for the project. The core project team also included Joseph Dattilo (as the City Project Administrator), William D. Tape, P.E., P.Eng. of Haddad Morgan and Associates Ltd, (for structural and Civil engineering work), Stantec Consulting (Electrical and Mechanical work) and Intrepid General Limited (General Contractor). Initial funding of $2.2 million was increased by Windsor City Council to $5.5 million in 2017 as a stated commitment to local heritage properties. After extensive planning, ground-breaking took place in January 2018. Restoration work included extensive structural repairs, a new wing connecting the fire hall to the old stables at the rear of the lot, and complete replacement of mechanical, electrical, and plumbing systems. A number of heritage design elements from the original structures were retained and enhanced, including the retention of original structural beams that showed the 1941 fire damage, and re-use of the hose-drying tower as a new observation room. The brickwork repointing used sand sourced on site as well as the same "pebbled mortar" technique used in the initial build. All wood windows were recreated to the exact details of the original by training local fabricators. Historic lime and hog hair stucco cladding was used on the exterior. The stable restoration involved 19th century shiplap wood construction with historic limewash, and the reuse of the stable roof. The new connecting building linking the Fire Hall & Stable features an elevated walkway using flooring reclaimed from the stable, and the exterior composes of coated copper, steel, and glass walls. Overall, the work completed at the Sandwich Fire Hall demonstrates a high level of craftsmanship while following the Standards and Guidelines for the Conservation of Historic Places in Canada. The project has also allowed for heritage conservation skills and knowledge to be learned and passed on to local trades, which could be employed for future heritage restoration projects in the City.

Construction completed in summer 2019 and the buildings have become the John Muir Branch, in honour of Mr John Muir, who had been a leader in advocating for a library in the Sandwich area and who was an inspirational figure in the revitalization of Sandwich. Windsor Public Library has created programming work that has continued in celebration of the building and its history. Author readings, book launches, musical concerts are organized in the community rooms on the second floor in the old hay loft in the stables and in the fire hall. WPL staff continue to educate the public by providing tours of the careful heritage conservation work that took place, and by pointing to the historic features in the building which has allowed the history and stories of Sandwich Town to be kept alive. Tours of the hose-drying tower, which has been re-imagined as a glasscapped observation tower, gives over 200 weekly visitors a unique view of Windsor's west end, and has proven particularly popular with the local school children. Lit up at night, this tower speaks to the spirit of this historic area and the public library's role as the community's living room. Windsor Public Library and the Project Team should be awarded for their outstanding work.