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Town to further look at proposal to move town hall to former high school

Updated: Sep 25

Peter Valente from the Valente Development Corporation and Dan Soleski from Architecttura presented their renderings for what they hope to do with the former General Amherst High School site. They were before Amherstburg town council Monday night with council approving in principle a plan to move town hall into a portion of the building.
Peter Valente from the Valente Development Corporation and Dan Soleski from Architecttura presented their renderings for what they hope to do with the former General Amherst High School site. They were before Amherstburg town council Monday night with council approving in principle a plan to move town hall into a portion of the building.

Could the former General Amherst High School site be the home of a new town hall?


The answer to that is not known yet, but town council has agreed to look deeper into the matter.


Town council heard from Peter Valente of Valente Development Corporation and Dan Soleski from Architecttura about the proposal, which would see a new town hall go into the southwest corner of the former school. That would include a council chambers/multi-use space in what was the school’s gymnasium.


Peter Valente from the Valente Development Corporation and Dan Soleski from Architecttura presented their renderings for what they hope to do with the former General Amherst High School site. They were before Amherstburg town council Monday night with council approving in principle a plan to move town hall into a portion of the building.

The motion passed by town council sees the proposal to embed a new town hall into the property be approved in principle and that a public open house be held at the Libro Centre Oct. 5 from 10 a.m.-12 noon. A survey would also be issued that Amherstburg residents could provide input on.


The town’s heritage committee is also now scheduled to provide input at its October meeting.


Administration has been directed to bring a report back to council on the results of the survey, open house and heritage committee with that report to contain further recommendations.


Soleski said Architecttura has experience with municipal buildings, having worked or currently working on projects in Chatham-Kent, Essex, Kingsville and Windsor. He believed the project aligns with the town’s strategic directions of sustainability, diversification, being progressive, vitality and protection of the town’s historic sites and heritage.


“It’s a progressive project. It’s unique,” said Soleski.


Peter Valente from the Valente Development Corporation and Dan Soleski from Architecttura presented their renderings for what they hope to do with the former General Amherst High School site. They were before Amherstburg town council Monday night with council approving in principle a plan to move town hall into a portion of the building.

A total of 35,000 square feet would be devoted to a town hall. The development would be part of an overall plan with residential units and retail spaces. Much of the building could be saved, Soleski indicated, including the murals though he pointed out renovations behind a historic facade is not uncommon.


The 2,100 square foot proposed council chambers could serve as a civic theatre or for other functions, he suggested.


Protection of the historic facade along Bill Wigle Park could include a glass protection in front, though final costs have not been worked out as to what that would look like. The school’s former library could be a new restaurant or retail with retail along Sandwich St. S. A multi-unit residential development would go up in behind the town hall, though the height and density have yet to be determined.


“The market, in terms of how many units, Peter and his team are trying to figure out how many units are the sweet spot,” he said.


Soleski said they are looking at natural buffering and parking lots to separate it from neighbours.


Neighbouring Bill Wigle Park could be transformed with an esplanade to allow public events to be held there. It could serve as a “front lawn” and outdoor space for the town hall.


Peter Valente from the Valente Development Corporation and Dan Soleski from Architecttura presented their renderings for what they hope to do with the former General Amherst High School site. They were before Amherstburg town council Monday night with council approving in principle a plan to move town hall into a portion of the building.

An administrative report from Deputy CAO/director of development services Melissa Osborne stated: “The proposal would see the preservation of the heritage façade as well as a majority of the murals” and “while the heritage façade will be salvaged, the proposal will see everything behind the heritage façade removed and fully reconstructed in accordance with current building standards and alignment with AODA requirements which go into effect in 2030.” She added the developer is open to lease, own or lease-to-own models.


“It’s a very exciting proposal,” said Councillor Diane Pouget. “It’ll be even more exciting if a deal can be reached with very good rates for us.”


Pouget called for public input to be had into the process so ratepayers could have their voices heard. She asked if the park proposal could be a “game changer” if residents want the park to remain as is with Soleski adding it would not be. He noted it was an idea developed in meeting with town administration.

“It seemed to be kind of a mutual potential direction but by no means is it mandated,” he said.


Councillor Don McArthur called it “a fascinating proposal” and thanked the proponents for working with the town to get it to town council Monday night. He believed the positive impact “was off the charts” with people living and working in the area.


Councillor Linden Crain said the town should explore the concept further and get public feedback, calling it “very exciting and well thought out.” He asked about the inspiration for including the town, with Soleski stating great mixed use projects have a diversity of use. He said the town being involved would “take it to the next level” as it mixes private and public projects.


“Ideally, you always want to have a diversity of uses in your developments,” he said. 


Soleski said smaller, historical communities could look to Amherstburg and say “look at what they’re doing.”“I think it’s really forward thinking (the town) would entertain this. I’m excited this. I applaud the people who thought of it on your end as well,” he said.


Deputy Mayor Chris Gibb was optimistic.


“This is a very exciting project, at this point. Obviously, negotiations will have to go further,” said Gibb. “I like the idea of putting the history into a new building. I really like the idea of saving the murals.”


Soleski said the proponents are trying to maintain 60-70 per cent of the building. He said a lot of the structures are planned to be maintained and they are going to “re-skin with brick and limestone.” 


A presentation that followed from representatives of JLL, the firm that conducted the town’s space needs study, also pointed out the need to consolidate staff and services into a new town hall as part of their presentation. It was separate from the presentation that preceded it, but noted it looked at possible new locations for a town hall including Bill Wigle Park. Other locations they identified were the Libro Centre, near fire station #2, the current public works main yard, across from Bill Wigle Park or stay at the current building. A full story on the space needs study will be in next week’s issue.

Town to further look at proposal to move town hall to former high school

By Ron Giofu



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