What will happen to Windsor’s downtown library?

The construction continues on the old Paul Martin building in Windsor, but many are asking what this will mean for the downtown library.

What will be the fate of the downtown library once construction is done on the Paul Martin Building?

“We’re in no rush to leave as far as I’m concerned,” said downtown councillor Renaldo Agostino.

One of the options on the table is to remain inside the Paul Martin building even after their lease expires in a couple of years.

“But if it comes down to getting the boutique hotel opened sooner, I would be more than happy to have that conversation,” Agostino told CTV News.

He said no matter what, the library has to be downtown and in the core.

There are options and if the stars align, he would like to see it next to city hall in the Ontario Tourism Information Centre.

“I think as a board member, my vision would certainly align greatly with what the mayor’s looking at doing at that corner there to have a brand-new Central Branch library right in the heart of downtown Windsor.”

There is still a lot of work to do inside the Paul Martin building.

“It’s had its challenges in some of the design phases but we’re getting through it,” said developer Rob Myers, who gave CTV News a quick update on the progress inside of his boutique hotel.

Despite some unexpected challenges, Myers said he is thrilled with the beauty of the building.

He suspects the hotel will be close to finished in a year from now.

“We’re not in a panic to get it done,” Myers said.

“We just want to make sure when we get it done; it’s done very well.”

That conviction and excitement is already providing a shift in the general area.

According to Agostino, there has been some investment happening leading up to the opening of the boutique hotel.

“At one point in time it was a thriving area for upscale stuff and that’s on its way back,” said Agostino, who wasn’t at liberty to say who and how many have invested, but he said more is coming.

“You look at the securities building turning into a residential tower soon. A brand-new cafe opening on the corner there, so you can see a lot of things. There’s some action happening and I think the boutique hotel is going to be in many ways that’ll be the finish line.”

A high-level city official told CTV News all options are on the table. The city could build new now, move to another interim home or retrofit an existing building to call home. Ongoing discussion continues.