Windsor's Ward 3 City Councillor said he feels the change in the air downtown.
Renaldo Agostino believes business is up because more patrons are coming to his nightclub.
"There's a lot of energy downtown," he said. "There's a lot of great things going on downtown because my numbers are up. Usually, in February and March, that's not something I can say."
Renaldo Agostino announcing he is running for Ward 3 Councillor in the City of Windsor, August 9, 2022. (Photo by Maureen Revait)
It's not just a feeling. New housing developments mean more people are living downtown. In recent months, restaurant Cucina 360 and clothing retailer N4E1 have opened, and Starbucks is returning.
Agostino believes it's only natural after three years of COVID-19.
For the longest time, there were perceptions Downtown Windsor just wasn't safe, and people didn't care.
Agostino said the latter isn't true, and he and his colleagues on city council are addressing the former.
He hinted councillors could soon reveal a new safety initiative to help patrons feel welcome, but he isn't saying much more. Asked if he could elaborate, Agostino said, "I can not."
He will say the new investment is driven almost entirely by business owners.
"You only open up a business if you think you're going to make money. Right now, people downtown are making money," he said.
Not that city hall isn't interested in helping. Agostino said other initiatives in discussion are something business leaders have been demanding for years.
Again, he's tight-lipped on what those measures could be.
