The former General Amherst High School and the plans to redevelop the site was the focus of a public open house last week.
Crowds came to the Libro Centre’s downstairs community room last Thursday evening with the proposal being discussed with neighbours and others who are interested.
The Town of Amherstburg is looking at possibly moving town hall into the site, though that is still the subject of negotiations at this point, with other tenants possibly including a gym, restaurant and/or other retail.
Residential units, in eight and 11-storey towers, would also be included totalling 144 in all.
The eight-storey Sandwich Street Tower would have 79 residential units with the Park Side Tower having 11 storeys and 65 residential units.
There could also be two stories within the Sandwich Street Tower, namely floors two and three, developed as a hotel.
Kent Wigle said his concerns were mainly due to the park next door. He said the baseball diamonds that were at H. Murray Smith Centennial Park are gone and he doesn’t want to see the baseball diamond at Bill Wigle Park removed either.
If people want a pleasant stroll, he indicated there is 1,100 feet of King’s Navy Yard Park they can use.
“I don’t care what you do to the high school but leave the ball diamond alone,” said Wigle. “The ball diamond is used all the time. It would be nice to look out of one of the apartments and see a baseball game.”
Bob Rozankovic said he favoured the proposed development overall, but didn’t want to see Amherstburg town hall as a part of it.
“I love the development,” he said. “I just don’t want to see town hall there.”
Rozankovic questioned having town hall mixed in with the other uses and wondered what would happen in 20 years should there no longer be a lease arrangement.
“Why would you want to have town hall in a private building?” he asked.
Rodger Hudson agreed that would not be a good place for a town hall. Hudson also noted there are heritage aspects to the building that administration had been previously been tasked with studying. The murals along the Laird Ave. side of the building were also an issue that needed further investigation.
Catherine Cristofaro, who owns the Rivertown Dance Academy (RDA), said she is in favour of having the civic theatre stay within the proposed development.
“I just feel our town needs a theatre,” she said. “We have been part of the community for 20 years. All of our performances have been scheduled in LaSalle, Windsor or Lakeshore.”
Cristofaro believes dancers, musicians, actors and other artists could perform in a theatre in town. It would keep money in town and keep people in the community to showcase their skills.
Phil Kasurak lives in the area and said while he likes to see residential development in Amherstburg. He believes the height of the buildings are too tall for the area.
Kasurak questioned how residential towers that tall would be compatible with nearby Fort Malden National Historic Site of Canada and other historical structures in the area.
“It’s too tall,” he believed.
Kasurak also had questions on traffic and how that would be addressed.
“What traffic calming steps do they envision?” he asked.
The former high school, located at 130 Sandwich St. S., is owned by Valente Developments. President Peter Valente said he was hearing mainly good things during the open house.
“I’m hearing a lot of positive comments,” he said. “I think everyone likes the building respects the history of Amherstburg and seeing the town change. We see LaSalle grow being close to Windsor and now we’re seeing Amherstburg grow. I hope to be part of positive change.”
Valente said he and his wife hope to reside in the condo portion of the development.
“We’re very passionate about doing a good job,” he said.
As for the height of the buildings, Valente said he studies market conditions and his architects look at massing, shadowing and parking provisions and they believe it will work at that location.
Valente said they hope to have the project approve in May. He added “we are not prepared to talk about that right now.”
If approved, Valente estimated it would be a two-year build. He said they are talking to potential businesses about occupying the space, but no one has been signed as of yet.
“Until the project is approved, we’re not inking anyone as of yet,” he said.
Valente said people can go to www.valentehomes.com for ongoing information on the proposed project.
“It’s such a beautiful location with Laird Ave. and Sandwich St. S.,” he said. “It’s right in the middle of town. It’s basically centre ice.”
Public open house held on GAHS site
By Ron Giofu
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