Future Home ofCELESTIAL BEACON

STREETCAR No. 351

VIRTUAL INFORMATION PACKAGE

CELESTIAL BEACON

PURPOSE:

To provide information to the residents of Windsor regarding the design of the CELESTIAL

BEACON / future home of Streetcar No. 351, and to collect feedback on the design. BEACON

CELESTIAL BEACON

PROJECT BACKGROUND:

The CELESTIAL BEACON is one of 5 key ‘Beacons’ outlined in the Central Riverfront Implementation Plan (CRIP). The

other beacons located along the riverfront from west to east are the Legacy, Peace, City and Dawn Beacons.

The Central Riverfront Implementation Plan is a master planning document that guides the development of the Central

Riverfront a 6km stretch of parkland from the Ambassador Bridge on the West to Hiram Walker on the East. The CRIP was

developed through a highly collaborative public consultation process involving the widest cross-section of the Windsor

community whereby many individually and collectively provided input and feedback on the plans that were adopted by

Council in 2000. (See Link to the CRIP)

The CELESTIAL BEACON is situated as the westernmost Beacon closest to the University of Windsor, a reflection of

where the sun sets and evening begins, this Beacon’s theme brings attention to the night sky. The observation deck and

earth sheltered building provide a great viewing platform.

CELESTIAL BEACON

CELESTIAL BEACON

CELESTIAL BEACONLOCATION PLAN

CELESTIAL BEACONSITE DESIGN CONSIDERATIONS

• Integration of the building

into the embankment

• Accessibility

• Pedestrian walkway/

multiuse trail connections

• Provide plaza/terrace

close to the river with

unobstructed views

• Provide rooftop

observation deck

• Proximity to parking site

amenities

• Shade and access to

concession for food and

beverage

• Streetcar No. 351 Gallery

• Special events

Concession and Patio Terrace

Accessible Pedestrian Connections

Bike Parking

CELESTIAL BEACONSITE FEATURES AND AMENITIES

• Public Washrooms

• Concession

• Shaded Patio/Terrace

(1,200 SQ. M)

• Observation Deck

• Gallery Space for

Streetcar No. 351

• Parking Lot with Electric

Vehicle Charging Stations

• Multiuse Trail/ Pathways

• Bike Parking

• Special Events Rental

Space

CELESTIAL BEACONSITE LINES AND VIEWS

Looking West Looking EastLooking North

CELESTIAL BEACON

PROJECT MILESTONES:

• Streetcar No. 351 was donated to the City in October of 2017, RM Restoration was hired to

undertake a complete restoration.

• A public Open House was held on January 31, 2018 at the Chimczuk Museum. The public was

invited to provide feedback on the final location and use for the Streetcar No. 351 after

refurbishment. At the same time a public survey was launched and remained open until

February 28, 2018.

• On June 4th 2018 a report went to council regarding the final location of Streetcar No. 351 based

on public feedback received to date, at which point the CELESTIAL BEACON site was

approved. It was at this juncture the two projects found synergies that made sense to be

carried out together in order to provide a meaningful space and home for Streetcar No. 351.

Council directed administration to proceed with further investigative work including soil testing,

design sketches and to further investigate the feasibility of housing Streetcar No. 351 at this

location pending budget approval in the 2019 Capital Budget.

• Once the 2019 budget was approved the City hired Architecttura Architects & Engineers to help

develop the CELESTIAL BEACON site and building.

• This information package is the result of further investigation of the site and the integration of

Streetcar No. 351 at this location.

CELESTIAL BEACON

CELESTIAL BEACON

CELESTIAL BEACON

DESIGN VISION

• As a basis for design, our focus was to merge

the building program for the CELESTIAL

BEACON together with the proposed gallery

space for the Streetcar No. 351

BUILDING DESIGN

• CELESTIAL BEACON – follow the mandate as prescribed in the CRIP

• Reduce the overall impact of the building

• minimize size and footprint

• retain views of the Detroit skyline

• blend the building to coincide with present landscape and sculpture garden

• minimize height above grade to preserve views of the Riverfront

• CELESTIAL BEACON

CELESTIAL BEACON

CENTRAL RIVERFRONT IMPLEMENTATION PLAN (CRIP)

• Site the building into the riverbank

• Provide an earth sheltered design with a focus towards energy

efficiency

• Provide a rooftop landscaped terrace

• Maximize and capture scenic views of sunsets, riverfront and

night sky

• Provide amenity support spaces

(ie: washrooms,concessions, dining terrace)

• Preserve the existing pedestrian trail and

walkways along Riverside Drive

• Respect the views of the riverfront at each

intersecting street along Riverside Drive

CELESTIAL BEACON

STREETCAR No. 351 GALLERY

• Provide a gallery space to accommodate Streetcar

No. 351

• Event terrace with licensed concession stand

• Minimize footprint and reduce above grade portion

• Maximize building portion below grade

• Current plan

• 450 sq metre (4,843 SF)

• Only 29.5% of building is above grade, with

a small portion of the roof elevated 7’ above

the crown of Riverside Drive; the remainder

of the building is below grade

• Projection above grade is a sculptural building

design with transparent glass that is in harmony

with the current sculpture garden

CELESTIAL BEACON

ENERGY EFFICIENCY

• Design that meets the current 2030 challenge

• Involves reducing carbon footprint and reduce dependency on fossil fuels

• Green design targets

• Utilize sunshades and baffles to reduce effective heat gain

• Incorporate high albedo surface around the building to reduce heat island

• Produce an efficient design strategy with a low Energy Use Intensity (EUI)

NEXT STEPS

• ONLINE SURVEY MAY 29th TO JUNE 10, 2020

• REPORT TO COUNCIL JUNE 15, 2020

CELESTIAL BEACON

Thank you! We would love to hear from you, please see the link below to give us

your feedback.

Visit citywindsor.ca and search “Celestial Beacon” to take our short

survey (closes June 10 2020) and view the virtual tour.

CELESTIAL BEACON