41 Buildings of Obvious Heritage and Archaeological Significance Meet The Wrecking Ball in Brantford

As you read this, the first of 41 heritage buildings that could have been the core of a major historic redevelopment of one of Ontario's most important main streets has been torn down, the rest soon to follow. I can't tell you how disturbing it was to watch Council "debate" this issue, how they crapped all over the Federal Government's FedDev for actually following the rules, how they suddenly became libertarians who were going to reject federal and provincial funding from now on; one councillor, who was previously against demolition, switched his vote because he was outraged that the Federal Government had the nerve to come out against demolition!

(you can watch the whole thing here on Rogers. It is a dramatic bit of TV; the passionate deputants, I cried; the pregnant pause as we wait for the rude councillor who does not bother showing up to hear them, and then complains about the strings that come with government money for social services and everything else, as if Brantford could survive an hour without it)

So they decided to blow off the Federal grant of $1.38 million and not do the heritage and archaeological investigations that FedDev wants because a) they will cost money and time and b) they might actually find something and not be able to take down the buildings. (Read the UEM report here) They don't even wait for Ventin Architects to finish their $90,000 documentation of the site, but give the finger to everyone by starting Tuesday morning.

And they call it progress, and announce that they are going to build a Y or an athletic facility on the site, starting off with money from SC Johnson, probably America's biggest supporter of heritage, builders and custodians of Frank Lloyd Wright's Johnson Wax building in Racine. I wonder what the Johnson family will say when they learn that they have money going into the rubble of 41 Heritage buildings.

Our only hope was the Minister of Culture, and his powers under the Heritage Act, but the silence from his office yesterday was deafening. However I have nothing but good things to say about his staff, who have consistently been supportive and understanding and always returned my calls and listened to my rants.

It is not too late for Minister Chan to act, and I hope that he does. But Brant County is complicated, and we have to work with him and the Ministry and I will assume that he and his staff, part of a progressive government that has done some remarkable things, know what they are doing. Practice in Mirror. Rinse. Repeat.

Comments

[Tom Knezic]

This is shocking. It seems that the public process has been manipulated by short sighted municipal officials. They have acted against community and provincial wishes and did wilful harm to their city. The saying " cutting off the nose to spite the face" seems appropriate.

[Ann Mitchell 382 Rawdon Brantford]

Where were all these people when they tore down the centre of Brantford to build their very own Eaton Centre [which stands empty]Those old buildings were left to rack and ruin by their land lord for years and now they are beyond fixing.~I'm from Toronto &saw them 8 yrs ago when I retired here &I said all it needs is one person to open a coffee shop or a botique. But this town is stuck back in the 50's

[MBT outlet]

I agree with your idea.You look like very talented.It is very happy to meet you. Thank you!