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Council Approves Final Offer to Buy York House
Fredericton (December 19, 2007) - City Council today approved an innovative and cooperative four-way offer to buy historic York House from the Brunswick Street Baptist Church and save it from demolition.
"This is council's and staff's gift to future generations in Fredericton," said Mayor Brad Woodside. "It's nothing short of a miracle that we were able to get this deal done and save this historic property from demolition."
The City's offer to purchase the three-storey 114-year-old red brick building at 193 York Street was accepted by the church's congregation last week.
In return for York House the City is acquiring the Knights of Columbus property at 357-359 George Street as well as properties at 358 and 362 Brunswick Street and will turn them over to the Church.
City council approved the purchase of the two privately-owned Brunswick Street properties for a total of $437,500. Council also agreed to build the Knights of Columbus a new $300,000 meeting hall in exchange for the Knights' George Street property. The new Knights building will be built at 170 Regent Street on land owned by the Province of New Brunswick and currently used for parking. The City will replace the displaced parking spots with city-owned parking places downtown. The Knights have already approved the deal with the City.
"We are grateful to the Province and the Knights of Columbus for their cooperation in allowing us put this offer to the Church together," said Mayor Woodside. "I'd also like to thank City staff who worked very hard to achieve what we believe is a win-win situation for all parties."
York House, which is currently vacant, was about to be demolished by the church last summer to make way for a new building containing offices, classrooms for Sunday School, and an expanded worship area.
The building was constructed in 1893 to house Fredericton High School and an elementary school. It has also been home to Teachers College classrooms, the City's public library, a Student Employment Centre and a Youth Hostel through the years. It was designed by James C. Dumaresq, architect of the New Brunswick Legislative Building. He also designed St. Paul's United Church and the Charlotte Street School.
The Brunswick Street Baptist Church purchased the property in 1965 for Sunday School classes and for use by various church organizations, renaming the building York House.
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Media Contact: John White, Communications, City of Fredericton 506-460-2227.
