A group in Fredericton says it’s not giving up its fight to save a historic burned-out building following a vote from city council declining an offer of ownership. The militia arms warehouse building in the city’s downtown Historic Garrison District was heavily damaged by fire in March 2024. A man was convicted and sentenced for arson. The building, which is owned by the Department of National Defence (DND), is still standing but has been barricaded ever since. The windows and door in front of the building are boarded up, with the back end of the building and roof partially exposed. Fredericton city councillors voted Monday night on a staff report, considering a proposal from DND for the city to take control of the property. “It is important to note that DND is not proposing a direct transfer of the property to the city,” said the report. “Rather, the city would be required to participate in the federal divestment process. “Administration understands that this process involves multiple stages and consideration by other eligible parties. As a result, there is no certainty that participation would ultimately result in municipal ownership, nor is there certainty regarding timing.” City council voted unanimously to reject the offer, following a recommendation in the city staff report. The building, at nearly 200 years old, has served as a caretaker cottage, liquor store, military hospital and warehouse. It housed municipal offices when the fire happened. The militia arms warehouse building is one of the four remaining buildings, and the only wooden building, in the Garrison District, which was named a National Historic Site in 1960. Fredericton Heritage Trust has been pushing to save the building since the fire. Jeremy Mouat, president of Fredericton Heritage Trust, said the decision from council to reject the process of taking ownership was disappointing. “Nobody mentioned the H word: heritage. Or National Historic Site. Those things don’t appear to have made any impact on DND or the City of Fredericton,” said Mouat. “No mention of heritage, no exploration of alternatives, and I don’t want to be mean, but I would say there was a lack of imagination and commitment to contribute to the downtown by saving the building.” In a statement Tuesday, DND said no decision had been made on the building’s future. “The Department of National Defence is working on a way forward to determine options for the future of the building and site to support DND programs and needs,” said the statement. Mouat said Fredericton Heritage Trust would continue to advocate for saving the building. “I’m not 100 per cent sure how we’re going to do that,” said Mouat. “But we’re going to keep trying.” For more New Brunswick news, visit our dedicated provincial page.
