An open letter from the Belle Vue Conservancy
Amherstburg is home to Belle Vue, a National Historic Site, purchased by the Town in 2016 for $1.1million. BVC funds donated in 2018 replaced the roof, securing the house. Although the Town agreed to pursue government and other funding, there has been no recent application for the annual National Cost-Sharing Program for Heritage Places.
Following COVID-19, Amherstburg opened an Expression of Interest process for the restoration of Belle Vue. Assessment of three applicants was conducted by the Town; only one proposal is known. We declined an invitation to meet with Amico-Loop since we do not endorse this proposal. Suggestions it will cost $14 million to restore the manor do not reconcile with the $3.5 million Fed Dev application we helped submit in 2019 but newer financial details are protected.
However, given the renovation and dynamic repurposing of heritage buildings happening in Amherstburg, including Dalhousie Street renovations, the STRY Hotel, Bucket List Roastery and the exciting General Amherst High School presentation from Architectura and Valente it is difficult to understand why the only consideration for the Belle Vue was the Amico-Loop proposal.
Asked to suspend fundraising activity, we waited another year while nothing happened.
To keep Belle Vue in the minds of the public BVC Blue Bayou fundraiser is scheduled for October 10. To answer guest questions, no Belle Vue donation will be given to Mr. Amicone; BVC, as a Federally Registered Charity, will never allow this.
Giving away property of this historic and monetary value is not good for the people or the Town. Council members have again voted for reconsideration of the Amico-Loop proposal. We are asking you to contact Councillors at CouncilEmailGroup@amherstburg.ca to ensure they negotiate any purchase agreement to include proper payment for the property, prompt repair and repurposing of the building and reasonable public access under Town stewardship to return Belle Vue to the centrepiece of this thriving diverse community offering a doorway to the historic past and contributing to the economic and cultural well-being of present and future generations.
—Bonnie Deslippe
& Mary Anne Adam Belle Vue Conservancy
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