Next up on the chopping block…

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• That's actually a very nice building. It looks very solid. I hope they don't tear it down. Who's the owner? Is there a petition against demolition I can sign like they did with saving the Holy Name of Mary church? My experience with trying to talk to Councilors normally falls on deaf eyes, esp. with guys like Valentinis. Maybe next election, we can vote for some more responsive candidates.

• I do hope they can save this building, I recall visiting it for years before the BoM moved out. It could make for a nice office for attorneys, or real estate (whatever hope there is for that).

  At the same time, I would hate to see it turned into a tattoo parlor or convenience store. If a dignified use can't be found, I'd rather not see it used any longer.

  Any idea what was on the site before the bank? It was built no doubt to serve the thousands of nearby auto workers. Obviously, the neighborhood has changed dramatically. Those workers are largely gone and never coming back.

• I am all for saving these historical buildings and what not....but it always seems that everyone is quick to jump on the sign the petition bandwagon and manages to convince the city to designate the building, and then that's it. The city never helps the ownsers of theses buildings after they have designated them, and told them they cant do anything with it now. No one is there to support the people who own the buildings when it comes to the high cost of preserving them or in the case if the bank here paying the property taxes and the such of a building that will most likely sit empty. Look at Assumption church, it needs over 10 million in work, sure its been designated, but does that help....Not really. Same will go for Holy Names.

• Hmmm.... That's not true, there are funds available to assist the property owners with restoration. Assumption is a different story. That is a story of greed and arrogance by the diocese in London. They for years have refused to do maintenance on their buildings, and as a result they are in the shape they are in. 10 million dollars in repairs don't pop up overnight.

  There are programs in place to assist the owners, but they owners need to apply. The Diocese in London, will never apply for assistance because they are at odds with preservationists. They would rather cut their nose off to spite their face.

  The biggest problem, is that once these buildings are demolished, they are never coming back. To tear down a building like this for a parking lot is shameful. Our history in this city has be abused for far too long, just look at the Seagrave building, there could have been funds available for that building. but the owner was far too shortsighted to look for alternatives to his illegal demolition.

  No one forced the current owner to buy the Bank of Montreal building. He did so willingly with the hope of destroying it for a parking lot. Now maybe he won't be allowed to tear it down, and will have to actually try and market the building.

  We need to stand up and save the historical look and feel of our old neighbourhoods, otherwise we're destined for cookie cutters and strip malls.

• David,
  Even though Mr. Valentinis is not in my ward I called him on a few occasions and he has always called me back. In fact we talked for over 1/2 hour one day on the phone. Maybe it is your approach as to why councillors don't get back to you?

  Hmmm,

  I agree. Where is the city to help people restore buildings or re-adapt their use? Having talked to a few small business owners this weekend each and everyone one of them stated they received absolutely no help in setting up their business in Windsor and it took a lot of phone calls to figure out who to talk to get to things moving.
  Maybe the city should use all of those middle manager's they have and push to have a new business department. The city wouldn't have to hire new employees (saves money) and they could actually put some of those managers to work considering some departments have 2 managers for 8 workers!

  What I think pushes these land owners to do these things are the disgustingly high tax rates in this city; Especially for small business! If they can't lease or rent the buliding it is cheaper for them to bulldoze it as the land taxes become drastically reduced once a building is gone. For example: Joker's nite club at Elliot and Ouellette.
  Personally I find it insulting to the residents of the area and to all Windsorites that land owners demo these buildings for surface lots because of taxes. What does it do to our communities? What does it do FOR our communities? Lowers the taxes the city gets and removes density and heritage...thanks for nothing from these so called business people and to city hall that continues to turn a blind eye to it's past and potential future.

• Hope you won't be offended but i tweaked your pdf slightly ;) The typographer in me insisted and I was up early anyway so it gave me something to do. If there are any typos let me know i'll fix them or send you the indesign document Link is here

  It's also slightly smaller :) I love the site even though i live no where close (live in california) i support your cause, feel your pain, and wish you the best of luck

• Thanks Alden!

• A little birdie told me (during our flyer posting walk this weekend) that they had, in fact, attempted to lease out the old bank building from the current owners, but so many roadblocks were thrown in their way (they are established business owners in this city and know what excessive roadblocks are) that it was obvious they weren't interested in leasing it at all. Probably had ulterior motives in mind...

• This building has great '3rd place' potential !! library/coffeeinternet or sumthin!!! Addtional building addition space up to the alley...
  Also, why doesn't the southwest corner have a high profile building as well..! T here's just market parking there. If this 'Gateway' to Ottawa street was truly a gateway there would be high profile buildings on every corner and some sort of public space too. rather than the oversized turning radius on the way out of ottawa st...

• I use to run around inside this bank as a kid. All I remember though, was the vault with a stack of $1k bills and a neat old coke machine in the basement. Oh and my bro hit the silent alarm once.