EAST DIVISION’S NEW HOME
Former Canada Post office transferred to CBRM for new police station
Former Canada Post office transferred to CBRM for new police station.
The future site of the Cape Breton Regional Police East Division office is now in the hands of the Cape Breton Regional Municipality.
Glace Bay’s former Canada Post office on Main Street remains the preferred site for the proposed police station and it will be handed over to the CBRM from the federal government for the ceremonial sum of $1.
“Thankfully, through MP (Rodger) Cuzner’s efforts the exchange for the token dollar is really very helpful to keep the project costs down for a new police station,” said Mayor Cecil Clarke.
“As far as governments go, this was light speed in terms of a project request.”
Earlier this summer, the site had been identified as a preferred location for the new police station.
Clarke then met with Cuzner to see if the federal government would be willing to transfer the building to the municipality so that it could be brought back for council consideration.
Cuzner said the case made to Canada Post for the transfer noted that the likelihood of the building being sold to other interests was slim.
“Trying to repurpose a building like that in Glace Bay, it would have been difficult. I’m very happy Canada Post saw the merit in working with the CBRM,” the MP for Cape Breton-Canso said during an interview from Ottawa.
“They’ve identified that space as a prime space but it really would have been a challenge to find money for the purchase and
then for demolition as well, so I’m really happy we were able to get this done.”
The former Canada Post building — built in 1960 — was put on the market with Partners Global Corporate Real Estate in 2012 and was recently listed on a “to be negotiated” basis.
When it was identified as the preferred side for the new police station, municipal officials noted that different entrance and exit points and access were among the location’s important features.
A road behind the property that provides access to McKeen Street was also seen as valuable to future construction.
“I really like what mayor and council are looking at as far as giving the Glace Bay downtown core a shot in the arm,” said Cuzner.
The purchase and sale agreement for the property will be on the docket for today’s general committee meeting.
The mayor said CBRM building officials have done an assessment of the property and are working through demolition
costs and considerations.
He has been advised that Canada Post would have done an environmental assessment on the property when it was decommissioned.
“I believe council will want to know, as everybody else would, in taking over a facility that was surplus by the federal government through Canada Post that the environmental aspects are considered,” Clarke said.
The estimated cost of the new police building is $2 million to $2.5 million.
During a CBRM council meeting in February, the 2017-18 capital budget included $625,000 for plans, land purchase and the construction start of the new police station.
Clarke said demolition of the former post office and site preparation will be the next phase in development.
“It’s all coming together but this particular piece happened very quickly. That’s why it is on our docket sooner than expected.”
“Trying to repurpose a building like that in Glace Bay, it would have been difficult. I’m very happy Canada Post saw the merit in working with the CBRM.’’
MP Rodger Cuzner