Co-written by Giovanni Paquin and Andrew Matheson FREDERICTON - Reconstruction has finally begun on Fredericton’s beloved yet long-neglected York Street Railway Station. The future of the dilapidated landmark has been the subject of much discussion in this city for years. The potential reuse of this site understandably spurred the imagination of many Frederictonians. Its heritage status, unique architecture and central location led to numerous proposals from the community over the years, including a new home for the local Royal Canadian Legion branch and a train museum. Train service to Fredericton ended in 1962 and in 1995 all CP rail lines to the city were ripped up. While the torn up rail lines have been transformed into one of the nation’s most extensive public trails networks (which we foresee discussing in more detail in future contributions), the same cannot be said for the trackless station, which was abandoned and has languished for more than a decade.

Co-written by Andrew Matheson and Giovanni Paquin Take me to the Plaza I gravitate to the people hangin around with their cigarettes and coffee in their hands at the centre of the town take me there... - Jonathan Richman FREDERICTON - Fredericton, a “city” of some 50,000, is the provincial capital of New Brunswick and has been the place we call home for a little more than a year (Giovanni) and six months (Andrew) respectively. As expats from Montreal and Toronto, we’ve definitely had to adjust to the change of pace in lifestyle in the city, but for the most part it’s been a positive experience. Fredericton has a relatively vibrant downtown filled with clusters of public buildings (Provincial Legislature, Lord Beaverbrook Art Gallery, Fredericton Playhouse, City Hall), boutique shops, cafes and some not-so-aesthetically pleasing office buildings. For the most part, the downtown is a walkable place, but it also has a tendency to cater to cars in order to survive, which often results in overlooking some of the more obvious opportunities to develop great public spaces. One such example includes “the Tannery”.