Windsor Library Begins Vacating Downtown Paul Martin Building Amid Search for Permanent Home
Despite the absence of a confirmed new permanent location, Windsor Public Library's central branch has initiated a gradual departure from what was originally intended as temporary quarters within the historic Paul Martin Building. This move comes as local officials eagerly anticipate a decision regarding a potential new home adjacent to city hall.
Provincial Decision Pending on Key Downtown Property
Library board chair Mark McKenzie revealed that the province's call for expressions of interest concerning the shuttered downtown Tourism Ontario property concludes this month. The city has identified this site as the preferred location for establishing a new central library branch.
"Once that closes, I'm hoping relatively soon the province will be able to choose who they're going to give it to — and hopefully it's us," McKenzie stated following Monday's library board meeting. "Hopefully, we'll have an answer within the next month or two. That's what I'd love to have — 'Here's the plan, this is what we're doing, and here's the timelines on it.'"
Mayor Drew Dilkens confirmed earlier this month that Windsor has formally submitted an expression of interest to acquire the former Ontario Travel Information Centre property from the provincial government. This strategic location next to city hall represents what many hope will become the library's long-term home.
Partial Relocation Already Underway
Windsor Public Library CEO Jennifer Knights announced during Monday's meeting that the central branch has successfully vacated one of the two floors it previously occupied in the Paul Martin Building at 185 Ouellette Avenue. As of last Friday, administrative staff and the digital branch have relocated to 185 City Hall Square South, directly across from city hall.
"We are officially off the second floor at the Paul Martin Building," Knights informed board members. "Everyone's flexibility, including the staff who are still working at the Paul Martin building, has been very much appreciated."
Frustration Over Extended Timeline
This development represents the latest chapter in a prolonged effort to establish a new central library in downtown Windsor, following the collapse of a decade-old plan that aimed to complete construction by 2026. The central branch has now spent six years in what was always considered temporary accommodations.
McKenzie, who joined the library board in 2022, acknowledged the frustratingly slow progress, noting that the process has "dragged along" for years. "This has been going on for years and it's just unfortunate," he explained. "COVID kind of screwed things up a little bit. Then we got a new board come in, and so a lot of things have changed. And then we were hoping we were going to have an answer on this tourism building a couple years ago. We weren't expecting that to take as long as it took."
Community Support for Permanent Solution
The library board temporarily postponed detailed discussion about potential new locations during their Monday meeting, opting to wait for more concrete information from provincial authorities. However, McKenzie emphasized the broad consensus supporting a permanent resolution.
"It's something that I know the mayor wants, and it's something that the board wants too," said McKenzie, who also serves as Windsor's Ward 4 city councillor. "And honestly, it's something that I think staff wants, and I know that the residents of Windsor want to finally see a new central library branch."
The partial relocation from the Paul Martin Building marks a significant step forward while Windsor awaits provincial determination regarding the former tourism property. Library officials remain hopeful that a definitive plan will emerge within the coming months, finally providing the community with the permanent central library facility it has sought for years.
