19 June 2010

Work Expected to Begin Soon on Train Station

Ruble from the first phase of the renovation being done to the train station on York Street can be seen
inside the fence where the station sits with its new roof.

Fredericton New Brunswick - Resumption of rehabilitation work on the York Street Train Station is imminent.
 
There's been no activity in the historic structure in recent months as the developers waited for federal approval to restore the front section of the old train station and integrate it into a new downtown NB Liquor store.
 
While the federal cabinet gave the OK for the work two months ago, that's contingent on approval from the Historic Sites and Monuments Board of Canada.
 
Project proponents are going back and forth with board officials, seeking the final seal of approval.
 
"We are hopeful of having a tender for the project issued within the next three weeks," said Geoff Britt, spokesman for J.D. Irving Ltd., the company that owns the station and is redeveloping it for the provincial liquor corporation.
 
"If things go according to plan we should have a contractor commencing work on site by the latter part of July," he said.
 
Britt said the timeline for completing the project will depend on when the project gets the green light. That responsibility sits with heritage experts, engineers, and architects with the federal government.
 
Julie Dompierre, the sites and monuments board's executive secretary, said things are moving behind the scenes.
 
"It's progressing, but we haven't provided sign-off on the plans yet," she said.
 
"We're still back-and-forthing."
 
The city expects the work to begin shortly.
 
"We're looking forward to it starting. We anticipate that it will be starting soon," said Fredericton Deputy Mayor Dan Keenan.
 
In an authorization issued 22 Apr 2010 and obtained from the Privy Council Office in Ottawa, the government gave Fredericton Railway Company the go-ahead to proceed with work on the languishing landmark.
 
The front portion of the historic station owned by J.D. Irving Ltd. will become a boutique wine store and training area for NB Liquor.
 
An extension will be added onto the back of the structure to house the rest of the liquor sales outlet.
 
The federal cabinet approved the work under a number of conditions.
 
The rehabilitation work is to consist of the rehabilitation of the original 1923 railway station, the partial demolition of the 1940s baggage wing, and the construction of a new building attached to the original railway station.
 
The rehabilitation work must also be completed in accordance with existing regulations for heritage sites.
 
Emergency work to replace the federally designated landmark's roof was completed over the winter.
 
City council gave final approval in late January for zoning changes that will allow for the construction of an NB Liquor outlet as an annex to the refurbished York Street train station.
 
J.D. Irving Ltd. has said the annex is necessary to make the refurbishment of the train station financially viable.
 
Shawn Berry.