jan-2018

68 69 AMHERSTBURG, ONTARIO distance along that main street and spilling over into the rest of town.” BVM: Will there be residential development in that area? Miceli: “We’re going through a community improvement plan; establishing urban design standards to facilitate the preservation of our downtown core in the heritage fashion, with incentives provided for façade improvements. And, we’d like to get a hotel, which will work in with our plan for the waterfront, transient marina, and the downtown.We’re also em- barking on a seniors’ master plan. Currently, 20 percent of our population is seniors. That’s expected to jump to 25 percent in the next four years.We want to make sure we’re a wel- coming community, that’s not only walkable in our downtown core, but also offering pro- gramming and amenities for seniors. “We have one new subdivision “Mead- owview” that’s come on-stream. Our market tells us most of the seniors are looking for semi-detached or townhouses and that new development will accommodate that.We also have an extension of Kingsbridge sub- division coming in 2018. The initial phase of 58 lots has been sold out, and we’re working on a development plan to bring in municipal infrastructure for our southeast quadrant, which will allow another 1500 lots to be put on-stream.” BVM: How are you investing in the future of the business community? Miceli: “As part of our strategic plan, we have a pillar for marketing the town as a des- tination for young families and seniors.We’re making investments to support that through our tourism department.We’re making invest- ments through economic development and targeting growth for our business community. Working out this deal for fiber connectivity is a really positive sign for Amherstburg.We are also getting a new state-of-the-art, du- al-stream high school. “The other pillar is investment in infrastruc- ture. One of the key actions was to initiate the necessary service plans to facilitate growth and development. That whole southeast quad- rant would not happen if the town didn’t take the lead in oversizing for services to allow the 1500 lots.We’re making a great deal of progress, all within the fourth pillar, which is financial sustainability.We’re doing everything within the means we currently have.Where we don’t have the means, we’re going to partner with people to make sure we can deliver it.” BVM: Anything else you’d like to add about the importance of high-speed communication for Amherstburg? Miceli: “A community can’t survive these days without high-speed internet. I view it the same as water or sewers. If you don’t have those you can’t have a thriving municipality. Where we’re located, just 20 minutes from Windsor, we have so many amenities to offer. By putting this other tool in our toolbox, it’s going to play a very strategic role in the rapid growth of our community. In addition, we’ve become the most progressive municipality in our region with a new public engagement platform www.talktheburg.ca . It highlights all our budgetary items, master plans, the water- front project, and gauges feedback from resi- dents, all on one site.” DiCarlo: “People will communicate with you on all social formats.We have all those