The Canadian government is spending $6-million to fix the facade of downtown Windsor's Paul Martin Building.
Early estimates had the job pegged at $19-million, but government officials say replacing spackled stone panels on site and resealing the stone joints with a flexible synthetic compound will reduce the cost. Mortar will be replaced between the facade blocks, limestone is expected to be replaced and steel brackets that support the stones will be inspected as part of the project as well.
Essex MP Jeff Watson says Windsor residents at large aren't the only ones interested in seeing the building restored. "The immediate decision, based in part on our soundings with potential developers last summer, was that the facade repair would be important in a divestiture."
The project tender will be awarded this September, with plans to have the entire Paul Martin Building facade fully restored by the summer of 2016.
Federal government employees are expected to remain in the building, during and following renovations.