Masonic Buildings and Downtown (Community) Revitalization / Engagement

The success of Freemasonry and the success of the communities in which it is located cannot be separated.

Masonic Buildings and Downtown (Community) Revitalization

A communities success will be reflected in the Masonic building and bodies therein (and vice-versa).

Since 1921, the Windsor Masonic Temple has been an integral part of Windsor’s downtown (as well as the whole community).

This is not unique to Windsor. In many communities, Freemasonry and Masonic buildings constitute integral parts of the community (both cities and small towns).

So much so, in fact, that a “Masonic Lodge” is referenced in Steve Earl’s “Copperhead Road:”

• “Now daddy ran the whiskey in a big block Dodge
  Bought it at an auction at the Mason’s Lodge”

In April 2024, Windsor’s Mayor and its downtown councillor unveiled a Downtown Revitalization Plan entitled “Strengthening The Core;” a seven-point plan designed to “address safety concerns and implement measures to encourage new investments in the [downtown], while encouraging residents to locate downtown.”

The seven-points are:

1. Safe Streets.
2. High Standards.
3. Healthy Spaces.
4. Place-Making.
5. Vibrant District.
6. ‘Our Downtown’.
7. Stronger Together.

You can find the plan at: https://www.mayordrewdilkens.ca/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/Downtown-Windsor-Revitalization-Plan.pdf

This plan dovetails with the Windsor Masonic Temple’s “For The Next 100 Years” project (which we, at Square & Compass Promotions, have covered extensively).

As noted in one of the mission statements of/for this project: “Freemasons are committed to doing what is best for society.” (Sep 2021 Letter from M.W. Bro. Cameron).

1. Doing what is best for society is ensuring our buildings are as SAFE as possible;
2. Doing what is best for society is ensuring our buildings set HIGH STANDARDS for safety, security, accessibility, and environmental responsibility;
3. Doing what is best for society is ensuring our buildings represent HEALTHY SPACES for/in the community and downtown;
4. Doing what is best for society is ensuring our buildings act as PLACE-MAKERS-or good neighbours that encourage other residents and businesses to move into the downtown areas;
5. Doing what is best for society is ensuring our buildings add to or encourage a VIBRANT AREA;
6. Doing what is best for society is ensuring our buildings act both as a masonic home and a community home-it’s ‘OUR COMMUNITY;’ and
7. Doing what is best for society is remembering that we are “STRONGER TOGETHER,” meaning buildings are integrated with and for the communities in which they are located.

The Windsor Masonic Temple, to its credit, engaged with all of the above (really, since 1921).

This includes:

1. the addition of new security measures, including new and upgraded security cameras with 24-hour monitoring, new and more secure and accessible access;
2. restorations and renovations that create a more accessible as-well as energy efficient buildings, while respecting and maintaining its unique heritage features;
3. inviting (more of) the community into the building, through such initiatives as: “Coffee With A Cop,” “Coffee With A Fire Crew,” providing spaces for local artists to display their work, a January 20th Public Unveiling attended by press, dignitaries, tourists, the public (and some special guests); and
4. partnering with a diverse range of community partners, local businesses, and the community as a whole.

The Mayor, City Councillors, press, and community stakeholders have noted the Windsor Masonic Temple’s engagement.

The problems that the “Downtown Revitalization Plan” seeks to address are not unique to Windsor. As noted in the plan, “[a]cross Ontario and Canada, communities are facing increased challenges around mental health, addictions, and homelessness. This has significant impacts on our ability to create and sustain safe neighbourhoods that are the foundation of any thriving community.”

Likewise, the presence of Masonic buildings engaging with these increased challenges is not unique.

[Question: How is your Masonic building engaging with any challenges being faced by the community in which it is located, such as mental health, addiction, and homelessness?]

We, at Square & Compass Promotions, are proud of the Windsor Masonic Temple’s engagement with Windsor’s downtown and the whole community.

The success of a Masonic building (or Freemasonry in general) and the success of the communities in which they are located cannot be separated. A communities success will be reflected in the Masonic building and bodies therein (and vice-versa).

As such, it is (in our opinion) incumbent upon every Mason and Masonic building to support the communities in which it is located. As we have noted several times…

• Doing what is best for society is ensuring our buildings are as energy efficient and environmentally friendly as possible;
• Doing what is best for society is ensuring our buildings’ unique historical and heritage features for future generations are preserved, championed, and maintained;
• Doing what is best for society is ensuring our buildings are as accessible as possible;
• Doing what is best for society is ensuring our buildings are as safe and secure as possible; and
• Doing what is best for society is ensuring our Temple’s useful life is extended.

We at Square & Compass Promotions wish nothing but success for the City of Windsor, including for this plan, which is at this time heading to Windsor’s City Council for review of the 3.2 million dollar cost.

As CBC noted, “[t]he 2023 budget ultimately included an increase of 4.48 per cent, which 2024 now surpasses if the additional spending for the downtown plan is approved.”

All opinions expressed are those of Square & Compass Promotions and the guest(s), and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of the Windsor Masonic Temple and/or any masonic group.

[1[ 2024 “Strengthen the Core: Downtown Windsor Revitalization Plan,” [https://www.mayordrewdilkens.ca/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/Downtown-Windsor-Revitalization-Plan.pdf]

[2] “Windsor’s mayor unveils new vision for downtown revitalization,” posted Apr 23, 2024 [https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/windsor/windsor-strengthen-the-core-downtown-plan-1.7182492]

[3] https://medium.com/operations-research-bit/preserving-our-masonic-built-heritage-b86fa27e3c5e