and voted on at the next meeting of council, where Marignani said he will submit details of the motion, which would include funding for the plan, funding for the capital budget, a development process for the plan, and that the plan be deemed a priority in the 2026 capital budget process. Marignani said this motion is to allow for the conversation to happen. 'The prime objective of bringing it up is to prioritize the spending of the master plan in the 2026 capital budget.' Sandpoint beach Sandpoint Beach Park Master Plan. (Source: City of Windsor website) He said this needs to stop. 'We have the answer, we know what the solution is and that is moving the beach to its eastern side. So we have to do what we need to do to make it safe. It's a gem, our waterfronts are the reason we love Windsor.' Marignani said the motion will look at all options – including closing the beach until the issue is resolved. 'Safety first and foremost, it's on the table. Everything is on the table, and that's why we need the discussion. The discussion is not going to happen unless we ask for it. The notice of motion is asking for it, or else the discussion would only occur at the next budget meeting when we'd bring it up.' Earlier this year, council asked for more information before voting on whether or not to approve the plan. The estimated price tag to move and revitalize the beach area is $15 million. Since the beach opened in 1980, nine people have drowned in the water near Sandpoint Beach. Council's next meeting will be held on June 9 at 10 a.m. - Written by Meagan Delaurier and Rusty Thomson/AM800 News.
Yahoo
23-05-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Detroit's Manoogian Mansion donor list remains despite calls for transparency
The Brief A nonprofit manages upkeep at the Detroit mayor's residence at the Manoogian Mansion. Some questions have been raised about the secret list of donors who contribute to the nonprofit. DETROIT (FOX 2) - The Manoogian Mansion is part of Detroit's history, donated to the City in the 1960s by its then-owner, Alex Manoogian. For decades it has been used as the residence for the mayor while in office. The backstory "It's a residence on the Detroit River so it requires constant upgrades," said Gene Gargaro, president of the Mayor's Residence Society. And when that work is needed, the nonprofit which manages the mayor's residence, handles it with help from its donors "Our group raises the funds and does the oversight for the residence," Gargaro said. "When the roof leaks, when the paint is peeling, the Manoogian Foundation raises the money and do the repairs, so I'm just grateful for it." But some are calling for the society's donor list to be made public. One of them is Neil Thanedar, the executive director for the Michigan Campaign Finance Network. "The city council's own rules and ordinances say they have to approve all of these," he said. Thanedar said he is the son of Democrat Congressman Shri Thanedar. "Yes. He's my father," he said. Neil Thanedar is now a non-profit leader who says he just wants transparency. During the Mayor Dave Bing administration, city council members did vote to accept a donation for work on the mansion. "I think it's very simple," Thanedar said. "One, the council needs to approve all these donations and we also believe the donors need to be disclosed." But the Mayor's Residence Society disagrees. "I don't think anything is broken," Gargaro said. "There's nothing unique about the fact that it's private. We've had a very successful 60-plus years operating the way we have." Detroit's City Council President Mary Sheffield also weighed in. "Whatever requirements and protocols that have traditionally been in place, we will adhere to," she said. And although that donor list is not being made public, the mayor's residence society did reveal one of the funding sources. "The Manoogian family have been the primary funders of the society," said Gargaro. But for now the other donors will remain private and this nonprofit will continue pushing for transparency. "The transparency just helps us understand whether we can judge as the public and as investigators, whether something looks right or wrong from there," Thanedar said. The Source Information for this report is from interviews with Gene Gargaro and Neil Thanedar.
