A local artist in downtown Windsor is drawing attention to the numerous empty storefronts in the city’s core by putting up large orange and black signs that read “Spirit Halloween Coming Soon.” Daniel Bombardier, also known as Denial, initiated this project to raise awareness of the abandoned buildings that he describes as looking haunted.
Bombardier acquired hundreds of these signs and began displaying them as he noticed a trend of utilizing the Spirit Halloween banner in popular memes. He believes that Spirit Halloween’s temporary nature should be a year-round concept, emphasizing the stark contrast between the festive signs and the desolate buildings.
By showcasing the abundance of vacant properties, Bombardier aims to spark initiatives to repurpose these spaces through rent subsidies or incentives to prevent them from appearing abandoned. He compares the eerie atmosphere of the boarded-up buildings to a post-apocalyptic setting reminiscent of a Spirit Halloween store.
Jess Reimer, who collaborated on the project, mentions that more signs are available for others to participate in spreading awareness. The goal is to bring a sense of amusement and provoke discussions about the revitalization of downtown Windsor.
Reflecting on Detroit’s successful rejuvenation through art and creative projects, Bombardier envisions similar potential for Windsor’s core. Reimer stresses the need for a transformation in Windsor’s downtown, emphasizing the negative impact of the closed businesses and homeless presence.
City Councillor Renaldo Agostino finds the signs amusing and believes they stimulate conversations about the downtown area, noting that they are not exclusive to vacant buildings. Chris MacLeod of the Downtown Windsor Business Improvement Association sees the signs as a way to draw attention to available spaces for potential businesses.
Agostino is focused on attracting new investments to fill the empty storefronts and change the narrative from vacancy to vibrancy in the downtown area. Despite economic uncertainties, he remains optimistic about the prospect of major companies returning to downtown Windsor, signaling promising developments on the horizon.
