Company plans redevelopment for former Don Cherry’s bar on Pelissier St.
A local company has plans to transform the former Don Cherry’s restaurant, a long-vacant and dilapidated eyesore on Pelissier Street, into new retail spaces with residential units above.
Ward 3 Coun. Rino Bortolin said the development will be a huge step in the street’s renaissance, which is already taking shape with Maiden Lane, Cafe March 21 coffee shop and other businesses.
“The storefronts are starting to come back,” said Bortolin. “Brand new residential units bringing all those residents into that area, that will kick start some of the other units next door. It will really put the finishing touches on a block that’s been experiencing an uptick, especially with things like the farmer’s market. So you add this piece to the puzzle and it’s going to be a huge game changer for that area.”
The city has received a request for site plan approval for the former bar and restaurant at 531 Pelissier St., which has been vacant since 2009.
The agenda for Monday’s city council meeting states there is an offer from BK Cornerstone Design Build Ltd. to buy the building. The application for site plan approval is from Amanda Fernandes of Philip Fernandes Custom Residential Design.
The plan is for the conversion of the main floor into commercial rentals and the second floor to residential units. But the plan goes beyond that.
“They’re actually adding a floor, so they’re going to make the building bigger,” said Bortolin. “Right now it can accommodate two floors of residential, and they’re looking to make it three floors of residential.”
The business, last known as the Box Office bar, surrendered its liquor licence in 2009, went into receivership and was put up for sale after becoming notorious for the violence that occurred outside its doors.
Customer Luis Acosta-Escobar, 21, was shot to death outside the Box Office in December 2007. His death was the fourth shooting within a block of the bar in four years. The Box Office also had a plaque on the wall in honour of Brian Bolyantu, who was shot dead nearby on March 24, 2003.
Bortolin said he believes the sudden interest in the building after it was boarded-up and empty for eight years is a result of the city’s Downtown Windsor Enhancement Strategy and Community Improvement Plan.
The strategy, meant to enhance amenities and draw residents and visitors downtown, contains 39 recommendations including grants to encourage landlords to create residential units in vacant upper floor spaces of existing buildings.
The plan, which took effect last month, also includes grants up to $50,000 to build new residential projects and up to $20,000 for facade improvements.
With tax grants, $5,000 per unit and no development charges, Bortolin said the new owner of the old Box Office could save hundreds of thousands of dollars.
“The owner of that building at the time said whatever you guys are doing, it’s having an impact because I got more calls in the last three days than I’ve got in the last four years on this building,” said Bortolin. “He’s obviously sold it and the new person is coming in with this plan. When you look at adding floors, to me that’s huge.”