15 August 2009
City Expects Ottawa to Maintain CP Station
Canadian Pacific Railway Owen Sound station - Date/photographer
unknown.
Owen Sound Ontario - Owen Sound has sent notice to
Ottawa that it expects the federal government to maintain its derelict Canadian Pacific Railway station and property, as it finalizes
its sale with the city.
City manager Jim Harrold said the sale has stalled on the feds' end, as Ottawa works to complete its requirements for the transaction.
Initially, the city expected the deal to close in March, but Harrold said he now anticipates it to close in September.
Canadian Pacific Railway Owen Sound station - Date/photographer
unknown.
Meanwhile, the building and its property continue to sit as an eyesore on the harbour's east side.
"It's unfortunate because we really want to improve that building and spark up that side of the harbour," Harrold said
Friday in an interview.
He said the city has sent a letter to the crown corporation stating it still expects CP to maintain the structure, which is riddled
with graffiti, and mow the grass and weeds around it.
The city can issue an order to force maintenance of the property, at the owner's expense, but Harrold said he hopes the situation is
resolved before then.
The old CP Railway station, a nationally historic railroad site, was conditionally purchased by the city in January.
Among the requirements was for the city to be satisfied with the property's environmental and structural condition.
In February, an environmental consultant told council the property is clean enough for commercial use and the building requires only
minimal remediation.
City officials have said it will require about $10,000 to fix up the building, including the removal of asbestos and lead paint.
The feds are now working to complete the transfer of crown corporation land process and its protocol for the sale of a nationally
historic railroad sites, Harrold said.
The final purchase price is being withheld, pending the closure of the deal. Harrold has said the price is higher than the $50,000
included for the purchase in the 2009 city budget.
The city plans to offer the building for lease as a commercial business, with the intention of breathing new life into the city's
harbourfront.
Denis Langlois.
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