Over the weekend, some more demolitions took place. This house above…
…along with this one next door were both torched in a fire in April 2009.
Two and a half years later, they came down over this past weekend.
Sadly this large Victorian Commercial building also bit the dust.
Also victim of a suspicious fire this one was empty for the last few years.
It too bit the dust.
It’s too bad, in this Streetview screen capture, the corner of University & Glengarry, each had old Victorian era commercial buildings on each side, and it gave a glimpse into Windsor’s past. Now empty lots are all around.
I suspect more demolitions will follow in the casino area.
in the casino area: does this mean that the casino is expanding or razing derelict properties to further extend their parking lots?
I would suggest no expansion at all. But I wonder what the city has in store for the area? Another mega project perhaps?
And just down from the Glengarry Convenience store building, heading to the right in your street view, there was a derelict-but-once-lovely red brick residential walk-up that came down a few years ago, and behind all that, the old retirement home. I don’t even remember much about that building other than that it had gorgeous terrazzo floors, fragments of which you can still pick up while walking across the now empty block.
I don’t think the city has any plan for this area at all, other than wishing it would all just go away.
I do think the city wants the old comm. buildings to go away, not sure if anyone has the resources to restore them, and to what purpose? They are quite small for a lot of retail purposes. These stores were likely serving the local residents when transportation was not plentiful. Any idea what these have been used for over the years?
As for the burned out houses, I would not want to live across the street from them, especially if they can’t be fixed (to heavily damaged). Also if they are near the casino the city doesn’t want a bombed-out look for the tourists.
According to the 1919-1920 City Directory, the commercial building at the se corner of Glengarry and University was a neighbourhood grocer, Alex Napier. The building on the adjacent corner was occupied by a butcher, Wm C Cowley.
I am sad to see Windsor demolishing and tearing down buildings leaving empty lots; reminds me of my drives out Woodward Ave in 1970’s Detroit!
The problem with all the demolition going on in Windsor is that nothing of value is being created and anything of value is being destroyed. Instead of badly needed development we’re getting vacant lots that produce nothing in the way of jobs, taxes or new development. How smart is this? Even worse is the way so many residents’ could care less what happens to the city. If the people who live here couldn’t care less what happens what message does that send to people who don’t live here?
thank god those buildings sat run down and delapitated..TEAR THAT SCHITT DOWN !!!!! visitors to a half a billion dollar casino have to look at those houses as they leave the city
or…….they could have rehabed those Victorian buildings to show what the neighbourhood used to look like
I agree with Bull. Everyone on here talks about rehabilitating these old buildings. Well here’s an idea get off this blog and DO IT! Stop complaining about it! Nothing lasts forever and at least we have pictures to remind us of the past.
RIGHT ON CHUCK!
The city’s plan for this area is a Waterfront Urban Village http://www.citywindsor.ca/001985.asp
Well I remember the whole area very well as I was born and raised on Alymer. And honestly it is a shame to see all them home’s now gone that were once there and did house families. Now what is all up Alymer nothing but empty lot’s and here now the City want’s to build their new swimming crap well you have all these lot’s open right by casino which to me is a waste of time.
But you have all these lots available so why not use them instead of destroying library and such.
People , people dont worry uncie Duncie (Dwight Duncan) has it all under control – trust me. We need more Parking lots @ $3-5 per hour to support our Canada Day ( sometime late June ) festivities Admission $10 per PLUS food , entertainment, police protection , etc HST extra.