BlackburnNews.com file photo inside General Amherst High School. (Photo by Jason Viau)BlackburnNews.com file photo inside General Amherst High School. (Photo by Jason Viau)
Windsor

Amherstburg council to discuss heritage listing for General Amherst High

Before it sits vacant, Amherstburg Town Council will discuss whether General Amherst High School should get a heritage listing.

It's the first step towards a heritage designation, and it doesn't mean the building will be designated, but it will hold off any plans to tear it down.

Councillors will debate it on Monday night.

The school will close at the end of the year, and students from General Amherst and Western High School will move into a new building called North Star High School.

Mayor Aldo DiCarlo says the Greater Essex County District School Board will have first dibs on the property. If it doesn't want it, the town will have the next crack at it.

He said he isn't sure if anyone on council has any ideas for it, but he notes the current town hall doesn't meet current building codes and bringing it up to standard could be very expensive.

"If we're not considering a new building, we better find a place to operate out of," he quipped.

DiCarlo also pointed out the town's recent success in turning a portion of the former St. Bernard Catholic Elementary School into a community hub.

"The possibilities are really endless," he said.

The school was constructed in three phases. The oldest dates back to 1922, while another section that includes mosaic tile went up in 1967.

Should town councillors pass the opportunity by, DiCarlo admitted some real estate agents and developers have expressed interest.

The only restriction for a listed heritage property is the current owner, the public school board, has to give the town 60 days' notice if it wants to demolish the building. During that time, the council can consider whether to have it designated under the Ontario Heritage Act.

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