Projects and Activities
Public Meeting Summary - June 2, 2005
YORK HOUSE AND THE YORK STREET HISTORIC CORRIDOR
Held June 2, 2005, Lord Beaverbrook Hotel, St. John Room 7:00 p.m.
Sponsored by the Fredericton Community Coalition (consisting of West Plat Community Association; Queen Square Neighbourhood Association; York-Sunbury Historical Society Inc.; Fredericton Arts and Learning Inc.; Fredericton Friends of the Railway; University Avenue-Waterloo Row Residents' Association; Fredericton Heritage Trust; Fredericton Arts Alliance)
Approximately 120 people attended, including presenters, community members and several members of the congregation of Brunswick Street Baptist Church. A letter of invitation to the whole church membership had been sent several days earlier.
The meeting was called to order at 7:10 p.m. by moderator Pat Flanagan.
Coalition participant Hart North outlined the purpose of the meeting as being: to explore the importance of the York Street Historic Corridor and some of its keystone buildings; to discuss the legacy of York House architect James C. Dumaresq; and to suggest possible architectural alternatives to the proposed demolition of York House that could meet the Brunswick Street Baptist Church's need for more space and at the same time address community concern over the possible loss of this historic building. He noted it was not a gathering to criticize the church; rather it was to exchange information and promote positive dialogue.
Historian Ted Jones highlighted York Street's importance to the development of Fredericton. The significance of the Hartt Boot and Shoe Factory, the Chestnut Canoe Factory, the York St. railway station(s), St. Paul's United Church(s) and York House (including a number of "firsts" in its life as the original Fredericton High School) all contributed to enriching the life of not only Mr. Jones as a child, but to many others and the spirit of the community. Mr. Jones concluded by urging that York House be retained (as has been done with the Normal School/Justice Building, Charlotte St. School, St. Dunstan's School) and suggested the vast alumni roster of Fredericton High School be informed of the demolition proposal and be asked to become involved.
Garry Shutlak, Senior Reference Archivist, Nova Scotia Archives, spoke on the life and career of York House architect James Charles Dumaresq. Dumaresq was born in Cape Breton in 1840 and at the age of twenty-five, started working for the architectural firm of Stirling and Dewar, one of the leading firms in Halifax at that time. In 1877, Dumaresq relocated to the City of Saint John, New Brunswick, operating a successful firm there rebuilding portions of the city destroyed by fire. While there, an important commission won by Dumaresq was the design work for the New Brunswick Provincial Legislature (1880). Mr. Shutlak stated that York House was designed by Dumaresq as a brick and freestone edifice (a school) with fourteen classrooms and a 30-foot spire. Many of the original architectural drawings for this building are on file in the Provincial Archives.
Although a Baptist Deacon, Dumaresq was the architect of choice of the Roman Catholic Church in Atlantic Canada. In addition, he designed several prominent buildings for the Bank of Montreal, photos of which were shown. Fredericton buildings designed by Dumaresq include St. James Anglican Church (1884), the Charlotte Street School (1884), Everett House, the provincial Legislature Assembly building (1880), Edgecombe House (former Lieutenant Governor's Office), the H.M. Clark Building (currently occupied by the Robert Simmonds store), St. Paul's Church (York & George St.) and the old Gleaner Building (now owned by the Greenarm Corporation, next to Phoenix Square).
Mr. Shutlak noted that J.C. Dumaresq and his work are described in the book "Architects of Nova Scotia" as well as in a 2005 book entitled "The Life and Times of J.C. Dumaresq" copies of which were shown. Dumaresq was a prolific and well-regarded architect whose family has provided architectural services from 1865 to the present time, a total of over 145 years. His grandson and great-grandson currently practice in Nova Scotia and New Brunswick.
Mr. Shutlak ended by explaining his special, personal interest in this family of architects. Mr. Shutlak's residence at the corner of Young Avenue and Inglis Street in Halifax was designed by J.C. Dumaresq for Mr. George Wright, a wealthy businessman of the time (1902). Mr. Wright lost his life during the sinking of the Titanic in 1912. The Wright building is one of many Dumaresq-designed residential buildings, which give Halifax its colour and distinctive historical character. A period of questions and answers ensued.
Area Councillor Stephen Kelly was to have spoken, however he was unable to attend and instead sent a detailed email outlining his support for retaining York House.
The next presenter was Ian Robertson, an architect in private practice (and President of Fredericton Heritage Trust). Mr. Robertson, in conjunction with architect Carl Smyth, had developed two conceptual floor plans, copies of which were shown to the meeting and are included here.
The designs showed how the new spaces (particularly for the contemporary worship space, common lobby adjacent the existing church, and accessible washrooms) required by Brunswick Street Baptist Church could be provided by using new infill construction on one or more of the large unoccupied areas of the church-owned property, while allowing a renovated York House to remain/serve other church purposes. It would be fully accessible by a new elevator and pedestrian bridges. The second plan had been developed after a discussion with Pastor Terry Atkinson, and responded to concerns of possible sound contamination from simultaneous services in adjacent traditional and contemporary worship spaces. Carl Smyth emphasized the importance of maintaining the image/identity of the existing church, and for any additions or new construction to be respectful of the existing church while at the same time portraying a readily-understood image of contemporary church function.
It was emphasized that these were only two of many possible alternative concepts available to the Church, done without having a detailed list of specific space or size requirements, and that it was up to the Congregation as to how they might proceed.
At this point moderator Pat Flanagan opened the floor to questions and comments.
An attendee noted that in some senses the exteriors of prominent buildings belong to everyone (the "visual city") hence the outpouring of community concern over the potential loss of York House as a part of Fredericton's streetscape.
Peter Pacey, a BSBC adherent, articulated his concern that the Church had absolute control over the future of this building and that no one should try and tell them what to do. However he also hoped that there could be a way for the community and the church to meet half-way and avoid unproductive relationships.
Another participant pointed out that an alternative scenario that had been developed for the Brunswick Street Baptist Church for the same cost as the demolition/big box proposal had been discarded without proper examination. Ian Robertson responded that he did not know the details of the previous architectural alternative, but understood that it had involved primarily a cost analysis for the complete interior renovation of York House to modern standards for use as offices, meeting rooms and classrooms and for the construction of new "infill" space for contemporary worship services, accessible washrooms and a large common lobby/gathering space to be shared or connected to the existing church. He also believed that the roughly $100,000 - 150,000 estimated cost of demolishing York House could go a long way towards its renovation to modern standards.
There was a question pertaining to possible alternative uses for York House; would the Church entertain other uses such as housing? Ian Robertson stated that York House belongs to the Church and that is their decision, but that he understood they wanted to maintain a downtown presence, and that the City of Fredericton would likely be open to possible rezoning requirements to allow for other uses on the site.
Two participants noted that in various countries they have visited, many heritage buildings are integrated into the functions and sites of contemporary buildings, thus showing strong links between the past and the present, and leaving a richer architectural legacy for future generations. Reference was made to several old building conversions in Fredericton.
Moderator Pat Flanagan suggested that the York House issue has perhaps reached a turning point, evolving from one of confrontation to one of constructive dialogue between pro- and anti-demolition forces within the community.
The meeting adjourned shortly after 9:00 p.m. Those interested in receiving more information from the Coalition were asked to sign their names on a sheet.
For more information, please contact the Fredericton Heritage Trust:
posted by FHT News and Events editor at June 10, 2005 05:08 PM