Sandwich Town demolishes vacant homes for future development

In Sandwich Town, more than a dozen abandoned homes are being demolished. This is happening on Indian Road and Rosedale Avenue. The Canadian Transit Company (CTC) received demolition permits from the city to clear the area. Councillor Fabio Costante is optimistic about the changes. He believes this demolition is important for the revitalization of Sandwich Town. "I'm much more hopeful and optimistic than I've ever been," he said. The homes were bought by CTC to create space for a new international crossing near the Ambassador Bridge. However, the owner of the bridge has stated that there are no immediate plans to move forward with the project. The federal permit for the construction expired in 2022. Instead, the bridge owner is working on expanding the plaza where transportation trucks undergo secondary inspections. They want to move the inspection area closer to the port of entry. Representatives from CTC have not responded to requests for more information about future plans. Changes are occurring in the relationship between the city and the bridge company. Both Costante and Mayor Drew Dilkens expressed hope for better cooperation. Dilkens mentioned that the bridge owner, Mr. Moroun, is interested in moving past past conflicts and improving relations with the city. The Moroun family has owned the Ambassador Bridge since 1979 and has had a history of legal disputes with local and federal governments. The discussions now focus on how to handle the vacant homes and the relocation of the Canadian Border Services Agency's operations. Costante is hopeful that a resolution will come soon, despite the complexities of the situation. He believes that progress can be made in a timely manner.