Residents look to repurpose Fredericton justice building
For nearly 100 years the justice building, and former Provincial Normal School has been a prominent feature in downtown Fredericton, N.B.
History enthusiasts are preparing for its next life, with a new justice building set to be built in the capital by 2025.
"It's on peoples' minds, that's the interesting thing, what's going to happen to that magnificent building and how can it best be used to the benefit of the community at large," said David Coon, MLA for Fredericton South.
The building has been in a state of decay for years. Coon wants to start discussions now about its future.
"I wanted to get ahead of the ball before the department of transportation and infrastructure, before the province starts looking at it and themselves really seriously, it's always better to be out ahead of time,” said Coon.
“We saw what happened with the centennial building and it's still sitting there empty and looking derelict.”
The building is a Canadian National Historic Site, as well as a Province of New Brunswick Heritage Site.
"To me it's a great opportunity, it's an opportunity to reimagine what's happening downtown,” said Jeremy Mouat, the President of Fredericton Heritage Trust.
“Repurposing old buildings downtown is something Fredericton does, it’s just how can one do it effectively, economically.”
For now, the focus is to find a new purpose for the building before it falls out of use.
"This type of building lends itself to any number of uses because it's been a public space, it's fully sprinkled, it has a lot of ways you can open up walls,” said Tom Morrison of Heritage Engineering.
“There's a lot of ways you can adjust things to take advantage of what's there."
No official plans have yet been made for the building. Coon is hosting a virtual panel discussion Wednesday evening and hoping his constituents will have ideas to preserve this historic landmark.
"Some people would like to see it become a hub for social enterprise in the community something that could house non-profits and community groups," said Coon.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Trump on Day 1: Begin deportation push, pardon Jan. 6 rioters and make his criminal cases vanish
Donald Trump has said he wouldn't be a dictator — 'except for Day 1.' According to his own statements, he's got a lot to do on that first day in the White House.
'I was called;' Murray Sinclair's life and legacy honoured at emotional memorial
Applause erupted over and over at the Canada Life Centre in Winnipeg Sunday as the son of Murray Sinclair, a former judge, senator and chair of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission into residential schools, spoke about his father.
Children's book by chef Jamie Oliver withdrawn after criticism from Indigenous Australians
A children's book written by British celebrity chef Jamie Oliver has been withdrawn from sale after it was criticized for causing offense to Indigenous Australians.
Montreal dockworkers reject deal with lockout to begin
The union representing some 1,200 dockworkers at the Port of Montreal has overwhelmingly rejected a deal with their employers association.
Man shot by police in Hamilton has died, victim did 'not appear' to fire a gun, says SIU
A man who was critically injured in a police-involved shooting in Hamilton late Sunday afternoon has died in hospital, says the province’s police watchdog.
Liberals to face third test in federal byelection in British Columbia next month
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announced voters in Cloverdale—Langley City will pick their next member of Parliament on Dec. 16.
Elon Musk exerts deepening influence on Donald Trump's presidential transition
Donald Trump's Mar-a-Lago club has been brimming in the last 48 hours with two kinds of people: those angling for a job in the president-elect’s incoming administration, and those trying to influence him into hiring their picks for the top spots.
25 monkeys recovered after dozens escape in South Carolina. Others 'jumping back and forth' near research facility
Tenty-five of the 43 monkeys bred for medical research that escaped a compound in South Carolina have been recovered, officials said Sunday.
Abuse, harassment and suicide: Report finds anti-Black racism exists at highest levels of federal government
A government-funded report released to CTV News highlights 'systemic racism' against dozens of Black executives within the federal public service, including allegations of abuse, violence and harassment that, in some instances, led to suicide.