MONTELLO LAW
PROFESSIONAL CORPORATION
2510 Ouellette Ave., Suite 102 Phone: (519) 966-9668
Windsor, Ontario Fax: (519) 966-0651
N8X 1L4 email: kmontelloaDmontellolaw.ca
January 4, 2020
Development & Heritage Standing CommitteeCorporation of the City of Windsor
350 City Hall Square West, Room 530
Windsor, Ontario N9A 68]
Dear Sirs and Mesdames:
The Walker Power Building
I am the solicitor for The Walker Power Building Inc.
I am writing in response to Council Report: 8178/2019 being a request for heritage designation of Walker Power Building, 325 Devonshire Road.
The Revitalization of The Walker Power Building
The Walker Power Building Inc. (“Walker Power”) was incorporated October 13, 2016 for the purpose of acquiring and revitalizing 325 Devonshire Road, Windsor (the “Propetty”). The principals of the corporation shared a vision to breathe new life into this Property which had been largely neglected for decades. In 2016, a reinvigoration of the Walkerville area was already under way and the plans of officers of the corporation, by all indications, were well-received by City of Windsor officials.
Walker Power purchased the Property on November 4, 2016. This alone was no simple task.
The Property had long been inhabited by a hoarder who claimed that he was the caretaker of the building and all of its contents. He refused to vacate the premises. After several extensions of time the transaction eventually closed. Tons of debris were removed from the site. Problems continued with the person that had previously occupied the building after the transaction closed for some period of time. Later, Walker Power defended a meritless lawsuit in respect of a claim that was ultimately withdrawn by the Plaintiff with prejudice and without costs.
As you know, the building was developed by the sons of Hiram Walker in the years between 1910 and 1913 and has had many uses over the past century. But for many, many years, the property was derelict; a blight on scenic Riverside Drive and a danger to anyone who dared enter.