A national heritage preservation group is criticizing a decision by officials in St. Stephen, N.B. to demolish the former town hall.

The building has been a fixture on the town’s main street since the 1880s. It was the community post office before it became the town hall and it has since been recognized as having national historic significance.

However, it has sat vacant and without heat for two years, and now town officials say it is beyond repair and has to come down.

“The structural integrity of that building has deteriorated immensely over the past several years,” says St. Stephen Mayor John Quartermain. “It is to the point now where we have to do something immediately.”

Quartermain says there is mould and asbestos inside and it would cost millions to restore.

Also among the issues is the foundation, which is just a stone’s throw away from the St. Croix River; when the tide comes up the basement often floods.

However, despite the issues with the building, the decision to demolish it came as a surprise to some residents.

“There is a sadness. You can’t help but be sad. And I know some people will say ‘oh bulldoze it and let’s build something modern.’ It’s not that simple,” says resident John Gardner.

The National Trust for Canada, a heritage preservation group, is also speaking out against the demolition.

“St. Stephen’s elected officials were shortsighted in abandoning this nationally significant building to the elements in 2007. Their actions amount to demolition by neglect,” said spokesperson Natalie Bull in a statement. “This building should be treated as an opportunity, not a liability – a landmark, not a landfill.”

But not everyone is against demolition. Kevin Stuart, who owns a business across the street, believes something has to be done about the crumbling building in the centre of town.

“I think this would be a good time for a new development,” says Stuart. “I don’t think anybody wants to see it come down. I just don’t think there’s any alternative at this point.”

A request for bids to demolish the building will go out this week. It is not known when that demolition work would begin.

With files from CTV Atlantic's Mike Cameron