The Downtown Windsor Business Improvement Association (DWBIA) is expanding its downtown alley lighting initiative to improve safety and business.
DWBIA Board Chair Larry Horowitz said 15 to 20 more 50-watt LED lights are coming to the alley between the Capitol Theatre and Phog Lounge and the alley between Ouellette Avenue and Pelissier Street from Park Street to University Avenue.
Horwitz said when Phase 4 is finished, there will be a total of about 40 alley lights at a cost of $40,000.
He said recent shootings and stabbings in the core prompted the lighting expansion.
"You have to do it to make a better downtown and we all on the board of directors care about downtown and care about retaining and having businesses and we care about the residents throughout the core area," said Horwitz.
Alleys that are already lighted are between Pelissier and Victoria from Wyandotte to Park, between Ouellette and Goyeau from University to Chatham and between Pelissier and Ouellette from Park to Maiden Lane.
The DWBIA worked with Windsor police, the University of Windsor and Prime Lighting Design to install the lights.
Horowitz said some businesses are happy with what has already been done.
"They thank us and they feel a lot more comfortable coming in during the day and night to work," he said.
Horwitz said the goal is to eventually light all of the alleys in the core if needed.
"If we hear next week that another alley is in need of lighting and help and services, the board will act quickly," Horwitz said.
