The "Celestial Beacon" site for the historic streetcar is flawed on many levels (1). The location adjacent to the Chimchuk History Museum is one location that can meet all of the aims of this public investment.(2 details below)

1. Flaws of Celestial Beacon site:
- less than 1% of City's public survey chose this site, the least favoured of the survey
- ERCA flooding predictions for the riverbank force the streetcar shed, because of it's large size, to violate park development laws that have been in place since 1986.
- after many years of lobbying City Council passed a bylaw in 1986 meant to permanently protect the riverfront parkland from buildings obstructing the view
- after long consideration and research City Council passed Central Riverfront Improvement Plan in 2000 and ratified it in 2014. The imposition of the streetcar shed violates the spirit and design of the long standing plan
- with only 17 days notice during the COVID pandemic, City Council itself passed an exemption to the 1986 bylaw that forbids development north of Riverside Drive that blocks the view of the river
- City Council was given misleading information to prompt the favourable vote: the design has LESS parking than the currently well used parking lot, the building comes to within 21 feet of Riverside Drive, there are a number of strong healthy mature trees to be removed in order to accommodate the large development
- there was no mention of an exception to the park protecting 1986 bylaws when the decision was made in 2018 to locate the streetcar at the Celestial Beacon
- The City does not have the budget to staff the new site without sacrifices elsewhere
- the Federal grant is not forthcoming and the total cost of $7 Million is on the city taxpayer
- the budget for the new library and other City capital priorities need to be sacrificed
- Because of weather limitations, the waterfront location would be closed or not visited most of the year
- school buses cannot access this site
- The remaining Celestial Beacon site development contributes to the riverfront park without violating the 1986 laws protecting the 100% public access and view of the riverfront
- without the streetcar shed the Celestial Beacon would be far less expensive to build and operate
- several large, healthy, mature trees have to be removed to make way for this over-sized project. The Celestial Beacon project on its own can better fit the riverfront park without removing significant, healthy trees
- the ratification of the CRIP in 2014 included the Celestial Beacon focus on the Sculpture Gardens. At least 3 sculptures would have to be relocated to accommodate the enlarged project. Without the streetcar shed the Celestial Beacon on its own would continue to feature the established sculpture garden
- without the streetcar shed the Celestial Beacon will not need as much light emitting glass, a principle that is consistent with being a location to witness the sunset and night stars
- the Celestial Beacon with the streetcar shed would often have lights off in order to see the night sky BUT that would encourage night-time vandalism and damage to the vulnerable glass enclosure. Repairing that damage has significant ongoing cost to taxpayers.
- the Celestial Beacon will still be a valuable and well used development without the streetcar shed

2. The advantages to the Chimchuk Museum site:

- increased draw to the Chimchuk Museum, with increased revenue
- operating budget is already in place for the Museum; no additional operating cost to the city taxpayer
- the historic streetcar can be toured 12 months a year
- school bus tours can readily access this site
- readily available parking
- 3 sided addition to the museum would be far, far less expensive than $7 Million and could be done with donations and sponsors
- reduced city capital and operating costs could better support other Windsor priorities
- important economic spin offs for the downtown: restaurants, hotels, the Aquatic Centre, downtown residents.
- easy walking distance for tourists from the Casino and other downtown historic sites
- less vandalism
- the site is still facing the riverfront, as promoted by the City's original survey
- the Celestial Beacon site is literally NOT IN CONCRETE, it is not built yet. Only architectural fees would be wasted. Nevertheless, the overall operating and capital costs would be far lower at the Chimchuk Museum site.

Therefore, I sign this petition requesting Windsor City Council to "reconsider" the 2018 decision. That decision was to add the Streetcar Shed to the Celestial Beacon of the 2000 Central Riverfront Improvement Project. Instead, I support a new decision to locate it at the Chimchuk Museum site.