Detroit Land Deal Raises Questions About Windsor Properties’ Ownership of Ambassador Bridge News Jani

Detroit Land Deal Raises Questions About Windsor Properties’ Ownership of Ambassador Bridge

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A Windsor city councilor says a land swap deal between the City of Detroit and the owners of the Ambassador Bridge raises questions about the future of company-owned housing on the Canadian side of the bridge.

In an interview with CBC Morning at WindsorCoun Fabio Costante called for more “open communication, transparent communication” from the bridge’s owners, Canadian Transit Co. and Detroit International Bridge Co.

“I think the community wants to know what the intentions of the bridge company are,” Costante said.

Listen: count. Fabio Costante joins Windsor Morning.

Morning at Windsor6:25There are no twin spans for the Ambassador Bridge.

Fabio Costante, Windsor City Councilor representing Ward 2, talks about the Ambassador Bridge with CBC Windsor Morning host Nav Nanua.

The Detroit International Bridge Company has owned residential property just west of the bridge for decades.

It received a permit in 2017 to twin the bridge — though it was unclear whether the properties would play a role in the project.

Count Fabio Costante said he would like the bridge company to be more transparent about its plans for a proposed inspection center and properties in Sandwich Town. (Submitted by Fabio Costante)

The five-year timeline for the permit has now expired, and bridge owner Matthew Morone told reporters after a Feb. 21 Detroit City Council meeting that he no longer plans to move forward with it.

“Gordie Howe is going to be a great bridge, and the Ambassador Bridge is going to last another 75 or 100 years, and I think that’s all we need for the foreseeable future,” he said of the new span across the Detroit River. It is due to be completed in late 2024 or early 2025.

Costante said he was not surprised by Morone’s statement given the lack of progress on the twin project.

But he said the decision to abandon it raised questions about the company’s other plans, particularly whether it still plans to move forward with a proposed inspection plaza in Windsor, and whether Intends to use all of its properties in Sandwich Town. .

“Why is the Bridge Company still holding the remaining houses along Edison, Bloomfield, Rosedale, Brock, Felix, etc. when these houses were never taken within the permit?” he asked.

Demand for more transparency

“They no longer have to fulfill what was once the intent of the bridge to build the connecting highway, which they have publicly stated is no longer of interest to them. … We Everyone knows the need for affordable housing in their community. And so again, I would ask Paul, what are their intentions with these homes?”

He said the bridge company has reached out to several councilors and elected representatives in recent weeks, but Costante has yet to meet with his officials.

Given the opportunity, he said he plans to ask her questions directly.

Matthew Morone told the CBC in March 2022 that he would like to improve the relationship between the bridge company and the people of Windsor and Detroit. (Carlos Osorio/The Associated Press)

CBC News reached out to the owners of the Ambassador Bridge for comment, but did not receive a response.

Morone, chairman of the Detroit International Bridge Company, told the CBC last March that he wanted to improve relations with the people of Windsor and Detroit after decades of conflict with his late father, Manuel, “Matty” Morone.

Costante said the company needs to be more transparent if it wants to build trust with residents.

When it comes to the potential new inspection plaza, Costante said he recognizes that the project is federal rather than municipal.