Property owner calls $11K information request on Pelissier garage 'wasteful'

An $11,000 move to unseal private documents from city hall about gutting the retail space of the Pelissier Street parking garage is being called "wasteful" by one prominent downtown landowner.

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Uncovering some conspiracy is very unlikely, according to Joseph Mikhail.

"It's absolutely wrong for them to move forward," said Mikhail, who owns several properties in the core with his company Mikhail Holdings.

He's referring to the Downtown Windsor Business Improvement Association's recent announcement it will pay  thousands for a Freedom of Information request for details on the controversial decision to push out businesses and replace them with more parking spaces in the downtown structure.

'This is our money that we pay as downtown business owners.- Joseph Mikhail, Mikhail Holdings

Based on internal discussions, DWBIA chair Larry Horwtiz said the organization hopes to learn exactly why the decision was made. 

Most of the money is coming from the DWBIA's own budget, while $4,000 was raised using GoFundMe campaign spearheaded by Horwitz.

"The election is over and Mr. Horwitz lost the mayor's seat and he should act as the [chair] of the DWBIA, not as elected [official] trying to gain a seat for the next election using business money," said Mikhail. "This is our money that we pay as downtown business owners."

Horowitz doesn't plan to run in next election

During the 2014 mayoral race, Horwitz landed third behind current mayor Drew Dilkens. However, Horwitz dismisses any rumblings that the request for information is a ploy to benefit him in next year's municipal election.

"I have no plans right now to run for any position," said Horwitz. "I just want to do a good job, help the community, fight for the community and fight for downtown."

Although Horwitz concedes the GoFundMe campaign means there's no going back, he still believes it's money well spent if it means more transparency from city hall.

"We haven't been able to find out why they moved forward on this," said Horwitz. "It's a regrettable situation, but something had to be done."

Other ideas for money

Spending the $11,000 on beautification, streetscaping or even promoting the core would have been more appropriate, according to Mikhail.

He added his hope is the DWBIA will move on and be more of a "cheerleader" for the downtown instead of "continuously looking for a fight with city hall."