Windsor vs the Ambassador Bridge Company

The City of Windsor and the Ambassador Bridge Company are in the midst of a power struggle for properties in the west-end community.

The main argument presented in court by Matty Moroun and the bridge company is with the Ambassador Bridge being placed in the City of Windsor, it acts as an arm of the federal government. Therefore, the Ambassador Bridge Company does not have to adhere to municipal by-laws.

Property ownership has been a battle for quite some time, evident by streets such as Indian Road, as well as long-standing buildings J.L. Forster High School and Abars (located in the east-end).

Although the struggle between Moroun and the City of Windsor enters its third appeal, Ward 2 councilor John Elliott says he still has hope Moroun will stick to his initial plan to upkeep the properties owned by the Ambassador Bridge Company.

“My position was give it a wait and see, and keep an open mind,” said Elliott. “The first impression was that if we can keep the building viable, they’re purposing to keep it open to community grounds… the last thing I want to see is another building boarded up.”

A transaction that was the boiling point for much of the west-end community was the sale of J.L. Forster high school. However, Elliott said since the sale of J.L. Forster the Ambassador Bridge Company has kept their word to keep it standing

Elliott said the building was a peace offering to the community.

The impact of the Ambassador Bridge Company is being felt by many residents of the west end.

Rita Higgins, a resident of the west-end since 1980 said she hopes to see the community return to the state it was once in a flourishing, and vibrant community.

“You can notice the divide from Huron Church to our community,” said Higgins. “It has segregated our community from the rest of Windsor.”

According to CBC.ca the lawsuits continue to pile up as the city has already invested $2.9 million in legal fees to try and preserve the properties owned by Moroun. The two parties are in their third appeal which is being heard in the Supreme Court of Canada.

As reported by the Windsor Star, Moroun is now claiming a NAFTA challenge against the American and Canadian governments, claiming both sides are trying to steal boarder crossing revenues from the Ambassador Bridge.