The first phase of Windsor’s Civic Esplanade, known as City Hall Square, is rapidly nearing completion, with plans for an opening in time to host summer events. This development is set to create a dynamic, year-round public space, designed to serve as a vibrant hub for the community.

Stretching over a kilometre, the esplanade connects the new city hall, which opened in 2019, to the scenic Detroit riverfront. It is part of a larger, ambitious project aimed at revitalizing the downtown area by transforming it into a multifunctional public space for both residents and visitors.

James Chacko, the city’s director of parks, recreation, and facilities, shared that the project is progressing well and is expected to be open later this year, just in time for spring and summer activities. The $15.4 million project will include several features such as a water fountain with programmable LED lighting, planters, seating areas with tables, and shaded spaces with hard umbrellas. The area will also welcome private sector partnerships, including food trucks and cultural groups, to help create a lively atmosphere and encourage social engagement.

Chacko emphasized that the space is designed with flexibility in mind, aiming to offer a wide range of outdoor community programming. Its design includes landscaping and hardscaping elements that will help transform the area into a versatile location for events and activities. The goal is to attract people into the downtown core, making it a central gathering place for the community.

In addition to its spring and summer offerings, the space will also cater to winter activities. Permanent seating arrangements are being built to support both seasonal uses, including the transformation of the area into an NHL-sized ice rink for the winter months. This conversion will offer a unique venue for skating, further contributing to the space’s role as a year-round destination for Windsor’s residents and visitors.