Landmarks, Not Landfill!!!
The dust hasn’t even settled at the site of the underhanded demolition of the historic Seagrave firetruck factory building, when news comes down the pipe about yet another historic building facing the wrecking ball in Olde Walkerville.
It seems that one of the property owners, Mr. Spiro Govas, of 1295 Walker Road (the former Bank of Montreal building at the N/W corner of Walker and Ottawa, built in 1919) has decided to pursue a demolition permit in order to expand the surface parking for their strip malls. The same owners currently have most of the strip malls at that intersection (Gilligan’s plaza, the medical strip mall north of the BoM building, etc,) and feel that they need more parking to service their tenants. Well, anyone who has been by these developments will tell you that they sit half-empty most of the time and the excuse that they need more parking rings hollow.
Maybe the real reason is that owners of underutilized heritage properties pay significantly less property taxes if they converted these real estate holdings to vacant lots? We need to find out exactly why owners are felling these pieces of our history and rectify it. City Hall needs to step forward and offer incentives to these property owners so they will not take the easy way out bof demolision to save a couple of bucks. This is happening all to frequently in this city.
At least we have a little time to work to save this building, unlike Seagrave and the old Walker farm house building, which fell without prior notice. At last weeks Windsor Heritage Committee (WHC) meeting, they moved to designate the property, thereby putting the fate of it in the hands of our city councillors. They didn’t have to do this, and the BoM building, seeing as how it wasn’t on the inventory list of proposed heritage properties could have come down without a peep. Maybe all the press coverage that local community/heritage activists raised during the Seagrave buildings demise have made administration a little gun-shy? Who knows, but right now they seem to have bought us some valuable time. Time that this grand old gateway into the Walkerville community needs for the residents to prove that we need and value the very things that make our neighbourhood one that visitors go home a rave about!
So, Andrew from International Metropolis and I spent part of the weekend preparing some flyers (please download it and pass it along to your friends) and spreading the news around to the throngs of people visiting Olde Walkerville for our neighbourhoods annual beauty pageant, Art In The Park. People got very angry at the notion that there is an attack on the very things that make Olde Walkerville great - its historic architecture. And when told that the plan is to turn this building into yet another surface parking lot, there was a unified opposition. It seems that there’s a reason people visit and live in this ‘hood, and it has a lot to do with the fact we’re not a cookie-cutter subdivision. So, let’s keep it that way.
We have two weeks to let our elected councilors know that this attack, and future ones like it, will not be tolerated. We need EVERYONE to contact our councilors (especially Jones and Brister, who sit on the WHC) and spread the word to those you know to do the same. These assaults will continue unless these people, who will be coming to you asking for your vote again very soon, know that this is not the road you want your city to go down.
This time, instead of holding a candle-light vigil mourning the loss of another piece of the fabric of Windsors architectural heritage, let’s hold a celebration of a community that is rallying around its past with an eye towards its future!
UPDATE (06/13/08) Here’s the council communications on the application for demolition.
Tags: Architecture, City Council, place making, planning department, walkerville
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Bravo guys and gals! Keep up the good work. Let it be known that we are fighting a similar fight in Charlottetown to try and preserve much of the old downtown core. A slightly different spin though — the downtown is very vibrant, and thus, bringing in some heavy investment. Trying to keep the tone and tenor of downtown is a little bit of a challenge when new investment is waving millions of dollars around.
Keep us former-Windsorites posted!
“Another one bites the dust
Another one bites the dust
And another one gone, and another one gone
Another one bites the dust
Hey, Im gonna get you too
Another one bites the dust”
Has this anthem by Queen become the official anthem for this city! In all appearances it seems that way!
Let’s do the corporate visioning thing, imagine that the bank is already gone, what are we left with?
Chris is right in saying that this bank has anchored the corner for almost 90 years or four generations that Windsorites have seen it as the designation or boundary to Walkerville and Ottawa street, coming from the east or the south.
So it is gone now and now I am imagining what the area will look like, a gaping expanse of tarmac, a grater of devastation in an urban landscape, barren, devoid of nature or life, much like all major corners in this city and the festival plaza and Charles Clark Square. For what? More parking!
Environmentally these vast expanses of tarmac, concrete and asphalt contribute to city warming by acting as heat sumps, collecting and storing heat during the day and releasing it at night to heat the city, which demands even more air conditioning! Almost every commercial parking lot in this city are empty on Sundays, most evenings and through the night.
it is absolutely insane in this day and age (although this city, council and developers are still stuck in the 1960’s) that more free parking is going to entice customers to shop? Give me a break!
“What are the roots that clutch, what branches grow
Out of this stony rubbish? Son of man,
You cannot say, or guess, for you know only
A heap of broken images, where the sun beats,
And the dead tree gives no shelter, the cricket no relief,
And the dry stone no sound of water. Only
There is shadow under this red rock,
(Come in under the shadow of this red rock),
And I will show you something different from either
Your shadow at morning striding behind you
Or your shadow at evening rising to meet you;
I will show you fear in a handful of dust.”
From T.S. Eliot’s; The Wasteland
Good luck on the rally!
PS: Free parking, is the fertility drug for cars and to add, a car is a parasite that feeds on its host!
I called all of the councillors so I hope they get the message. This insanity has to stop!
Another generation and the “historic” town of Walkerville will be harder to find than the lost city of Atlantis.
Here’s the letter I just sent to all ten councilors. Feel free to steal parts of it if you feel it’s worthy…
I am writing to you today to express my extreme concern about the news that another Walkerville landmark is being threatened with an application for demolition.
I understand that the Windsor Heritage Committee has recommended that the former Bank of Montreal building (circa 1919, corner of Walker and Ottawa) be designated and preserved, and I whole-heartedly agree. With the recent loss of the Seagrave building in the 600 block of Walker road, it is starting to seem as though Walkerville (one of the most historic and picturesque neighbourhoods in Windsor) is coming under fire.
Global evidence proves that these walkable, pedestrian-scaled communities offer Windsor our greatest hope for social and economic revitalization. To continue to pander to developers wishes to demolish them is doing this city a disservice.
I also urge you to investigate why it is that these landowners are choosing demolition in lieu of preservation. The rate at which they are doing so is frightening. Are there tax loopholes that they enjoy when they eliminate these structures from their properties that you could eliminate? Is there undue bureaucratic hurdles these owners need to navigate in order to preserve them, that you could rectify? Would replacing the long-vacant Heritage Planner position within the planning department allow you to recognise the local properties that are worthy of designation before the owners apply for demolition?
These are questions that need to be answered as quickly as possible. The City of Windsor needs to take a proactive stance in regards to preserving our architectural heritage and pedestrian-scaled urbanity, for they are surely one of the few bright lights we still have in our future.
Respectfully yours,
Chris Holt
I can’t stress just how important it is that each and every one of them hear from us about this issue. Right now, they feel that everyone wants sprawl and strip malls (because that’s where they vote with their dollars), and we must convince them otherwise.
I’m seeing the same historical misinfo on I.M. regarding Walkerville’s boundaries. This link http://209.202.75.197/digi/icity/ contains historical maps showing the actual boundaries of Walkerville which actually extended to Tecumseh road (and beyond in some areas). Ottawa street is not the “southern boundary” contrary to popular belief. As a ’southerner’ myself, I’m still a proud Walkervillian.
If you are all interested in voicing your concerns, we have also setup an email campaign. Simply add your name and email, press the button and a pre-written email is sent to council and the media showing your support to save our heritage.
JCS - The southern boundary of Old Walkerville.
The end by Techumseh Rd really didn’t get built up until the mid 1920s.
Yes I realize that. I was referring to the boundary, not the advent of rapid development of the southern section in the 1920s.
OK … sorry, to have be the hater here … sincerely, someone help me understand … I thought the Seagrave building was cool and I thought it would have had potential for cool commercial/office space or even the ever idolized ‘lofts’ … but I drove by the BofM building today and … well … call me ignorant … but it’s architecture DID NOT blow me away … however,
do I think it should be turned into more strip mall with parking lot … hell no!!!
I guess what I’m saying is I don’t think the building needs to be saved but my main objection is that it should not be turned into the same piece of crap strip mall next door to it!!!
One last thought though … is this building the fight?? That entire area of Walker is strip mall / parking / subarban office park model … I understand fighting for the principle but what the hell is it that’s trying to be saved????
Chilly Willy, I have to agree that the rest of Walker road ain’t much to look at for the most part, but that’s also why it’s that much more important to save this particular building. I’m not sure why you don’t agree on the architectural merits, but to each his own. Perhaps it is the ugly modern backlit signage? That needs to go…
I shudder every time I look at those ugly blue backlit signs on the BofM building. Any attempt to “modernize” these old buildings backfires in a really bad way.
I guess to Chilly, aesthetics are a personal thing and while the architecture may not be your cup of tea, it is representative of a period in our history, it is structurally sound and the quality of construction is above anything that is being erected these days
Hiram Walker master planned this whole area using Ebenzer Howards Garden City Model. If we cannot preserve some of the last morsels of walkable urbanism that are left in this city, while holding the belief that this type of urban development is needed if Windsor is to prosper in the coming years of expensive energy, then what are the chances that we will be able to convince the planning department and area developers to build more from scratch?
The emails are flowing into our councilors “in” boxes! Here’s another one that was graciously cc’d to me as well. Keep up the pressure, folks, and our childrens children will be able to visit this building as they walk around Walkerville doing their shopping…
Vintage buildings like the former BMO lend character and diversity to the architectural landscape of our city, just as a piece of antique furniture that has been passed down through the generations within one’s family does in your living room. Would you put your grandmother’s heirloom writing desk to the curb? Well, that is what we are doing with our heritage properties - one by one. Given the current trend, Hiram Walker’s namesake road will soon be devoid of any virgin heritage properties dating prior to Windsor’s annexation of Walkerville. Walker Farms House…gone. Seagrave factory….gone. All we need to do now is have a B-52 carpet bomb Walker road to finish the job. But seriously, where does it stop?? Walkerville’s legacy is its heritage. If we allow the erosion of our built heritage to go unchecked, there will be no Walkerville anymore, just a bunch of ugly steel and glass strip malls
and stucco’d buildings.
The owner’s contention that he needs a parking lot is baloney. As a resident of the area, I can assure you the parking lot to the north belonging to the strip mall is usually mostly empty. The former BMO’s
lot was always enough to service its clients even when it was active. The businesses on the east side of Walker road - including Govas’ - have more than ample parking day or night. What’s more, walkable destinations with serviceable neighbourhood buildings like this - not parking lots - are going to become more relevant as the peak oil crisis continues to dig its teeth into Windsor. There is obviously an ulterior motive for wanting this heritage building demo’d. And I believe city council needs to hear a good, rational reason for a demo before issuing a permit, correct?
Please, when this request comes up for debate at council, take these thoughts into consideration. Our children will either thank us for saving Windsor’s heritage for them when they grow up, or curse us for allowing it to be systematically dismantled and destroyed . Take your pick.
John
Thanks for all your work and stirring things up. The citizens and council of this city need to act! How does Windsor expect to attract anyone here (retirees, doctors, students, etc.) when we destroy our history and anything attractive or natural?
Do people say, “I’m going to visit Windsor on the long weekend because it’s so nice and friendly and clean!” No, they go shopping in Ann Arbor or visit places like Niagara-on-the-Lake.
If you were at Art in the Park and saw the Willistead exhibit you might have been as horrified as me to look at an old photo and discover that Wyandotte was a tree lined street with loads of pedestrians, street cars and awnings on every building. The picture was lovely but the current photo is sad.
I wish that our city would take an active role in many things; “active” being the key term. I don’t want to be a naysayer but our council seems to meet endlessly on things without moving forward.
I am originally from Wales and there was an active movement to transform the rough Cardiff Docks into Cardiff Bay. It started in 1987 and now the Bay is home to theatres and condos and businesses and appears in TV shows like Dr. Who and Torchwood. Nothing will happen overnight, but this is a good example of how investment can transform something that seems hopeless (http://www.urban75.org/photos/wales/cardiff-bay-docks.html).
There’s a drive-in movie at the Market on Friday night. Might be a good time to reach/educate more people.
Drive in Movie at the Market? I’ve not yet heard this. Can you fill us in on the details, Victoria?
Sorry I missed your reply! While shopping at the market I was given a flyer to say that there would be a drive-in movie in the market parking lot (complete with concession stand) on Friday night. There was no mention of the movie. I’ve seen ads for someone around here with a large portable screen and how you can use it for fundraising…don’t know how you get around the movie licensing though. I forgot to ride by and see if it was a success.
From today’s Windsor Star…
A Walkerville bank built in 1919 is slated for demolition. It’s only hope is if city council decides Monday to save it, even though it’s not on the city’s heritage list.
A demolition permit has been requested by Spiro Govas, the owner of the former Bank of Montreal on the corner of Walker Road and Ottawa Street. He wants it demolished to provide more visibility for the shopping plaza he owns behind the bank, and to provide more parking
read the rest here
“to provide more visibility for the shopping plaza he owns behind the bank, and to provide more parking”
Tear down the beautiful building so we can see his ugly building better?!
Yes - that is the line that really rubbed me the wrong way. He isn’t even trying to hide the fact that this 90 year old building is just an obstruction to seeing his crap better.
Whats up with Pat Malicki’s comments…’it will be difficult to save..’ and ‘ I don’t think this one is winnable.’ …Geesh!!!! –not a real friend of heritage it seems is she?? How ’bout we all just throw our arms up in the air!!!!
The city leaves a huge gap in the heritage planner position and then says…’oh well– its not on the list.!!!!’
Has the city come to its senses yet about libraries!??? Does Olde Walkerville currently have a library branch? Maybe this could be it !!!!
That wouldn’t work in this city, Sporto - it makes too much sense!
This just in…
I don’t know how the applicant (Govas) could be held in violation of a contractual agreement with a third party if, as the Windsor Star stated today, he just wants everyone to be able to see his strip mall and provide additional parking. Are we missing something here? Are there other plans for this site that are staying hush-hush for now?
What I get from this email is that Govas came right out swinging by threatening legal action to bully councilors into approving his application for demolition.
I’m going to go out on a limb and guess that Mr. Govas is of Greek heritage. Perhaps we should pool our money and buy the Parthanon and have it redeveloped as a shopping centre.
http://www.kunstler.com/eyesore_200804.html
I have often wondered why no enterprising people have not built a small boutique hotel in Old Walkerville or why the city tourism people have never marketed Walkerville as a real destination. Rebuild the train station, convert the Post Office to a museum. Henry Ford built Greenfield Village, Hiram Walker and his family built us a whole town.
How can Mr. Govas go and make third party agreeements based on a mere application’ ??
Just because he fills out the application, a demolition is automatically granted? —cart before the horse, no?
Maybe he should’ve waited for the approval of the demolition prior to making contracts…
Why should council be wary of any litigation? They didn’t care when The Junction has a great idea to turn a vacant building into a nice business for kids. They didn’t care when they threatened Tecumseh with a lawsuit over Greenlink. They didn’t care when they threatened a lawsuit against DRIC. They didn’t care when they spent over $1.2 million on a shady tunnel deal that gives nothign to Windsor.
I would have thought Eddie would welcome these lawsuits as it gives him experience for his real profession once he is done playing mayor and entrepreneur on our dime.
Truly, this city really makes me sick…
Check this out and why does Windsor continue to ignore what other cities do when it is a good cause and do the exact same thing when it benefits no one (strip malls an big box developments)?
http://www.househunting.ca/renovating/story.html?id=67534607-d159-4ffa-b812-6f7785afc456
Why doesn’t this happen more often here?
Like many others, I have emailed many of the councillors to express my extreme concern about this pending demolition.
I strongly suspect the poor economy is at least part of the reason why the building isn’t currently let, and most likely totally unsellable too… so the owner figures that turning it into a parking lot a) lowers his business tax load and b) increases potential revenue from the strip mall tenants.
That doesn’t mean the demolition is a good idea for the area. I am sickened by the thought of yet another historic building being knocked down. It may not be the most beautiful of buildings, but without the ugly signage it has a certain grace and it fits well in Walkerville.
What is also sickening is the logic of threatening to sue the city if they don’t cave in to his demands. It seems rather coercive to enter into contractual obligations and threaten to sue the city if the demolition permit isn’t granted. Maybe the owner shouldn’t have entered into his contractual obligations before getting a demolition permit? Why should it be Walkerville’s problem if he bought a historic building he can’t rent or sell in an economic downturn?
If the strip mall behind the bank was a world class architectural wonder, I would say yes to demolishing the bank OR incoporating it into the design but looking at that strip mall, maybe it should be demolished as a blight on the neighbourhood or have the owner put a facade in keeping with the area. Strip malls are designed for the obese lazy car driver.
Free parking, is the fertility drug for cars:
Definitiion of a sympiotic relationship: a car is a parasite that feeds on its host!
Could be worse than a parking lot. I was happy to see the former construction company junk yard turned into the present strip mall.
At least the present owner paints over the graffiti once in a while
The 1200 block of Monmouth has seen some improvement in recent years. But it will probably always be a bit of a slum, due to the run-down rental properties on the street.
I won’t miss the bank building at all. Heck , if Mr. Govas would like to make me a fair offer on my townhouse, he can knock that down too.
Mike Legue,
Why won’t you miss it all? You would rather an extension of the vacant strip mall instead? If an area was to have two vacant buildings one that is esthetically pleasing to the eye another that looks atypical of the suburbs which would you choose?
Sure , it would be nice to see the old bank restored to pristine condition.
For that to happen, the owner needs to see a profit potential.
My guess is that the owner had his contractors look it over and didn’t see the restoration costs paying off as a viable lease. So now we have an owner that is upset that the city may not let him knock the building down. He may just let the building sit and decay over a period of years. It may become the target of vandals, ie graffiti, broken windows. I see that as the worst possible outcome. It would be more urban decay in the hood.
That is why I will not miss the bank building.
Gateway Galleria Idea……
Has anyone have developer contacts to possibly raze the strip mall, retrofit the Bank of Montreal building, and use the facade from the Norwich block
to create an urban friendly outdoor pedestrian mall which are the new
type of retail shopping experiences people are choosing over the
typical suburban mall????