in most cities that i've been to, the downtown core has multi-purpose and multi-level buildings throughout itself as a defining architectural decision. so, for example, some of the places i rented in ottawa had pizza pizzas or chinese restaurants on the main floor, and apartments upstairs.

that essentially doesn't exist in windsor, where all of the buildings are either company-built skyrises (like the chrysler building) or they are single floor commercial spaces. the latter takes up a disproportionate part of downtown windsor, which robs the city of prime real estate.

if they built apartments on top of these businesses, i can promise you people would move in. i'd much rather live within walking distance of the tunnel, night clubs, etc than have to transit in to downtown, which is a pain in the ass, but the only places to live downtown are condos, corporate high rises (of which there are very few) or subsidized units. there's no normal affordable housing.