It’s Wayback Wednesday brought to you by Cavalcade Color Lab! In this week’s photo (click on the image above to see the full view), the SS Gem picks up passengers at Clyffe House in Port Sydney. Robert Jenner, Clyffe House founder, is fishing in the foreground. Can you guess the year this photo was taken? (Photo courtesy of David Scott)<\/p>\n
Wayback Wednesday is sponsored by Cavalcade Color Lab<\/strong><\/p>\n Last week we shared this photo with you:<\/p>\n This 1980s photo of the old Empire Hotel offers a very different view compared to what\u2019s at the corner of Main and Centre today. An electrical fire on October 8, 2009 and the resulting smoke and water damage led to the Empire’s demolition. It is now an empty lot. (Photo by Dr. N.E. Hunt courtesy of Muskoka Digital Archives.)<\/p>\n We asked Doppler readers “…if you had the chance to redevelop the lot and money was no object, what would you build here?” These were some of the responses:<\/p>\n Kate Brown: “I would build a botanical garden of native plants on the ground floor- with housing, a restaurant and roof top garden.”<\/p>\n Alison Melrose: A 2 tiered parking garage. Huntsville is in desperate need of parking.<\/p>\n Jean Wagg: An underground parking lot, retail main floor and then apartments for 3 floors! Much needed housing, parking and more retail.<\/p>\n Donna Mackay-Collins: It needs to be rebuilt with underground parking then retail and lots of apartments.<\/p>\n Patricia Wood: Replace what was lost affordable housing with shops on the ground floor<\/p>\n C.A. Wiltse: Whatever they put on that spot, I would hope that it includes a bus station! How ridiculous is it to have it at the very end of town? I suppose it’s good for the taxi companies.<\/p>\n Tamii Melvin: 4 story, two bedroom apartments, one floor only one bedroom apts, bottom floor shops + entrance + laundry for tenants,- elevator for accessibility and … maybe a parking garage? Not sure if that would look good\/be a good idea.<\/p>\n Cindy Aitchison-Mortimer: A large covered parking garage with stores at street level.<\/p>\n Paul Drummond: 4 story AFFORDABLE housing<\/p>\n James McIntyre: Hands down, a replica of Massey Hall.<\/p>\n Norm Newton: I would build to resemble the ORIGINAL Empire hotel from the early 1900s with the decks<\/p>\n Janine Marson: A community hub combination of a public art centre (think Burlington Art Centre or Tom Thomson Gallery in Owen Sound) celebrating our local artists\/ artisans and local history. A multifunctional library on main level with shops including an independent coffee shop. An atrium on the side facing West that has a interior botanical garden of local plants with a waterfall feature, where people can go in the dead of winter. Solar collector panels in the atrium and on the roof with green space to help moderate temperatures inside the building. Depending on height of building definitely apartments with access to underground parking and inside facilities for laundry. Dreaming yes.. possible yes…reality hopeful!<\/p>\n Matthew Tynan: How about a 5 star international hotel? I think The Huntsville Sheraton would become a destination location overnight. Also has amazing under ground parking. Hospitality creates hundreds of jobs. Just takes a couple of phone calls to get the ball rolling.<\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/media-doppleronline-ca.s3-accelerate.amazonaws.com\/2018\/07\/Wayback-Wednesday-2018-30-1980s-Empire-Hotel.jpg\")
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