Statement from Mayor Mike O’Brien
As Mayor of the City of Fredericton, I have asked City staff to re-engage with the consulting team for Officers’ Square. Staff have been directed to review the revitalization plan for Officers’ Square with an eye to retaining as many of the large trees as possible. This will be done while also trying to implement the key elements of the new Square design identified by the public in the planning processes for the City Centre, the Garrison District, and Officers’ Square itself.
Staff’s re-engagement with the consulting team will commence immediately. I expect that staff will require two to four weeks to determine what options exist. As Mayor, I commit to bringing the results of this re-examination forward to Council in an open public session before a decision is made on how to proceed with the project.
The City of Fredericton acquired Officers’ Square, a cherished national historic site, from the Province in 2016. The City purchased the Square because of the special value of this space and concern that the Square is being loved to death with several infrastructure elements either failing or at end of life. The City values the history and heritage of the Square and its role as the City’s most important gathering place. The public planning processes dealing with the Square have always tried to balance the important heritage that this space represents, while acknowledging that the Square is heavily used and enjoyed by the public.
The public will see the Pointe Ste. Anne Boulevard infrastructure work continue. The scope of the project will be reduced to ensure that the large tree at the intersection with Queen Street is unimpacted. To address public concerns expressed around both heritage and archaeological permitting from the Province of New Brunswick, I want to confirm that the City received a Heritage Permit for the revitalization of Officers’ Square in 2016. Obtaining the Heritage Permit for the revitalization of the Square was a pre-condition of the City agreeing to purchase the property from the Province. With respect to provincial archaeological requirements, there is a professional archaeologist on-site full time. City staff have a long-standing and respectful working relationship with the staff of the Department of Tourism, Heritage, and Culture and these dedicated professionals have been working cooperatively on this file for many months.