2 January 2010

Train Station Will Return to its Former Glory This Summer

Tim Scammell, Fredericton Friends of the Railway member, stands in front of the York
Street train station.

Frederiction New Brunswick - There's a sense of excitement as work progresses at the York Street train station.
 
The Fredericton landmark is getting a new roof and, by summer, the former train station that was once a focal point in the city will have a new lease on life.
 
The fenced-off structure that was a source of community consternation over its state of neglect is becoming part of a new liquor store.
 
"I was initially alarmed to see it like this," said Tim Scammell, a longtime member of the Fredericton Friends of the Railway who has been inside the station.
 
"They're down to the dirt. All the wood inside is gone. They've got a little mini-excavator in there."
 
But while that may have been shocking, he said, he understands and appreciates the work is necessary to rejuvenate the building.
 
"I know what's coming. I know why they did it and I know they have to do it," said the New Maryland resident and village councillor.
 
Scammell has been making a daily trek to the station in recent weeks, observing the work and recording the progress with his camera.
 
Sections of the roof have been removed, revealing graffiti on the walls.
 
A brick column was taken down and put back, and parts of the front roofing sit piled to the side of the worksite.
 
But 2010 will be a major year for the structure that was listed among the 10 most-endangered heritage sites in Canada in 2006.
 
Mayor Brad Woodside was vocal in calling for a conclusion to the station's misery.
 
He repeatedly called for the building to be overhauled or put to the wrecking ball.
 
Woodside, who rode to the station as a boy from Fredericton Junction, is pleased it didn't come to the latter.
 
"The good news is something is being done. It's been an eyesore. It was offensive to people who live nearby and those who had to drive by."
 
He's looking forward to cutting the ribbon when the liquor store opens, probably in late summer.
 
"It will be a pleasure to step inside," said the mayor.
 
"It has been very exciting for a lot of people seeing the crews in there doing work, reinforcing the building and getting it ready.
 
J.D. Irving Ltd. struck a deal earlier this fall with NB Liquor for a 20-year lease at the location.
 
It will allow the front portion of the station built in 1923 to be retained and refurbished, while the freight storage shed will be demolished and replaced by a liquor store.
 
The Historic Sites and Monuments Board of Canada, which must approve work done to the federally protected site, gave permission for the roof work.
 
Heritage experts, engineers and architects with the federal government will review the final proposal for the building before it's approved by the federal cabinet.
 
Scammell said he's keeping a close eye on the work.
 
"I had an interesting little scare the other day. I got there, and I noticed the red cross from the front was gone."
 
He said he looked all around but he couldn't find it, so he asked the workers.
 
"It's safe, it's safe," they told him, pointing to the spot they had stored the cross.
 
"It's been put back up now. It almost looks like new," Scammell said.
 
"I think 2010 is going to be the final resolution. It will be sorted out, it will be done and it will be nice. It's going to be a new beginning."
 
Shawn Berry.