It's funny when...

...people decide to all of a sudden pay attention to something that has been in front of their eyes for a long time.

In this case, although I am sure that that sentence was vague enough to cover off most political/social issues, I mean the Barra Castle.

Aka. My backyard.

This place has been a disaster for a long time now… yes, it’s historic (built in 1930), yes it’s amazing inside (google image search Barra Castle Kitchener to see a ton of amazing shots), and yes.. the city completely let this place slip under the radar and deteriorate and are now making the decisions of what to do with it very public.

See press on it here. (thanks G)

And here.

And here.

Months ago, a sketchy developer was skulking around the place and talking to neighbours, there is routinely dudes in SUVs with blueprints staring up at the sky and kids throwing rocks up into the abandoned glass… but now, we’ll see what move the city actually makes… because Mayor Zehr says portions of the original building will be restored to their "original glory" while the rest of it will be put to good use.

I think 1 of two things will happen:

a) a developer gets there way and turns our little haven into a semi-resi-commercial/bauer lofts/Richard florida/mish mash money maker.

b) things remain in limbo… and our neighbourhood remains the quaint, quiet, slightly decayed mystery that it is now.

Good luck City Hall...Sadly, this is pretty much a lose-lose for you.

H.