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CTV News
a day ago
- Business
- CTV News
Two towers approved for downtown Amherstburg
The Town of Amherstburg has approved the construction of two mixed-use towers at the site of the former General Amherst High School. (Source: Town of Amherstburg) Two new towers will be featured in Amherstburg's skyline after town council approved a monumental development on Monday evening. Council voted 6-1 in favour of allowing Valente Developments to move forward with 8-storey and 11-storey mixed-use towers at the site of the former General Amherst High School. In addressing opposition from neighbouring residents, council members admitted provincial regulations meant rejecting the proposal could open the town to legal blowback, if the developer chose to pursue the matter. 'So, we're never going to agree on this, but we have to come up with a vision for the property along with the developer,' explained Chris Gibb, the town's deputy mayor. The plan includes 144 residential units consisting of condominiums and rental units. The ground floor will feature a mix of retail space and restaurants. 071425 Amherstburg's former high school is being transformed into 144 residential units split between two towers. (Source: Town of Amherstburg) In the months leading up to the decision, residents showed opposition to the plan. At an April 29 meeting, concerns were raised about the building height, lighting, parking and traffic. 'If we vote in favour of this tonight, council loses control, we lose control over this development,' noted Coun. Diane Pouget, who cast the lone vote against the proposal. On Monday, councillors noted the developer worked alongside administrative staff to address as many concerns as possible. 'It really seems that a lot of the concerns are being addressed and that this project is being a project of compromise in many aspects,' said Coun. Linden Crain. Ahead of deliberations, council heard from a lawyer retained by the town to consult on topics raised by the community. 071425 The Town of Amherstburg has approved the construction of two mixed-use towers at the site of the former General Amherst High School. (Source: Town of Amherstburg) 'In my opinion, it wouldn't be defensible to refuse these applications based on the concerns around compliance with federal heritage legislation, insufficient parking or matters that fall squarely within the scope of the site planning process, or an alleged conflict of interest,' explained Analee Baroudi, a lawyer who specializes in land development and municipal law. Speaking to CTV News after the meeting, Peter Valente, the project developer, said he always expected there to be many questions about the project given the site's prominent location and historical significance. 'I've been doing developing for almost 30 years in Windsor, Essex County and this has been the biggest file and the most investment I've made before having any sort of approval whatsoever,' he noted. If the project receives enough interest in the pre-selling market, Valente believes they could break ground in early 2026 and open the doors the following year.
CTV News
23-06-2025
- Business
- CTV News
Construction underway to move long-term care beds from Windsor to Amherstburg
Construction is underway at the corner of Fryer and Richmond Streets for a new long-term care home, seen in Amherstburg, Ont. on June 23, 2025. (Michelle Maluske/CTV News Windsor) Construction has begun to move long-term care (LTC) beds from Windsor to Amherstburg. Work to redevelop Chateau Park Long Term Care home started in March, after being initially announced in 2022. When completed – expected in late 2027 – it will offer 160 LTC beds in town. 'It's one of those 'cradle to grave' ideas that you can spend your whole life in a small town, which is, I think, unique to Canada,' Deputy Mayor Chris Gibb told CTV News Monday. 'It's very much needed because our current long term care home, Richmond Terrace, is full.' Gibb said the project has been stalled since 2019 because of costs, financing, and changes to the layout. 'With the changes in construction costs they (Arch Corporation and Ontario) had to come up with a new agreement,' Gibb said. Arch purchased the site at Fryer and Richmond Streets in 2019 from the municipality. Amherstburg had just bought the land the year before from the Windsor-Essex Catholic District School Board after St. Bernard School was closed. 'We (Amherstburg council) did have to make a few adjustments because they (Arch) needed to purchase some more town land for their stormwater management plan,' Gibb said. The Building Ontario Fund (BOF) announced in January, Arch had secured the financing they needed by 'bundling' four projects together. LTC projects are also underway in Lancaster, Prescott, and Tay Valley, according to a news release. 'Securing financing for projects in rural communities presents unique challenges, often due to their smaller scale,' said Michael Fedchyshyn, CEO of BOF in the release. 'Taking an innovative approach, as we have done by bundling four Arch properties together, we can bring institutional capital to the table and help advance vital infrastructure projects,' Fedchyshyn is quoted. The project will create 101 new beds in Amherstburg and the 59 beds in Windsor will move to the new location. Future of Windsor site? It's not immediately clear what will happen with Chateau Park's location in Windsor, on Riverside Drive, just west of the Ambassador Bridge. Chateau Park Long-term Care home Chateau Park Long-Term Care Home is located on Riverside Drive, seen in Windsor, Ont. on June 23, 2025. (Michelle Maluske/CTV News Windsor) There are currently 59 beds at the Windsor location, which backs onto the Detroit River. CTV News has reached out to the BOF, the Ministry of Long-Term Care, and Chateau Park for more details.
CTV News
10-06-2025
- Business
- CTV News
Amherstburg council approves additional spending due to tariff impact
Amherstburg Municipal Building seen in Amherstburg, Ont. on April 14, 2025 (Robert Lothian/CTV News Windsor) Amherstburg council has approved additional spending from the town's fleet reserves for the purchase of a dump truck . Administration requested council approval Monday evening to cover increased costs as a result of the tariffs imposed on Canada as part of the trade war launched by U.S. President Donald Trump. On Jan. 27, council awarded the purchase of a new dump truck for the roads department to Viking-Cives Ltd. but on April 23, the company informed town administration that purchase cost had increased by $5,596 as a result of the tariffs. The increase of $5,596.80 net HST will result in the final cost of $377,789. The winning tender is from a U.S.-based company that was selected prior municipal councils discussing exploring Buy Canadian policy options. During Monday night's council meeting, deputy mayor Chris Gibb requested administration keep a tally of what tariffs the town is being charged in case they're able to submit for grants from the province down the road. -With files from AM800's Rusty Thomson, written by Dustin Coffman/AM800 News.
