Heritage Committee Stops Demolition

The Windsor Heritage Committee is attempting to stop the demolition of the former International Playing Card Co. building on Mercer St. A representative for the current owner of the building says they've been trying to sell the property for two years but no one is interested in the building. "I believe it's outlived it's life. The facade on the Mercer side yes has some old beauty to it but a lot of its faded, the canopy is partially falling down," saus Joe Montaleone. He says there is a conditional sale with a public institution on the condition the building can be torn down. "The demolition is a request by them. They don't want the existing building, they want the land," says Montaleone. The Heritage Committee voted to designate the building under the Ontario Heritage Act. There was some discussion that if the unknown public entity came forward to work with the city and preserve some of the heritage features of the building some members of the committee would be more likely to allow demolition. The decision will go to Windsor City Council for discussion.