03-20-2015, 04:10 PM
(03-20-2015, 03:24 PM)BuildingScout Wrote:(03-20-2015, 03:22 PM)panamaniac Wrote: I was just checking on-line and I couldn't find this one (130 Victoria St. S) on either of the list of designated or non-designated properties.
It was recommended for listing. Search for:
LISTING OF NON-DESIGNATED PROPERTY OF CULTURAL HERITAGE VALUE OR INTEREST ON THE MUNICIPAL HERITAGE REGISTER
December 16, 2009.
Maybe the Heritage committee never approved it. It would make a lot of sense if it didn't, as far as I'm concerned.
I find myself somewhere in the middle on this one. I think "beauty" with respect to heritage value is somewhat irrelevant and very subjective. Instead, we should be preserving buildings and sites for their value in defining the community they serve. If Vitrolite is what is valued here, then yes, it doesn't need to be protected. That material will be hard to replace and preserve if it is to remain 'forever' and to my limited knowledge, we don't owe Vitrolite anything locally. However, I suspect it might be the rare authenticity of the drive-through dry cleaners that remain in the City that is being valued in this case.
I would prefer to see the site well documented and allowed to be redeveloped in the long run or incorporated as part of a new development because there is a much higher and better use that could be served in this location. Incorporating elements of the building in a new development would be appropriate in my opinion. One re-use option that comes to mind is turning this into a cool restaurant - has anyone ever been to Vinsetta Garage in Detroit?