The City of Windsor has finally selected a proponent to develop the former Grace Hospital site.

On July 16, Windsor City Council unanimously approved the team led by Ohio-based Fairmount Properties as the successful developer to proceed to the next stage of planning and design activity for a project that is being described as, “a vibrant mixed-use international village.”

The consortium also includes Windsor-area firms Architecttura and Oscar Construction Company Limited. Both firms were selected for their understanding of the social compact of the community and neighbourhood.

“It is a tremendous honour to be selected by The City of Windsor in its efforts to create a walkable, architecturally significant mixed-use destination that will combine world-class housing options with relevant national, regional, and local retailers; culturally diverse markets; and high quality restaurants,” said Fairmount Properties principal Randy Ruttenberg. “We understand the significance of the faith and trust placed in us and are fully prepared to bring Windsor’s vision to reality.”

Located at the corner of Crawford Avenue and University Avenue West, the six-acre, former hospital site has been vacant since 2013. The hospital located on the site—the Salvation Army Grace Hospital—served the community between 1920 and 2004 before sitting idle for nine years.

Reports suggests that the Grace site was sold to the developers for $1.2 million.

The City of Windsor launched an expression of interest process last May with a view of ensuring new development on the site would meet the city’s goals of community renewal and urban revitalization. The city preferred Fairmount’s proposal for the site because it offered the highest quality urban renewal project, while protecting and enhancing the existing neighbourhood.

“While the City of Windsor received multiple qualified and dynamic proposals, the vision presented by Fairmount Properties most clearly aligned with our goals,’ said Mayor Drew Dilkens. “Importantly, in selecting Fairmount Properties, the City of Windsor is welcoming a new market participant, and we hope that they continue to find development opportunities in our region. This is a sign that confirms what all of us already know – that the City of Windsor is an attractive location for investment and job creation, and it supports a terrific quality of life.”

The next stage in the development process will see Fairmount Properties consult with community stakeholders on specific project design features to ensure that the views of area residents are reflected in the final site plan.

“At this early stage, we believe this particular plan makes the best use of the site within this specific context, creates the greatest pedestrian scale and amenities for its residents, and can be achievable in a single phase,” said Dan Amicone, lead design principle at Architecttura.

At this point in time, no development schedule has been set, but Fairmount hopes to have shovels in the ground by the end of this year. From there, the site could take up to two years to fully develop.