More than a year after it first began, demolition of the former GM transmission plant is more than half way complete and it continues to attract onlookers who are curious about what's next.

One key component of the Windsor landmark is set to come down.

As part of the ongoing demolition of the former facility, the walkway that once joined two major plants is scheduled to disappear. 

Local historian Chris Edwards says it’s like losing a limb.

“It’s a bit shocking when you see it opened up,” says Edwards. “It's always been this tunnel, this dark gap that you go through, like a passage from Tecumseh to Wyandotte. Now it’s all open and the building is gone. This giant building has completely disappeared. It's quite a shock.”

A spokesperson for Jones Group Ltd. couldn't confirm when the walkway would be coming down, but said it’s a big project involving the closure of Walker Road.

He said crews continue to plug away on dismantling the 1.2-million square foot site and today, demolition is approximately 75 per cent complete.

“Kind of a sad memorial to me,” says John Bell a 30-year employee.

As many of you remember, the plant shut down in July 2012, putting 1,400 people out of work, including Bell. 

“I would have liked to see 1000 young people get a shot to have a job there,” says Bell.

Bell has watched the demolition unfold from the very beginning, including multiple attempts to bring down the GM smokestack.  He admits it's been sad to watch.

“It was the best place to work, great place, great people,” says Bell. “They made 27 million-plus transmissions out of there. If you know how much work goes into that. Amazing. It was beautiful.”

From the site, the GM world headquarters is visible in the distance..

“A contrast between past and what future represents for automotive industry, it’s in big transition,” says Edwards.

In time, it will become a giant empty lot in the middle of Windsor.

Edwards hopes what goes in its place, will be a symbol of the city’s past.  He hopes the city will look to other communities to see what they've done with sites like this.

So far no specific announcements have been made on the property's future by the co-owners.