Heritage committee approves of work being done at 79 Murray St.

By Ron Giofu

Amherstburg’s heritage committee has been largely receptive to the proposed restoration for the building at 79 Murray St.

The building, which sits on the southeast corner of Murray St. and Ramsay St., is currently in disrepair but owner Adam Rossetto and his family hope to change that soon. That is according to Crystal Waddel of Mean Studio, who helped design the restored building. The committee endorsed the proposed alterations and recommended the town council delegate authority to endorse minor alterations associated with the exterior façade, windows and colour palette to heritage planner Adam Coates.

“Our client hopes to get underway ASAP,” said Waddel.

Waddel outlined the history of the property to the heritage committee, including the sale of the land in 1843 to shoemaker James Gott. That year, a twostorey wood frame building was constructed which included a milliner’s shop with second floor dwelling.

According to Waddel’s presentation, the building received plate glass windows in 1906 when an insurance map shows it was then a one-and-one-half storey structure with no indication of the reason for the change. The building was a harness shop at that time. Her presentation showed that, in 1913, the building seems to have the same configuration it does today.

Future uses included a brewer’s warehouse, a notions shop, Harry’s Shoe Repair (in the 1950’s, for whose sign is still on the building), a drug store, a newspaper office for the River Town Times in the 1990s, and a pet groomer.

The proposed renovations include one or two commercial units on the ground floor, a 244-squarefoot addition to the southeast side of the building and an upper floor residential unit.

A report from Coates indicated the current issues with the building, including a building structure condition assessment from the owner by Aleo

Associates Inc.

“The assessment outlines the major concerns with the condition of the structural system. The structural condition is classified as being in ‘poor condition’ and noted that the building is not safe to be occupied in its current state. The assessment outlines structural items that require repair before further renovation work can be completed,” Coates’ report states. “It is the opinion of the Heritage Planner that if steps are not taken to stabilize the building and protect it from weather infiltration, that the damage to the structure will continue to worsen. That being said, the owner of the property has proposed alterations to the building in order to stabilize the structure and revitalize the property.”

Coates said the current motion from the committee allows him to continue working with the proponents. He noted in his report the owner and his agents from Mean Studio “have worked extensively with the planning and building department” on the proposal.

“On multiple occasions the design team reached out to the Heritage Planner to discuss fenestration and cladding alternatives. The design team completed a review of the existing context of the area and adjacent properties. Further, the design team reviewed the historical timeline for the property and referenced