Old train station falls into disrepair

The state of the old York Street train station in Fredericton was on the agenda at a city committee meeting Tuesday. The building is falling apart.

City officials say the roof needs to be stabilized so it's safe. Alex Forbes, assistant director of development services for Fredericton, says the city will ask the Irving Group, which owns the building, to make the necessary repairs.

"The building is continually deteriorating," Forbes says. "We'd like to see some mitigative measures put in place by the Irvings to ensure the roof is stabilized, and the building is stabilized and safe for the public who might wish to walk around it."

From February 27, 2001: Historic restoration to proceed

Mary Keith, Irving spokeswoman, says the company hasn't yet been contacted by the city on the issue. She says the company is already doing some repairs to clean up the train station. Keith says they'll need more information before they commmit to doing more.

"I think we first need to understand the condition of the roof and the trusses and what sort of load the site is able to bear," says Keith.

"Structurally, we need to do a complete assessment and we also need to review the act to make sure we are in compliance. There are, as you know, very specific rules and regulations that apply around a heritage building like this and so we obviously have to be in compliance at the same time as we have to make sure the building makes it through the winter."

The city says it is planning to contact Irving as soon as possible.