Cape Breton councillor launches petition to remove old post office in North Sydney

Some residents want the old post office in North Sydney, N.S., to be torn down.

A Cape Breton Regional Municipality councillor has launched a petition to remove an old post office in North Sydney, N.S.

Earlene MacMullin, who represents District 2 in the municipality, started the petition on Change.org, calling for the abandoned post office on Archibald Avenue to be replaced with a community space.

“This long-abandoned building has become a contaminated eyesore in the heart of our downtown core,” the petition reads. “The Federal Government sold the property despite knowledge of existing contaminants, and since that time, the structure has been left to deteriorate, posing potential health and safety risks while negatively impacting the appearance and vitality of our community.

“We urge all three levels of government to take immediate, coordinated action transforming this neglected site into a welcoming community hub would honor our town’s history, support local businesses, and demonstrate respect for those who served our country and community.”

In an interview with CTV News Atlantic, MacMullin said the building is full of contaminants like asbestos and people often break into it. She noted it’s difficult to tear the building down because ownership of the property keeps changing hands.

So far, the petition has more than 800 signatures.

-With files from CTV News Atlantic’s Ryan MacDonald

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