I know that I must seem like a broken record, but the former Bank of Montreal at Walker and Ottawa is next up for a date with the wrecking ball.
This beautiful old building was purchased by the owners of the plaza behind the bank.
No plans to reuse the building, but it sure would make a nifty parking lot!
The heritage committee at their last meeting made a motion to designate the property, this has at least frozen the demolition permit pending an upcoming council meeting.
This is far from over however. Make sure you e-mail or call your councilors and let them know that you support the preservation of Walkerville’s and Windsor’s architectural landmarks, and that this corner is too important to become a parking lot.
This building, given its location truly acts as a gateway into old Walkerville, either along Walker or along Ottawa. Any other city in Canada would love to have a building like this, and would have the vision to reuse it.
In Windsor, it’s the same story, greedy, short sighted property owners with visions of blacktop. Walker Road has lost enough of its heritage properties over the last few years, and enough is enough.
The citizens of Windsor have to help out, and stand up and let their elected officials know that we need to preserve what’s left.
If this historic building located in one of Windsor’s most historic districts (with apologies to Sandwich) can’t survive this attempt at demolition, then little hope remains for what’s left.
Article from the Border Cities Star, March, 1920.
Click the Image above to download a .pdf copy of the flyer
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Scaledown.ca has launched a facebook page as well, if you’re hooked up on facebook join them to keep updated about the battle to save the bank:
“Save Walkerville’s Architectural Heritage”.
“Spread the word! We’ve got to stop this attack on our heritage and the things that make this city!”.
Event: Save Walkerville’s Architectural Heritage
“Walkerville is under attack yet again”
What: Rally
Host: …Scale Down, Windsor
When: Today, June 8 at 1:40pm
Where: Your telephone/computerTo see more details and RSVP, follow the link below:
http://www.facebook.com/n/?event.php&eid=29419808696
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.
Fausto,
I am not sure what you mean? Just because there isn’t a building on every corner or a grand announcement at that intersection doesn’t mean it still isn’t the gateway for coming into Walkerville from the south. Regardless, that intersection is horrendous not only for accidents but as an eye-sore as well. Another demo wont’ help it at all!
It’s always the same old story. A few well-connected property developers are able to vision of utopia on everybody else because the idiots at city hall care more about catering to the few than doing what is in the best interests of the majority. Let’s hope the voters remember how little this administration has done for them when they go to the polls next November.
One building at a time , little bye little it will all add up and there will be NOTHING left in this town that is unique and interesting. Most of these buildings that our grandparents/great grandparents shopped at are slowly being wiped off the face of this city. it is makes me sick. How the hell do some of you people out there call this an eyesore ??? to me an eyesore is some shitty ass 1980’s or 90’s stucko or aluminum sided building, not a beautiful classy 1920’s brick structure with Roman/Greek stone work!!! keep up the good work Windsor
ME, just merely calling attention to how much more this gateway can be. I don’t think that this b.o.m. building is enough on its own. Yes it should be preserved. But I also think that the other corners should be treated similarly.
Is there a law that says you cant build up to the sidewalks edge there at walker and ottawa? Paking lots should not be acceptable for a gateway to a walkable community.
Perhaps there is a photographic record of what used to be on the south side of Ottawa St., opposite the B.o.m building that would give a clearer picture of what this corner used to look like. Or was always it always a parking lot?
OK, ME, since you’ve got the VIP treatment from Valentinis, why don’t you give him a call about this building and report back to us on what his position is on this demolition, and if he’s going to try to stop it or not.
Not to be picky, but if we are going to approach this from a historical p.o.v. it needs to be clarified that Ottawa @ Walker is not the gateway to Walkerville from the south. Tecumseh road is. As a matter of fact the original “Welcome to Walkerville” billboard prior to annexation was even further south of Tecumseh road by the current Chrysler property. Fausto did call it the Gateway to Ottawa street, which on the other hand is a fair statement, of course.
John, that may be so, but that corner is the gateway into Old Walkerville.
When this bank went up in 1920 the main part of Walkerville was still located from Ottawa St. north….
I have no quarrel with it being the main/central part of Walkerville, or its place in so-called “old” walkerville, only with the definition of the south boundary of Walkerville.
Fausto raised a good question…is there any photographs of this intersection before the sprawl builders got their paving machines to ‘er? It would be a nice reference point to go from.
Fausto raised a good question…is there any photographs of this intersection before the sprawl builders got their paving machines to ‘er? It would be a nice reference point to go from.
How far back are we going? I remember when it was just a pharmaceudicals (sp?) place and it was a very dull looking property then. Going back fifty+ years might present a better picture though? I’ve never seen any photos yet, which is strange because one streetcar line did go east on Ottawa from Monmouth then south onto Walker road. After all those pictures you’d think there’d be just one of that intersection.
Well spoken George…I’d have to agree!! I have printed off a copy of the flyer to post at work, and I’m taking it home to email every one of the councillors….Wonder if I will get any reply??
Also, to whomever created the flyer, great idea, nicely laid out, however I did notice a spelling error right under the 1767 Walker road property. Should read Nov 2006, instead it reads “MOV 2006” not sure if anyone noticed that…but perhaps it could be corrected!!
I truly hope this one doesn’t fall to the wrecking ball!!
I should blame Andrew for that, Ross, as he designed that flyer. However, I was told that my only job was to proof read it before we printed it off. So I guess it’s my fault!
Keep the heat on. By the way Gignac’s e-mail address didn’t work. Not a surprise. I have e-mailed everyone else. I think Gord Henderson would be supportive Andrew. He was with the Seagrave building. Did soembody e-mail him?
well……this is no surprise. couldn’t these even be apartments? SOMETHING?!?!?!?!
IF/WHEN they demolish this structurally sound building, it would be nice if someone took the facade around the main door and do something with it. even if it means being under a tarp for the next century.
Speaking of banks….since we are on this topic…what ever happened to the old bank that was dis-mantled which used to be on the Norwich Block>? Wasn’t it taken down “pain stakenly…LOL…,” and placed in storage somewhere? Does anyone know?
that’s funny, i was just asking that on the 1963 page lol.
John S, apparently there is one picture of the ottawa/walker intersection, a friend told me just yesterday its hanging in the heather bell restaurant!!!!!!
Perhaps, theres a way for it to be reproduced here at IM so we can see it?? It seems that this corner was at one time built up on all corners…