These photos were sent along by a regular reader of the site. He was there when they started the demolition of the bank on that Sunday Morning, and his photos catch the destruction of the architectural elements that City Councilor Dave Brister specifically requested be saved if possible.
I would think it would have been possible, if the operator hadn’t smashed it to pieces.
That just goes to show that asking nicely doesn’t get you anywhere. Contractors don’t care, and just want to get the job done as quickly as possible. Without forcing the preservation of these types of things, nothing will get done. I don’t know if anyone’s been past that corner lately, but the corner looks naked, and IMO no longer has any of the charm it once did. The strip malls make it look like any other commercial intersection in the city.
i did drive by it yesterday. how sad. it just looks so barren.
This city is ginig to look more and more barren because our tax structure allows for land owners (read “developers”) to destroy buildings on a property in order to reduce the amount of property taxes on that particular parcel of land.
If the city won’t tackle the difficult situations and the poor tax policy the rest of the city will continue down this destructive path. But we wouldn’t be in this mess if we actually had an environment that was conducive to business. Not just regular business but a sttrategy that would go striaght to small businesses to get them up and running.
Windsor has yet to do that.
I forgot to add. Since Windsor/Essex has been talking about a bag limit for garbage. I wonder how much of this material went to a recycling plant? I am sure the pediment could have been saved and re-used. The interior elements such as doors (which I see on the photo has one exactly the same as my house to which I need a few more doors replaced), trim, fixtures…But like always Windsor will put this on the backs of the dwindling number of home owners.
Me – Other municpalites have a by law in place where if you demolish a property and leave it empty you will continue to pay the same tax rate as if the building was still standing. If that was the case here, I guarantee that the Seagrave Building would still be standing.
As for the garbage issue, in this day and age the amount of building materials that end up in the landfill is disgusting. No attempt was made (from what I could see) to salvage anything from the structure. As I watched the demolition take place I noticed doors, light ixtures, etc, that were left in place to get crushed up and sent to the dump.
Why not allow Habitat for humanity in to salvage useable materials first? It’s just careless, irresponsible attitudes on the part of the property owners. Their actions prove that they care more about the bottom dollar then being a responsible citizen.
What was upstairs in that building? Looks like some crazy walllpaper.
Chet, it would have been the Bank Manager’s apartment when first constructed as that was a usual perk back in those days. Not sure if it was in use during the BofM’s operating days.
Andrew, that seems to me to be quite logical but when it comes to this city, logic is usually the first victim of any plan of operation.
ouch…….i would have almost been better off not seeing that dinosaur chewing up this building. i think picture #2 speaks volumes about this city.
history??………not in my backyard !
It sure is hard to look at. Makes you wonder when people do this kind of stuff, if they ever think to themselves if there was another way.
Like the old saying goes: a city with no past, won’t have any future.
Sad to see. I got my first car loan at that bank when I first came to Windsor back in 83.
yeah, i was wondering if these operators feel really bad sometimes when they’re told to rip this stuff down. i sure as hell would.
What about the building at 131 Elliott St. West ? I sent you an e-mail Andrew about it. Is it going to be saved or razed, any idea ?? This place is in way to good of condition to be destroyed and I think it’s on the historical building list.
I know a lot of people are concerned about the former Nesbitt Inn building.
I’ll post an update about it tomorrow