A heritage preservation advocate is hoping a historic downtown Fredericton constructing is spared of a destiny much like a few of the residents who as soon as occupied it, following its latest sale to a non-public actual property firm.
As soon as the location of public executions, the previous York County jail was bought in March by a numbered firm registered to Wei Liu, who additionally owns greater than a dozen different industrial and residential properties all through Fredericton.
“In the event that they’re trying to lease the constructing, hopefully that signifies that they’re giving a while and consideration to what the the longer term use shall be,” mentioned Ian Robertson, a director with Fredericton Heritage Belief.
“And hopefully, not like maybe a few of the the previous inmates of the jail who might have obtained life sentences and even demise sentences, that this constructing could have a keep of execution, and dwell to see one other day for a lot of, a few years.”
A Fredericton actual property firm has bought the previous York County jail for $800,000 and has listed it for hire for $8,500 monthly.
Constructed in 1842, the constructing on Brunswick Road, close to the Boyce Farmers Market, served as a jail till 1996 however remained steeped in notoriety for being the location of public executions — the final of which occurred in 1949, with a double-hanging.
Science East moved into the constructing in 1999, changing the cells and a eating corridor into places of work and exhibit areas, the place it provided science schooling programming till early final yr. Then the group bumped into monetary challenges.
It nonetheless operates and not using a science centre, providing bookings for varsity workshops and academic outreach occasions, based on Science East’s web site.
The previous jail was designated a provincial heritage constructing in 2003.
Listed for $1.2M, bought for $800K
Whereas the constructing was initially listed on the market for $1.2 million, provincial property data present Liu’s numbered firm bought it for $800,000 in March.
New Brunswick’s company affairs registry exhibits the numbered firm controls Sunfield Property, which has since listed the constructing for hire on its web site for $8,500 monthly.
Based on the itemizing, permitted makes use of embrace a daycare, retail, workplace, or restaurant throughout the constructing’s 10,000 square-foot flooring plan.
Pictures shared within the itemizing counsel little to no adjustments have been made to the inside structure of the constructing since Science East moved out, with the group’s branding and gear nonetheless seen in some photos.
CBC Information requested an interview with Liu about his plans for the constructing however didn’t obtain a response.
Repealing designation doable, says heritage advocate
The constructing is described as “pure Georgian practical structure,” in a profile of the previous jail by the Canadian Register of Historic Locations, which is run by Parks Canada.
Designed by architect Thomas Smith, it was constructed by native contractor Andrew Blair primarily utilizing gray granite extracted from the Spoon Island quarry close to Hampstead in southern New Brunswick.
Whereas Robertson finds some consolation figuring out the constructing has a provincial heritage designation, he mentioned the brand new proprietor may request that it’s repealed.
“And typically that is needed sadly, however it’s type of one step down the street, I assume. That places a property in type of a questionable or delicate scenario by way of not having sure requirements in place that needs to be maintained.”
Based on the Heritage Conservation Act, the proprietor of a provincially designated constructing should obtain a allow from the minister of tourism, heritage and tradition earlier than making any alterations that change its character-defining options.
Removing of a heritage designation would require a sign-off from the minister.
CBC Information requested the division if the brand new proprietor has utilized to both alter the constructing or repeal its designation.
“Thus far, the Division has not obtained any inquiries or requests to repeal the designation,” spokesperson Jean Bertin mentioned in an electronic mail.
“One Provincial Heritage Allow has been issued to the brand new proprietor to put in reproduction jail bars on the entrance home windows in a traditionally applicable method.”
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