27 January 2010

Train Station Restoration Project Gets Nod from City

Artist's painting of the York Street station in Fredericton, New Brunswick.

Fredericton New Brunswick - City council has given final approval for zoning changes that will allow for the construction of an NB Liquor outlet as an annex to the renovated York Street train station.
 
The annex is necessary to make the refurbishment of the train station viable.
 
The Crown corporation has inked a 20-year lease for a liquor store at the site owned by J.D. Irving Ltd.
 
Work has already begun to renovate the train station's waiting area, which will become a boutique wine store and provide training and meeting space for the liquor corporation.
 
NB Liquor will then construct an annex to the station for a stand-alone liquor outlet.
 
Mayor Brad Woodside, who long lobbied for the historic train station to be repaired or razed, said he's happy to see the progress being made on the site.
 
"I'm delighted that the dilapidated building is being attended to," he said this week after council approved the zoning change.
 
Woodside and Coun. Mike O'Brien recused themselves from deliberations.
 
Woodside had to because he wasn't at the first two readings of the rezoning. O'Brien did so because he's a vice-president at the liquor corporation.
 
Coun. Scott McConaghy welcomed the work done to date.
 
"This is a long-anticipated restoration to an area that is near and dear to many people's hearts," McConaghy said.
 
Coun. Stephen Chase commended the developers, while deputy mayor Bruce Grandy thanked the mayor for his efforts over the years to press for a resolution.
 
Grandy and Coun. Jordan Graham also thanked city employees for their work behind the scenes.
 
"We would be remiss if we didn't acknowledge their hard work," Graham said.
 
The front portion of the station built in 1923 is being retained and refurbished, while the freight storage shed will be demolished and replaced by a new building.
 
The Historic Sites and Monuments Board of Canada must approve work done to the federally protected site.
 
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.
 
Shawn Berry.