The $280.2M Sandwich South plan the new council inherits
Windsor's next council takes over a $280.2M plan to open the Sandwich South lands. City records: $238.9M is to be repaid from development charges, with a first loan of up to $119.4M. The March vote was 10-1, with Fred Francis the only councillor opposed.
Topics: Council and City Hall
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When Windsor's new council takes office on Nov. 15, it inherits a plan to borrow for the roads, ponds and other works meant to open up the Sandwich South lands. Council endorsed the financing plan on March 30, 2026 (decision CR140/2026).
The plan
The City's report to council (C 26/2026) lists five phases of work, which it calls the Sandwich South Development Capital Works. They include road work for the Airport Employment Lands, stormwater management ponds, and design of the Lauzon Parkway extension to a future Highway 401 interchange. The total estimated cost is $280.2 million over about 10 years.
Who pays
The report says $238.9 million is to be funded from development charges, the fees paid when land is developed. The other $41.3 million is to come from other sources.
The City plans to borrow first and repay as the charges come in. Council approved a first application to Infrastructure Ontario for up to $119.4 million, for phases 1 and 2.
The vote
The motion carried 10-1. Fred Francis, then the Ward 1 councillor, was the only member opposed. Unofficial results show Francis was elected mayor on Oct. 26, and the new term starts Nov. 15.
