Reader’s Letter: Wind, Weather Hazards Should Be Considered With Proposed Riverfront Roof

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Aware of the weather conditions along the Detroit River through the Great Lakes, I have witnessed quite a few “big bumps” in my life as a resident in close association with the Detroit River.

Of particular interest, my inquisitive disposition led me to the “Freshwater Fury” or “White Hurricane” from the 2013 Great Lakes storm that devastated the Great Lakes basin. The highest reported gust was 90 mph (150 km / h) that lasted intermittently from November 6 to November 11 of that year.

It is proposed to shade the riverfront shell with an imaginative pseudo-amphitheater.

An acoustic evaluation as reported leaves to speculate further determinations on whether to proceed with this expensive $ 32 million venture without a thorough in-depth investigation.

Without a doubt, the proposed design is as unique as a reminder of a protective plastic sheet on the floor of a renovation project. However, seriously, imaginative designs like the Sydney Opera House and the Bilbao and Guggenheim Museums are unique venues, all conceived as completely enclosed facilities.

The canopy conceived for the Windsor seafront is, in my opinion, nothing more than a “sail” set on its side. It would be subject to positive and negative upward air pressures that can possibly wreak havoc on the anchors and the combination of cloth-like material and translucent materials.

Will it disintegrate or can it disintegrate?

It is different from the Aretha Franklin Amphitheater (Chene Park) across the river, which is blown by the wind by the landscape and built surroundings. Windsor’s situation is on an open water site subject to exposure to northwest and northeast wind and gusts of varying severity.

Aside from the riverfront levy, risk mitigation should be the answer first and foremost to the approval of a commitment to continue with the next stage of this adventure.

There are countless questions and other opportunities to consider.

William Kachmaryk Sr., Windsor

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Reference-windsorstar.com

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