A city councillor in Dartmouth, N.S., is making a case to designate one of the city’s historic post offices as a heritage building to protect it from potential demolition.
Located at 52 Queen St., in downtown Dartmouth, the 100-year-old post office is a “prominent civic landmark in the community,” said Councillor Sam Austin.
Late last year, Canada Post announced its plan to move out of the historic building and into a new location in nearby King’s Wharf, an urban waterfront across from the Halifax Harbour.
For reference, this year’s BNAPEX – the annual convention of the British North America Philatelic Society – will be held just around the corner at the DoubleTree by Hilton on 101 Wyse Rd.
Austin’s motion, which was recently approved by city council, stems from fears a future buyer would flatten the historic post office for further development. While some locals are suggesting a municipal museum be established on the site, the city has no plans to buy the property.
With Austin’s motion approved, city staff will now research the property’s history and prepare a report for the Heritage Advisory Committee—a process that could take until the end of 2020 to finalize.