The partitions of the previous Craig’s Automotive Service got here tumbling down on Feb. 5.
The former fuel station was out of service for many years when the City of Fredericton purchased it in July 2023 for $1.
The enterprise opened within the Forties and it ran till it closed within the Nineties and fell into disrepair.
The former station stood subsequent door to the Sunshine Diner, a small neighbourhood diner and comfort retailer co-owned by Louis Wilby.
“We’re kind of glad to see it go because it’s been a bit of an eyesore with broken windows and the building’s started to deteriorate,” he mentioned.
The metropolis got here to an settlement with the Province of New Brunswick to settle excellent property taxes when it purchased the positioning.
David Coon, New Brunswick’s Green Party chief and an area MLA, mentioned he heard complaints from various constituents and has fought for the town to demolish the constructing since he was elected in 2014.
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“It’s been a long journey but this is a good day,” he mentioned.
Plan to revive website
The demolition is a part of Fredericton’s plan to resell the land.
“It’s nice to see the site being remediated and reborn into something new,” mentioned Jason LeJeune, the chair of Fredericton’s financial vitality committee.
The metropolis should remediate the bottom because it housed giant underground tanks. LeJeune mentioned preliminary assessments counsel that potential contamination hasn’t unfold.
“It didn’t appear there was any migration off-site, which is a really positive sign,” he mentioned.
He mentioned the entire monetary toll of clearing up the positioning is unclear however the metropolis plans to get well prices when the land is bought.
LeJeune didn’t give a timeline however mentioned the plot can be bought after it was cleaned.
New constructing choices
The land is zoned for a business improvement and LeJeune mentioned that might embrace a mixed-use constructing with residences on higher flooring.
Coon mentioned he hopes the brand new constructing is one thing that may profit the neighborhood. Wilby mentioned he hopes it isn’t a excessive rise constructing or a nook retailer.
“I hope it fits into the neighbourhood and kind of reflects on Sunshine Gardens, which is a great area to raise children,” Wilby mentioned.
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‘A good day’: Dilapidated Fredericton gas station demolished with plans to revive site
