City to seek out Economic Recovery funding for CN Heritage Rail station renovation plans

Council will receive an update on plans for renovation of
the Old CN/VIA Rail station tonight

Prince Rupert City Council will receive a report from the City's Transportation and Economic Development Manager Paul Vendittelli tonight, his document providing the city's hoped for bule print towards bringing the CN/VIA Rail Heritage station back to life on the city's waterfront.

Mr. Venditelli will make note of recently announced provincial and federal funding that has has been put in place towards COVID-19 recovery measures for communities across Canada.

With the City looking to use that source of funding towards its Rail Station revitalization program.

Provincial and Federal Funding has recently been announced to support the efforts of municipalities towards community economic recovery in light of COVID-19. Priority has been placed on ‘shovel ready’ projects that can be completed before a deadline of 2023. 

The CN Heritage Rail Station revitalization project fits within the ‘unique heritage infrastructure’ stream of this funding, while also meeting many of the other broader objectives of funding by providing an improved tourist amenity, supporting job creation and developing a new local destination.

The Report also provides an update on the city's preliminary work towards the revitalization with Mr. Venditellii noting that design work is currently underway by Boni Madison Architects, the successful bidder from a 2019 RFP for services.

The total projected cost of these developments is currently estimated at approximately $4 million, with detailed cost estimates currently under development by Boni Madison architects.

The amount of money that the City hopes to realize from the Federal/Provincial program is up to one million dollars. 

The report notes that remaining costs related to the project would come from Northern Capital Planning Grant reserves, along with staff seeking other additional opportunities for available grant funds.

The CN/Vial Heritage building Renovation is part of the city's ambitions for the Waterfront, which includes a relocation of the Airport Ferry to an area identified as Rupert's Landing, for now ...

City Council members will receive and review the report at tonight's Council Session, where they will consider a Resolution of support towards the grant application.

For a look at what else is up for discussion at their Session see our Council Preview here, a wider overview of past Council discussion themes is available here.