2026 Downtown Revitalization Survey

Strengthen the Core Impact Survey

The information collected in this survey is gathered under the authority of Section 10 of the Municipal Act, 2001, and is protected under the Municipal Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act. Community feedback will be summarized in a future Report to Council regarding the Strengthen the Core – Downtown Windsor Revitalization Plan.

If you have any questions about this collection, please contact: Taylor Lanoie Corporate Marketing and Communications Officer, Corporation of the City of Windsor at tlanoie@citywindsor.ca

Background
In 2024, in response to challenges and concerns in Windsor’s downtown core—and to harness the area's many opportunities—Mayor Drew Dilkens and City Council launched a locally developed, solutions-focused initiative: the Strengthen the Core – Downtown Windsor Revitalization Plan. The plan aims to:

Improve the image of downtown Windsor
Enhance safety and confidence for businesses, customers, and residents
Connect individuals to appropriate supports when and where needed
Promote cleanliness and activations to attract investment, businesses, residents, and visitors.

The initial development phase included:

18 one-on-one interviews
2 focus groups with residents, businesses, and service providers
A community survey with over 3,500 responses
Written submissions

As directed by Council, the City of Windsor is launching its annual Downtown Windsor survey and inviting residents, business owners, property owners, service providers, employees, and visitors to participate. The survey is intended to gather feedback, monitor key performance metrics, and measure progress on the implementation of the Strengthen the Core Downtown Windsor Revitalization Plan, helping inform future priorities and actions for the downtown. Your input will help assess the impact of the plan and guide future investments, programming, and partnerships.

SURVEY DETAILS
Open Dates: August 7 to September 7, 2026
Platform: Survey Monkey
Public Notice: Media release and social media posts

We value your feedback. Please take a few moments to share your thoughts and help shape the future of downtown Windsor.

4.On a scale from 1-5, what is your overall feeling/perception of safety in the downtown core?
(1 = I do not feel safe at all; 5 = I feel completely safe).

5.How has your feeling/perception of safety changed in the last year? Select one option.

6.At what time of day do you feel less safe in the downtown core? Select all that apply.

Morning (i.e., 6:00am-12:00pm).

Afternoon (i.e., 12:00pm-5:00pm).

Evening (i.e., 5:00pm-8:00pm).

Overnight (i.e., 8:00pm-6:00am).

Not applicable – no difference depending on time of day.

I always feel safe downtown.

7.Are there any parts of Windsor’s downtown that stand out as areas of concern or in need of special attention? Select one option.

Yes – some parts of the downtown are worse than others.

No – issues (if any) are present across the downtown.

If you chose yes, please explain:

8.Are there any new initiatives happening in downtown Windsor that are working well and/or have been successful? Select one option.

Yes.

No.

If you chose yes, please explain:

9.At what time of day do you feel the safest in the downtown core? Select all that apply.

Morning (i.e., 6:00am-12:00pm)

Afternoon (i.e., 12:00pm-5:00pm)

Evening (i.e., 5:00pm-8:00pm)

Overnight (i.e., 8:00pm-6:00am)

I never feel safe downtown.

I always feel safe downtown.

Not applicable – no difference depending on time of day.

10.What do you think the top strengths of Windsor’s downtown core are?

11.What would make you want to spend more time in Windsor’s downtown core?

12.Do you feel there are gaps in the kinds of services that exist for vulnerable populations in Windsor’s downtown core? For example, mental health and/or addictions services for unhoused persons. Select one option.

Significant gaps exist.

Some gaps exist.

The kinds of services offered are adequate.

I don’t know.

13.What kinds of services or supports are missing in Windsor’s downtown core? Select all that apply.

Shelter spaces for unhoused persons during the evening/night.

Day center facilities for unhoused persons.

Interim/transitional housing for unhoused persons.

Permanent housing for unhoused persons.

Mental health and/or addictions supports for persons in crisis during the day.

Mental health and/or addictions supports for persons in crisis during the evening/night.

Public warming/cooling centers.

The kinds of services offered are adequate.

If you chose other, please explain:

14.Are there gaps in when services are available to vulnerable populations? Select one option.

Yes

I don't know.

If you chose yes, please explain

20.Which of the following Healthy Spaces initiatives are you aware of? Select all that apply.

Extended Hours and Services at the Homelessness and Housing Help Hub (H4)

Expanded Services for the Windsor Police Service’s Nurse Police Team

Expanded Hours of the Windsor Police Service’s Crisis Response Team

Increased By-law Enforcement Measures (targeted enforcement in the downtown core, stronger penalties/fines for vacant buildings and those requiring repair, more frequent patrols by bylaw officers)

Expanded Mental Health Services (e.g., Hôtel-Dieu Grace Healthcare's Mental Health and Addictions Urgent Crisis Centre)

21.In your opinion, how effective are the current Healthy Spaces initiatives (listed in Question 20) in improving the downtown environment?

22.Do you have any other general comments that will help inform our Downtown Revitalization work? Select one option.

Yes

If you chose yes, please explain:

24.Which of the following best describes how you typically experience downtown? (Select all that apply)

Solo visits

Spending time with a partner

Socializing with friends, dining or nightlife

Family outings, including children

Work related visits or meetings

Attending events or organized activities

Running errands or quick stops

Exploring, walking, or sightseeing

Other (please specify)

25.To the best of your knowledge, did you complete either of the previous STC - Downtown Revitalization surveys in 2024 or 2025?

Yes

I don't know

20%