City set to turn over old VIA station to private investors

The landscape at Waterfront Park will soon see some remodeling as the City is close to striking a deal with private investors to take over the old VIA Rail station on the waterfront and redevelop it apparently for office and retail use.

The long time historic building on the edge of the harbour has become a run down shell of what it once was, a bit of an eyesore in the midst of the ongoing redevelopment of the area.

The plan as outlined by Mayor Herb Pond to the Daily News is that the city will sell the old building to an undisclosed as yet third party who will renovate and reinvigorate the building, turning the asset back over to the city in fifty years.

One thing however seems quite clear, that despite the wishes of many to have VIA Rail return to its original terminal building on the waterfront, the prospect of that happening seems further and further away at the moment.

While many plans have been bounced around over its potential use over the years, it was a project that frequently never seemed to get off the drawing board, with the latest announcement on its future, there may yet be life in the old bricks yet.

The Daily featured some more background on the potential sale in last Friday's paper.

Waterfront landmark changing hands
BY CARLA WINTERSGILL
The Daily News
Friday, June 13, 2008

Page three

New owners could soon be sprucing up an old city landmark.
The city of Prince Rupert is in the process of selling the old brick Via Rail building down by Kwinitsa Station.

"There is an interested party and there will be some advertising soon," said Mayor Herb Pond. "We never dispose of city property in any way without making it known to the public, so there will be advertising that will outline the arrangement that the city is contemplating."

The city originally acquired the building from the federal government and was looking for commercial tenants who would shoulder the maintenance costs. The city has received a number of proposals over the years but had no previous intention of selling the property.

"We were approached by a party and we've been discussing with them what the city's needs would be and what needs to be looked after and we think we've come up with an arrangement that works for both parties," said Pond. "Now it's time to see what the public thinks."

The city has struck an unusual deal with the purchasers, which would see the property returned to the city after 50 years. The Via Rail building needs some serious upgrading, which the new owners will provide.

"It's long been a desire of the community to see that building brought back to life. If we just leave it unoccupied it will continue to deteriorate and it's such an important part of Prince Rupert's history," said Pond. "If we were to try to do it with public money it would be an extremely burdensome process on the tax payer. It needs a whole lot of work and it's really an area where private industry can do the job."

Although Pond cannot yet disclosed who the buyer of the building is, he was able to confirm the intended use. The owners plan to turn the building into office and retail space.

The deal has not yet been finalized. First there is a two-week period with advertisements to inform the public of council's plans, and then there will be a vote held in an open council meeting.