Downtown Revitalization

Project History

The Downtown Revitalization Project refers to a planned development happening within a three-block stretch of property.

The property is located along the train tracks between 4th and 7th Street, just north of Windsor’s Main Street businesses and south of Windsor Lake. Because the space is comprised of a series of empty lots located behind several Main Street businesses, the location is sometimes referred to as the "backlots”.

As experienced by other communities, adding new development—specifically to the downtown area—can serve as a catalyst for revitalization. A new development has the potential to bring more diverse shopping, entertainment, and dining options to our community.

Additional benefits may include:

• a more consistent, year-round customer base,
• improved customer spending at existing businesses,
• the creation of new job opportunities,
• increased property values, and
• an opportunity for existing businesses to expand their building density.

Finding new opportunities to make our downtown an attractive year-round destination can also result in greater sales tax income which can offset the cost of future corridor improvements. To this end, the Town of Windsor and Downtown Development Authority (DDA) are working with Tribe Development Group to plan and develop this space.

Who owns the land? 

The property is made up of three parcels, two owned by the DDA and the other, the site between 6th Street and Hwy. 257 where the American Legion is located, is owned by the Town of Windsor.

What is the role of the DDA?

The DDA serves to enhance the atmosphere and economic vitality of Windsor’s downtown corridor. Since the district was established in 2011, property values and sales tax generation have both increased and the corridor has experienced a resurgence of public and private investment. The district’s ongoing efforts and their involvement in key catalyst projects, are aimed at making Windsor’s downtown a thriving community destination.

The district maintains its vision to actively pursue and facilitate opportunities that support current and future downtown business success. Visit the DDA’s to learn more.

Is there a project timeline? When will plans be released?

In July of 2022, the developer (Tribe Development) produced and released renderings to help the community gain a better understanding of what the project could look like. They are posted on Tribe's website.

Several images include:

• A view from the east looking toward the west across from Windsor Mill;
• A view from the Keyhole (DDA Thru Lot) looking north;
• A view on 5th Street looking north toward Boardwalk Park;
• A view looking northeast with a view of the 500 Block;
• A view from across the lake looking back toward downtown and the mountains.

These images present the project’s current anticipated design. While additional architectural work will be required to finalize the project, initial renderings give a sense of the project’s style, scale and character.

Once project details are finalized, a formal site plan application will be submitted and the proposed project will undergo a detailed review by Town of Windsor departments and referral agencies. The process includes a review of the Development Agreement by the Town and DDA Boards. Final plan approval takes place during a public meeting.

The Town of Windsor’s meeting and agenda webpages provide the most reliable and accurate meeting information. Final plan approval will take place during a public meeting. Meeting agendas for Town Board and the Planning Commission are posted in accordance with state law. Residents can subscribe online to receive email and text notifications when new meeting agendas are posted. Additional meeting transparency is provided through WindsorTV broadcasts, which are available via online livestream and playback. Windsor Town Board meetings are also broadcast via Apple TV and Roku on the WindsorTV app, and via Comcast channels 8 and 880. The Town of Windsor will update this page with reliable and accurate information as it becomes available.

How long is construction expected to take?

Construction on the downtown development project is anticipated to last between 18 and 24 months.

What will the development include?

The development is expected to deliver approximately 200 residential units, 435 parking spaces, and 12,000 square feet of commercial space.

How will this project impact parking?

The goal of the Downtown Revitalization Project is to attract new investment to downtown Windsor. Having a well-planned and coordinated parking system is vital to the long-term fiscal health of the community. It ensures the continued viability of Windsor’s small-town character. As part of the planning process for the new development, parking will be required to accommodate the site’s new uses. In other words, this development will be required to completely self-park.

In 2020, Town of Windsor began work on the Downtown Parking Study and adopted it in July 2022. The consultant selected to manage the study was tasked with researching, gathering input from the community, and making recommendations to the Planning Commission and Town Board with downtown businesses engaged as primary stakeholders. Based on the analysis, early recommendations include shared parking agreements, diagonal parking, property acquisition and new parking structures, all of which are all being considered as downtown parking improvements.

Will the project impact public access and/or the aesthetics of Windsor Lake and downtown? 

Public access to Windsor Lake will not be impacted by the development.

Recent renderings have provided conceptual images of the potential project. Views include a perspective from across the lake and looking toward the park. Development code and corridor plans are in place to protect the aesthetics of an area. Design elements are reviewed and bound by general material guidelines. Existing structures and the lake will be considered.