In another week or two, a long-standing landmark in Amherstburg will meet the wrecking ball.
After buying up Duffy's Tavern last September, Amherstburg Town Council has pulled the trigger on hiring a demolition crew to start tearing it down. Demolition is expected to take about 11 weeks.
"For the nostalgic people, yeah, it's gonna be weird," admits Mayor Aldo DiCarlo. "But at the same time, with all the possibilities forward with that property; I think people are ready for it."
The tavern and motel opened over 55 years ago, but in recent years has fallen into disrepair.
The town plans to use the property to expand King's Navy Yard Park.
"We are very anxious to get it torn down and open up that waterfront so we can look at what else we're going to do with it," says DiCarlo.
Last fall, the town introduced a proposal to move the marina, add new boat slips, and add green space. That plan would cost $7-million, but it has not been given final approval.
There is already construction underway on a project next door to Duffy's, but DiCarlo says it makes a lot of sense to demolish the tavern now.
"That way we'll have demolition and construction going on in one spot, as opposed to having people living there and having to do the demolition later," says DiCarlo.