Residents hope for new life in old J.E. Benson school

West-end residents hope the old J.E. Benson public school can once again be a vibrant part of the community. 

Three years after it closed and 102 years after it was built, the stately building was put up for sale last week by the Greater Essex County District School Board.

Residents want to see a community organization or a developer buy the property and convert it to neighbourhood amenity, whether that be shopping or condominiums. 

Bob Harrington has lived on Curry Avenue, directly across from the former school, for more than 60 years. While he misses seeing the school in operation, he doesn't miss the parking issues the school created, with teachers often blocking or parking in his driveway.

He would like to see a residential conversion project, such as the former Edith Cavell school in Riverside, which was converted into condominiums.

"They did a beautiful job of that," he said. "They could do a good job like that here, too — as long as they provide some parking instead of blocking my driveway."

Benson, which closed in June 2014, was offered to public entities such as other school boards and the City of Windsor before being put on the open market. Community groups were not included.

"We are required through the Ministry of Education ... to sell it at market value," said district spokesperson Scott Scantlebury.

The board has not listed an asking price for the 88,600 square-foot building built back in 1915, and has indicated that it will not share appraisals during the bidding process.

The three-storey brick building is listed on the city's heritage register, meaning the city must be given 60 days notice to demolish the building, which would allow council time to debate if the property should be given heritage designation.

Interested buyers have until Sept. 20 to submit offers.

Harrington says the property has stayed in good shape since it closed.

"There's been no problems. The kids have left it mostly alone," he said. "They seem to be trying to take care of the grounds as much as possible to keep the weeds down."

Ward 2 Coun. John Elliott likes the idea of a condo conversion, but he is also open to having a community group take over the building and put it to good use.

Elliott has experience with such projects. He manages the Sandwich Teen Action Group out of the old Catholic school on King Street.

"One of the most compatible things would be if the (University of Windsor) could utilize it for another one of their campuses," he said. "The worst that could happen is it would sit there and become a detriment to the community." 

Elliott added that he'd prefer to see the building stay standing, rather than be demolished.

Tami Frye misses seeing the children play in the school yard across the street from her home on Curry Avenue. "It's kind of boring," she said.

Frye thinks the building should be converted to mall-like retail space, complete with a grocer, clothing and shoe stores.

"I don't know if we can have that done," she said. "I'd be a hop, skip and a jump from it."

Brian Auger McDonald lives on McEwan Avenue. He'd like to see the building become a centre for children with autism, similar to the services provided by the John McGivney Children's Centre.

One of his children has autism and it can sometimes be hard to coordinate travel to the McGivney facility on Matchette Road, he explained.

"We have a big family," McDonald said. "It can be pretty hard and difficult to get to one location."

Kerri Mattatall moved to the neighbourhood a month ago. She would love to see a school in the neighbourhood, but knows the odds of that happening are unlikely.  

"I've always lived far from the schools that I went to, so I'm sure it would be nice for kids to live right across the street," she said.​