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MMW'Wy,Mm13.ZOlJ-J A lesson in preservation Prominent Waterloo developer says former St. LOUIS Catholic school can be protected minimum ing old schools for modern use. a..- . social Woe to get by. and she 0|"!!!ka When the fomierAlexandm public is I member of the Kitchener- school was put up or sale in the WaterlooAlllanceAgalthoverty. Thethr'rdofathrae-pan late 19905. Fahelaaidhls proposal 'lthlukthereisalackofknowl. Wantonkleseries was the only one that didn‘t edge of the need (for supportive mining the past, preaenrand involve tearing the building to the boring: she said “A lot of people funueof the former St. (out: ground. are under-housed or precarioust Catholic school in Waterloo. By the year 2000 he had trans- bowed. so it isn‘t therevldent' formed the school. built in 1909, At a ribbon-cutting ceremony f and when the city of Waterloo into 22 condominium suites right for three new afiordable housing Irequests proposals to redevelop in the heart of uptown Waterloo. development: this past January, the former St. Louis Catholic “I believe in retrofitting, in Regional Chair Ken Selling school site near the uptown core. at preservation." Fahel said “They're acknowledged the growing need ‘ least one of those proposals will likely pan of our history. our culture and for the service in the region. noting involvetrmringitdovm our heritage." there are about 1500 applications . i The developer might point to His proposal for St. Louis in for supportive housingalone. “ the age and condition of the 2005 was very similartoAlexandra. Mayor Brenda Halloran said school and claim the restoration of only he wanted to turn the former city council was working with the the city's first Catholic school, built Catholic school into 22 retirement community to find the right lit for in 1905. isn't worth the investment apartments with universal access St. Louisschool. it would be more cost effective)? Fahel. who toured the St. Louis Councillors would like to get knock the 24,000 square-! t school just lastyear. said the build- the issue settled sooner rather building down and start anew. ing did present some challenges than later. she said, but the mayor Should such a proposal cross for redevelopment â€" mould and wouldn't comment on any redevel~ the desk of councillors and city asbestos. just to name a fewâ€" but opment options. staff. Shawky Fahel has a few overall the structure is stillingood "it's an important piece of wordsofadvcice. shape, though he wishes the property,” said Halloran, whose ”i can prove them wrong.” said school board had not left it sitting Girl Guide meetings back in 1964 the Waterloo-based entrepreneur unattended for seven years. “it's and 1965 were held in the base- and chief executive officer of the been neglected. and these old mentofSt. lotus school. JG Group of Companies. “That buildings need lots of love and “It seemed old to me then.” she option should not be entertained care,” hesaid laughed. as an option at all. That building While the school has not been The city must also consider can be put towed use.” designated a historical site, the ' ys of getting back at leastsome ClosedbytheWaterioo Catholic North Waterloo Branch of the . ifits $535,000 investment. . District School Board in 1983 due Architecture Conservancy of “We’re cost-conscious, so that to falling enrolment. the school Ontario is preparing a request for M‘E‘QNMKa-fl, ...._ g _ __ mm definitely would be something was used as an adult education city council to reverse that deci- - we're looking at,” said Halloran. _ centre until 2005 when the board siorL myfimgmflm WWW”) “gm“fi: thong! she didn‘t nrle out a possi- finallyclosedit forgood. The group says the building ‘ ‘ ble public/private partnership Fahel has made at least two meets all three categories of the Ar the opposite end of the pie ol‘fthe streets ofWaterloo since with developers. otters to buy the building from the Ontario Heritage Act, including development spectrum. Eleanor it opened its doors in lune of 2010 Whether the city might still school board â€" in 2005 and again physical ordesign value in its oon~ Grant also wants the building to be and moved 30 people into a five. have a willing redevelopment in 2009 â€" but both deals fell struction. historical value to the preserved, Notas high-end oondo- storey apartment at 362 Erb St W. applicant in Fahel â€" one of the through. Last March the board city. and contextual value within miniums or apartments. but as an lt olfers around-the-clock support region’s foremost developers who sold the school and a portion of the community. afiordable housing complex mod- and tries to match them up with already had a plan in place for the the Mary Allen Park across Willow “Heritage designation is an eled alter the successful Support- services to help address some of buildingâ€" remains to be seen. Streetto the city. important step because it will ive Housing ofWaterloo program. the issues that contributed to their “l'm hopeful to participate in NOW. council is struggling With encourage reâ€"use 0f the my “Since the site is already owned homelessness the process of implementing our what to do with the building it said the group's comments, for- by the city this would be a kick Grant has seen the need for vision.” said Fahel. paid a little more than half 3 mil- warded to the Chronicle by Kae starter, if the site could be made more affordable housing first- 'There is a disconnect between lion dollars for. Elgie, president of the North available." saldGrant. hand. The landlord has had ten~ heritage and development. They Fahel has experience renovat» Waterloo Branch of the A00. 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