Saint John Council has reversed its decision to tear down the old tourism centre at the Reversing Falls.
Earlier this year, the city decided it would be too expensive to restore the boarded-up building, which also includes a restaurant and observation deck, and voted to demolish it sometime this summer.
But the decision caused a backlash and a local businessman’s last-minute offer to purchase the property for $1 million has now caught the city’s attention.
“Council has had a change of heart,” says councillor Bill Farren. “Personally, I think there’s all kinds of value in it. I’ve always said the Falls should stay open until we have something to replace it. At this point we don’t have $5 to put towards something new.”
Businessman Max Kotlowski estimates the renovations will cost about $500,000.
“It will include all new siding, new interior, new carpet, new kitchen,” he says. “It will be a star again.”
Kotlowski says he’s prepared to start renovating the building this summer, if he gets the green light from the city, but says there is no time to get the restaurant back in operation this summer.
If the negotiations are successful, he says there is a chance part of the building, including the tourism information centre, could reopen to the public this summer.
With files from CTV Atlantic's Mike Cameron
