Walker Power Building

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• I agree that this buliding is underused. But of course the Fire Department, when needed, states that buildings are a fire hazard if their is a vendetta or if the city needs the land. (Look at Patterson Collegiate as one small example). Yet how many rooming houses are allowed to exist with little to no inspections?

  This building IMO would still make great lofts or a place where various businesses could upstart (incubators). As for the contaminants in the ground? Well there are large areas in Windsor that had them but we have built or use them as park lands and no on says a word.

• geez...everytime i drive by that building i have visions of what it could be if given a chance. art/live workspaces, lofts, a group of small businesses. it's sad to see it just sitting there underutilized and left to decay. i went to a party there a looong time ago. it was a fantastic place.

  does anyone have any ideas about whether or not it would make a difference if a group of citizens pushed the issue of this builing forward? i'd hate it if nothing was done and the structure was demolished.

• From what I understand the major problem with reuse is the lack of the almighty parking. The parcel the building sits on is very small, and the owners of the adjoining properties aren't willing to sell the land at anything close to a reasonable price.

  The thing IMO that will save this place, is that (so I hear..) Hiram Walker's is planning to demolish the white silos opposite the Power Building in the next 5 years or so...

  If that happens, this building with a river view should be ripe for rehabilitation...

• I shared an office with Linda Balga in this building, back in 1999. It seemed the building was being used perfectly back then- small businesses, artist and jam spaces, etc. What happened? Did it sell, and the new owners left it to rot? I know it's condemned now, but it wasn't in 1999. It was a vibrant, unique place to work.

  I'd be a part of any movement to save this building. And isn't there a parking lot already there? The same field that the Walkerville Art Walk mojito tent was in this past July?

• there is some parking, and alot of street parking in that area, i don't see parking as a huge issue... i really would hate if this building became a victim of arson or the wrecking ball.

  i don't see this becomeing a loft apartment anytime soon, the club lofts still stand empty. and the cost of renovation would push lofts in this building to a similar price point.

  in my opinion i would love to see the first floor filled with resturant and retail. i would imagine the upper floors would make for a very unique hotel.

• I'm wondering if this is the same building that my mother would take me to in the early to mid 70's in order to purchase discount fabrics? I recall having to ascend some stairs, so the retail area within this building rented by the fabric company was at least on the 2nd floor or higher. As I was only 10 - 13 years of age when we would go there, I was frightened somewhat by the "ancient" looking interior that reminded me of an Industrial Revolution sweat shop.

• That's weird about the silos Andrew. What the hell..are they leaving town too? How can a distillery function without grains and stuff? I suppose there are probably more efficient means of storing the stuff now. Hope CN doesn't end up losing this customer.
  I had read that the city wanted to try and work with HW to set up viewing platforms on top of the silos.

• well if they demo the silos, then this building might become alot more desirable for adaptive reuse

• My band used to have a jam space there in the early 2000s. There was some problem with fire code violations. (No fire doors.) The landlord didn't want to spend the money to bring it up to code, so it was condemned.

• does anyone know who owns this building?