2009

19 September 2009 Local Officials Praise Deal Abandoned York Street station in Fredericton.     Frederiction New Brunswick - Fredericton residents welcomed the announcement that the York Street Train Station will be given new life as a liquor store.   Liz Burge, president of the Fredericton Heritage Trust, said she's thrilled that work on the train station will start over the next few weeks.   "I'm very pleased and relieved that this long saga is over," she said. "We are keen to see (the train station) restored at last."   Stew Valcour, vice-president of J.D. Irving Ltd., and Dana Clendenning, CEO of NB Liquor, revealed some of the details of the project Friday.   Once complete, the York Street location will be about 1,247 square metres - more than twice as large as the King Street liquor store that closed last year.   The building will retain many of its historical details and decor, including the original interior brick walls.   The city's public trail system will also be incorporated into the site's design.   Tim Scammell, president of Fredericton Friends of the Railway Inc., said he's glad the train station's exterior will be given a makeover.   "I'm absolutely delighted," Scammell said. "I had gotten to the point where I didn't care what was inside as long as we had the outside back."   It was also announced Friday that the project should be finished by next August.   Burge said she's impressed the people of Fredericton won't have to wait much longer for the restoration to be complete.   "I'm very pleased that we're not going to have to wait five more years for this to come together," she said.   Kevin Kilbride, the chairman of Enterprise Fredericton, said the decision to turn the train station into a liquor store is one that will benefit the community.   "It's a great use for the building," he said. "I especially like the fact that the building will be open to the public, so people will actually be able to see the inside."   Burge said this could be the first of many improvements to Fredericton's historical properties. She said she hopes to see further heritage restoration and expansion in the near future.   "Further development of the York heritage corridor is important," Burge said. "That area could become a real jewel in the city of Fredericton."   Alexandra Davis.

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