Queen's Square Study Recommends Areas for Heritage Designation
Fredericton (October 30, 2008) - The City of Fredericton's draft Queen's Square Heritage Designation Study is now available for public review and comment. Released as part of an open house to explain the study, the report provides a process that is intended to expand the St. Anne's Point Heritage Preservation Area to include parts of the Queen's Square neighbourhood.
"Staff carried out a thorough review of the properties in the area," said Coun. Dan Keenan. "The study provides a framework to preserve and protect the lands, buildings and structures of historic or architectural significance in the Queen's Square neighbourhood."
As part of the study, Statements of Significance were prepared for each property in the Queen's Square neighbourhood. This included a brief description of each property, an identification of its key heritage values and a list of character-defining elements.
Each property was then evaluated on the basis of the following attributes: architecture, history, environment, usability, and integrity / present condition. The form developed for this evaluation is based on ones successfully used in other municipalities, particularly Ontario and Western Canada.
Individual property evaluations were then plotted on a neighbourhood map, clearly identifying their contributing factors to the heritage study. Individual properties were then grouped by block to arrive at priority areas for the designation process. A concentration of high priority properties can be found in the area bounded by George, St. John, Churchill Row, and Church.
The public will now have a chance to review and comment on the study. Staff will also start to notify and meet with property owners in this high priority area of the Queen's Square neighbourhood to determine the level of support for the designation. This will be followed by a property-owner survey and final recommendations to City Council.
"Heritage is an important component of the fabric of Fredericton," said Coun. Dan Keenan. "City Council really wants to hear from the public and the neighbourhood as we take this process forward."
The Queen's Square Neighbourhood study area comprises approximately ten blocks in Fredericton's east town plat bounded by Regent, George, Church and McLeod streets, and includes about 250 buildings. These structures are predominately residential buildings comprised of single-detached houses or small apartment buildings.
The draft study is available for viewing on the city's web site at www.fredericton.ca by clicking on the Queen's Square Heritage Study link. Comments on the study can be sent to heritageandculture@fredericton.ca. The public can also contact the City of Fredericton Heritage and Cultural Affairs Division at 460-2062 for more information.
-30-
Media Contact: Juan Estepa, Heritage and Cultural Affairs Manager, City of Fredericton, 460-2062.
