City of Windsor buys vacant west-end school to boost housing, curb crime concerns

The City of Windsor's recent purchase of a west-end school was driven by the need for more housing and the desire to prevent another vacant space from becoming a crime hotspot, according to one councillor.

The former St. Michael's Adult High School, located at 477 Detroit St., was purchased by the city this past September.

At the time, provincial legislation required school boards to first offer properties to preferred entities, including local municipalities, before listing them publicly.

According to west-end Coun. Fabio Costante, several schools and public institutions in Windsor have been acquired by private buyers, some of whom have failed to make "good public use" of the spaces.

"These are all important parcels of property that are sitting vacant and rotting in our community," said Costante.

The city’s ultimate goal is to convert the site into housing. Costante added there was another key reason for purchasing the property.

"We've seen some of these public institutions just sit vacant and create opportunities for petty crime, nuisance, and neighborhood issues," he said.

Vacant St. Michael's Adult High School on Jan. 10, 2025. (Sanjay Maru/CTV News Windsor)

The Windsor Police Service has responded to numerous calls at abandoned schools and other empty buildings.

"The nature of the call sometimes that we get is trespassing or they can attract attention like vandalism, squatting, or arson," said Const. Bianca Jackson, adding incidents at abandoned schools often happen at night. "They can become hot spots for illegal activity and different hazards. It can impact the security of neighborhoods, so we don't like to see abandoned buildings."

One frequent issue at these sites involves thieves attempting to steal copper.

"Fewer abandoned schools and other buildings is definitely a benefit for us because there's fewer calls for service and a lower chance of an officer getting injured," added Jackson.

Essex County OPP Const. Steven Duguay echoed similar concerns, saying abandoned schools are often used as shelter, targets for scrap metal theft, or places for curious kids to explore.

Police notify property owners after break-ins and advise them on preventative measures, such as securing windows.

"So, closing off access points," said Duguay. "If there's any overgrown shrubbery in front of windows, try to keep it as maintained as possible on the exterior so people can't hide and sneak into these buildings and be invisible from the roadway."

Costante noted several abandoned schools near the former St. Michael's site have required frequent police attention. He cited examples such as the former J.L. Forester High School on Edison Street, Sacred Heart Elementary School on Cameron Avenue and J.E. Benson school on Wyandotte Street West.

Former J.E. Benson school on Jan. 10, 2025. (Sanjay Maru/CTV News Windsor)

At the former J.E. Benson school, CTV News observed a broken window leading into a lower-level bathroom — creating enough space for someone to enter.

Inside the bathroom were broken pipes and scattered paper debris.

The city plans to issue expressions of interest (EOIs) for the St. Michael's property. The goal is to find a developer committed to building residential units that "add to the fabric and density of Sandwich Town," said Costante. "Now that we control this parcel, we can hopefully see a really good housing development there."

St. Michael's Adult High School relocated to the former Catholic Central building on Tecumseh Road East in 2023.

The building at 477 Detroit St. has been vacant ever since.