Abandoned train station needs to be revitalized, not condemned

Tag : developer powder

I find it fascinating that Confederation Park was a railway yard in1966 and then a park a year later. It's interesting that the mainCPR railway yard is now Douglas Fluhrer Park. Has that site everbeen tested, and was soil removed and replaced? Was the soil in thevicinity of Frontenac Village tested, removed and replaced? Icannot remember large quantities of soil being removed from theOHIP site, formerly the CN freight yard and shed.
Why should the station's railway yards be any different? Are theexplanations newer more stringent regulations, or the possibledisturbance of the soils for potential construction?
I do not accept the cries that the station is beyond repair. Thinkcarefully of the burned-out stone shell on the corner of Princessand Clergy streets, now a beautifully restored Tim Hortonsfranchise.
There is much talent in this community -in the high schools,community college, university and volunteers -that can be tapped tohelp restore the station. Unfortunately, because of the costs ofrestoration, many of those interested have chosen to retreat intosilence.
The media and citizens make much of the locale -an abandoned,burned-out station with a shredded plastic tarp on its roof and aweedy parking lot.
Blame for the appearance and condition of the site falls not onlythe CN, but the city, which has not been enforcing its own bylawrelating to the minimal maintenance of the property.
Citizens and the media have not taken their eyes off MontrealStreet. If they did, they would have observed that one Kingstonian,a developer raised in the Swamp Ward, has been responsible for therevitalization of the area through the addition of new housingcomplexes. Too bad that the buildings are not in drivers'sightlines. Next time, slow down and observe what has been done toimprove the setting.
What is needed is to save the building, clean up the property, anddevelop parkland in front of the buildings. Appearances and firstimpressions count.
I look at the station as an important approach and entranceway toRideau Heights to the north.
As long as the station site remains in its present condition, itgives the wrong impression, one of a neighbourhood that needscomplete reconstruction, an image the city has been striving tochange since the 1950s.
The station is of architectural and historical value. It is uniqueamong the Grand Trunk Stations built during the 1850s. It becamefar more important to the city than the Rideau Canada, which is nowa UNESCO world heritage site. It was, between 1856 and its closurein 1974, the chief entry point to the city.
What uses could a restored station have? I believe it could houseKingston's railway memorabilia, which has been preserved but is notdisplayed because there is no suitable site large enough for it.
The station could be used to tell the history of Kingston'sassociation with the railways in the 19th and early-20th centuries.
It could house a number of train models of Kingston in the steamage, when the waterfront was largely an industrial area.
It could become the office and information centre of the newlyestablished K&P Trail, the route of which will pass approximately100 yards to the west.
I don't accept the premise that the station is "too far" from themain tourist attractions of the city.
In that context, consider the distance to the prison museum orKingston Mills from downtown.
To let the station be destroyed would be short-sighted on the partof city council and citizens. The station can be restored.
Its restoration and beautification of its grounds can make it apositive entrance point to the Rideau Heights community.
Considering all the great work done to convert the Wally Elmer rinkinto an active social centre, there is hope for the north end.
To all, individuals and groups, take a positive approach, becomeinvolved, help save and restore our heritage.
¦George Dillion is a former member of theWhig-Standard'sCommunityEditorial Board.