A wrecking ball lies in wait for Duffy’s Tavern, an Amherstburg landmark once known on both sides of the border for its vibrant nightlife and heaping plates of frog legs and perch.
Town council approved the purchase of the prime piece of waterfront property with plans to refurbish the marina and tear down the aging tavern and adjacent motor inn.
The tavern doors locked for the last time almost three years ago when owner Zarko Vucinic decided at 92 years old that 55 years of slinging beer and serving hungry customers was enough.
Amherstburg Mayor Aldo DiCarlo stands in the marina at Duffy’s Motor Inn and Tavern, which has been sold to the Town of Amherstburg, Sept. 13, 2016.
Business wasn’t close to its heyday, when American boaters filled the marina every weekend of the summer season.
“If you weren’t here by 4 o’clock on a Saturday you couldn’t get in,” longtime patron Mary Ann Van Laere told the Star’s Craig Pearson back in 2013.
Both buildings are badly outdated and “a bit of an eyesore” in the downtown core, said Mayor Aldo DiCarlo, who added the town isn’t interested in running either business venture.
He described the land’s potential as “an extension of Navy Yard Park” overlooking the Detroit River.
Council voted 6-1 in favour of acquiring the almost three-acre parcel located south of King’s Navy Yard Park for $1.7 million. Coun. Diane Pouget was the lone opponent.
Pouget went for a bike ride Tuesday and was stopped by four residents who were angry at news of the town’s intention to purchase. She also fielded about a dozen phone calls.
“We blindsided our public,” she said. “They were not prepared for this. Every single person I spoke with is furious.”
The crown jewel of the property is a 70-slip marina that once offered the sale of gasoline to visiting boaters, something that has disappeared from the coastline between LaSalle and Colchester.
“This is a great opportunity for the town,” said former councillor Carolyn Davies, now president of the Amherstburg Chamber of Commerce. “We have often envisioned having a marina downtown. It’s a real benefit to our residents. This will draw visitors and people who will think about moving to Amherstburg. There’s huge potential for all kinds of tourism.”
The Town of Amherstburg will use its reserve fund to finance the purchase of Duffy’s Motor Inn and Tavern on Dalhousie Street, seen here on Sept. 13, 2016.
Davies noted how currently Great Lakes cruise ships have to dock in Windsor and then bus passengers for a day trip to Amherstburg.
Visiting tall ships can only dock in Amherstburg with special permission to tie up at the gated Canadian Coast Guard station.
“Now, tall ships could dock where visitors could enjoy them,” Davies said. ”This could be a huge draw.”
Pouget cited her election promise to focus on paying down the town’s debt for her opposition. “In a perfect world I’d love to purchase Duffy’s, it’s a beautiful piece of property but less than six months ago we were told by our financial department that our reserves were at risk.”
The town will use its reserve fund to finance the purchase.
DiCarlo said residents will soon have an update on the reserve fund and he noted the town’s debt has been reduced to $42 million from $48 million last year.
He called the Duffy’s purchase “an investment in the town. The good news is we have the money in the bank to pay for it. As for any controversy about building up reserves and now spending some of it, this is not something you can say we’ll do it next year. It might not be there next year.”
After Duffy’s Tavern closed for good, the Vucinic family quietly continued to run the 35-unit motor inn.
“I’m not in a position to say anything at this point,” said Zarko’s daughter, Grace Zec, about the sale. “Nothing is done yet.”
Zec referred further questions to the family’s realtor Jason Laframboise.
Laframboise noted there are certain conditions that must be met in order for the deal to proceed.
He also said the Vucinic family “is very, very happy the town is purchasing the property. I think they thought that would be the best thing for the community.”
Town CAO John Miceli said an appraisal and environmental study must be completed before the sale can officially be closed. He’s looking at late December or early January.
Miceli helped negotiate the sale price, which was less than the $2.5-million asking price.
Gordon Orr, CEO of Tourism Windsor Essex Pelee Island, described the purchase as “very strategic. I know Amherstburg council understands tourism and gets tourism. Anything they can do to enhance their tourism assets is only going to help stimulate visitation and celebrate their waterfront.”
Council voted down a motion Monday to finalize the purchase of the historic Belle Vue House and its surrounding property. In May, council was unanimous in its support of DiCarlo’s motion to have Miceli enter into negotiations for the historic site and to develop a business plan.
Belle Vue House and adjacent waterfront property were listed for $1.95 million.
“When it all shook out, the majority of council did not feel it was a viable business plan for the town,” DiCarlo said.
Amherstburg Mayor Aldo DiCarlo at Duffy’s Motor Inn and Tavern, which has been sold to the Town of Amherstburg, Sept. 13, 2016.
