Time’s up, and another hole in the streetscape and urban fabric is due for Ouellette Ave. 1567 Ouellette featured here, last May.
This past Thursday, the Windsor Heritage Committee, had a meeting to deal with the request of a demolition permit request for the property. The committee was tasked with deciding whether to either a. take no action and allow the 60 day waiting period to take course; b. recommend designation, or c. pass a motion of no objection to the demolition request, allowing the property owners to proceed in advance of the 60 days period.
The resolution of the Heritage Committee is then passed on to council, who then choose to accept the recommendation of the committee or they can make their own motion. Over the years the City Council has been mostly supportive of the actions of the committee, usually taking, and accepting the recommendations put forth by the committee.
A motion to designate the property was put forth, after much debate, a vote of 3-2 saw the motion fail. As a result the fate of the building is essentially sealed.
From the Windsor Star – November 7, 1964
A view of the James H. Sutton Funeral Home, which took the property and expanded it into to the form that’s mostly there today.
From the Windsor Daily Star – October 23, 1954
Ernest Wilby, second from left is referred to as the “dean of local architects and former professor of architectural design at the University of Michigan”, as seen in this picture from the 1954 OAA conference in Windsor. On an unrelated note the OAA conference returned to Windsor in 2010.
While promises were made to “continue to market the site”, I would be willing to put money on it, that nothing will ever be built on that site. The only future use for that land I can see is a parking lot.
So, welcome to Windsor, where historic buildings are demolished at an alarming rate. If you hear any strange sounds in Walkerville, coming from St. Mary’s Churchyard, that’s probably Ernest Wilby rolling in his grave.
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Instead of complaining on the internet about it, why don't us citizens do something about it?
There's power in numbers. Unfortunately Canadians in general are too lazy to ever do anything about it, which has led municipal, provincial, and federal governments to WALTZ ALLLLL over us.
If there was ever a time to do anything, the time is now. I'm sure many people who frequent this site are prominent members in the community, get something together, and I'll be the first to join.
I was thinking maybe it could be used for student housing now with the universtivy deal.
Shawn M is has been rtied but Windsorites are so apathetic I doubt most would come out again.
Aaron, I can't see that happening. Remember that students still need to get to the main campus and still want to be part of "campus" life. Therefore they will stick around the UofW on the west side.
Well it's official there's an article in todays star june 8 the wreckers ball will be swinging very shortly
tristan please don't use that word repurposed it's one of those catch words the mayor and council pick up and kill just like the word proponent they've pretty well wore that out too
Shawn thats a great idea and i'd be right their on the front line next to you ...but you and me both know once king eddie gets an idea in his head he pushes ahead with it regardless of what people say look at what he's done to the people who live in the ghost town near the bridge he wouldn't even let them have their 10 minutes at a council meeting to state their case
dave gap toothed whore ...thats funny!!!
I live on Ouellette. We have enough vacant lots. That building, however, does not deserve any designation other than those who may have attended funerals there. Don't TOUCH Anderson Funeral Home BTW.
Drove by today (July 21) and all that's left is a pile of rubble.
That sucks. Thanks for the update Jennifer. I live right around the corner and didn't even see it.