Fix station or knock it down: Fredericton mayor

Fredericton Mayor Brad Woodside has thrown down the gauntlet yet again over the dilapidated York Street Train Station in the city's downtown.

Brad Woodside called on J.D. Irving Ltd. Friday to either repair the derelict historic site, or tear it down.

The Canadian Pacific Railway built the station 85 years ago, and J.D. Irving acquired it when the company bought the rail lines east of Montreal in 1995.

Since then, the station has been going downhill, even though Parks Canadas Historic Sites and Monuments Board designated it as a heritage site in 1991.

The mayor is fed up with the neglect.

"The people of Fredericton no longer consider it a national historical treasure. It's more a national disgrace," Woodside said Friday.

"They're propping it up now with two-by-fours, waiting for another winter to see how long it's going to survive. Every year that passes, it just deteriorates, becomes more dilapidated, and it's an eyesore. It's a disgrace. And the option now is either fix it or get it out of there."

In October 2007, Woodside pleaded with J.D. Irving to fix up the crumbling building before it was beyond salvation. Nothing has been done.

The station is in sad shape with its roof caved in and its wallscovered in graffiti and pigeon droppings. Heritage Canada has recognized the station as one of the Top 10 Most Endangered Places in Canada.

Irving spokeswoman Mary Keith said Friday that the company is prohibited from demolishing the station because of its heritage designation.

But, she said, the company is continuing "to pursue a viable commercial development to underwrite the estimated $2 million cost to restore the railway station."

The company came close to selling the station three times, she said.

Irving recently demolished an industrial building on the same propertyin order to improve the chances of selling the station, Keith said, and has also looked into the idea of selling the station to a non-profit group for $1.

Tim Scammell, past president of Fredericton Friends of the Railway, said his group wants the station to be saved.

"I have been in touch with the Irvings, as well, and they promised me that they are doing everything they can. They haven't given up on this," Scammell said.

"Unfortunately, they can't tear it down, as Mr. Woodside is saying. But something should be done."

Last October, Scammell suggested an elected official should step in and make the company repair the station or fix the building and send the bill to Irving.

Woodside said then that the city cannot legally touch the station because it falls under theCanada TransportationAct.