To designate, or not to designate.
That was the question for St. John’s city council yesterday on one of the most contentious and closest votes in a while.
They were being asked whether to grant a century-old block of Water Street heritage designation, thereby saving it from the wrecking ball.
But council took a pass, by a vote of 6-5, paving the way for demolition and redevelopment of the site.
Martin-Royal Hardware and Butler-Withers on Water Street. (Courtesy City of St. John’s.)
No one disputes that the block from 157 to 163, which dates to the late 1890s, is in rough shape.
But the thought of losing more of the history and architecture on “the oldest street in North America,” made five councilors nervous enough to seek a deferral.
However, six councillors, including Deputy Mayor Ron Ellsworth, voted to demolish, warning it would be a missed opportunity from a proven developer.
“They also made it very clear: If council is not on side with this plan, they’ll take their enthusiasm somewhere else,” said Ellsworth.
“This is a large undertaking, this is a multi-year plan. This is not going to walk in today and be done tomorrow. This is going to be a major investment by local investors to revitalize the buildings, put back new buildings, and to allow them to be operated in today’s economical climate of what’s needed.”
The city’s own Built Heritage Experts Panel recommended council let the buildings go, despite them exceeding the minimum criteria for heritage designation.
There has also been assurance that the historic facade and unique tunnel from Water Street to the harborfront will be incorporated into the future plans for the site.
