Charlottetown breaks ground on former Irving gas station project

Mayor Philip Brown, left, was joined by Premier Rob Lantz for a sod-turning ceremony at the site of the former Irving service station which will be turned into a new energy innovation hub. Photo by Vivian Ulinwa /The GuardianArticle contentThe City of Charlottetown has officially started construction on its new energy innovation hub, a project aimed at advancing clean energy technology and sustainability in the province.THIS CONTENT IS RESERVED FOR SUBSCRIBERS ONLY.Subscribe now to access this story and more:Unlimited access to the website and appExclusive access to premium content, newsletters and podcastsFull access to the e-Edition app, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment onEnjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalistsSupport local journalists and the next generation of journalistsSUBSCRIBE TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES.Subscribe or sign in to your account to continue your reading experience.Unlimited access to the website and appExclusive access to premium content, newsletters and podcastsFull access to the e-Edition app, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment onEnjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalistsSupport local journalists and the next generation of journalistsRegister to unlock more articles.Create an account or sign in to continue your reading experience.Access additional stories every monthShare your thoughts and join the conversation in our commenting communityGet email updates from your favourite authorsSign In or Create an AccountorArticle contentCity officials, provincial representatives and community members gathered on Euston Street on Nov. 14 for a sod-turning ceremony at the site of the former Irving service station which is also a designated heritage property listed on the Canadian Registry of Historic Places since 2009.Article contentArticle contentArticle contentMayor Philip Brown said the project has been four years in the making and represents co-operation between all levels of government and the private sector.Article content“This project is an example of three levels of government working together with a private company, urban energy, to bring it all together,” he told The Guardian.Article content“The concentration will be making our community, not just Charlottetown, but Prince Edward Island, a more sustainable and resilient place to live, work, play and raise a family.”Article content Wade Arsenault, left, CEO of Charlottetown Area Development Corporation, along with Mayor Philip Brown, Premier Rob Lantz, Tim Phelan of ARCHwork Studio and Fay El Hage of ARCHwork Studio, pose for a photo as the city officially announces the start of construction work at its new energy innovation hub. Photo by Vivian Ulinwa /The GuardianArticle contentFunding for the hub is shared by the city, the province, the federal government and Urban Energy. Brown said the province has committed $500,000, the federal government through ACOA is contributing another $500,000, and the city’s share is about $1 million. Irving oil provided the land, which he said is valued between $800,000 and $1 million.Article contentArticle content“That’s a $3 million project,” Brown said. “We pride ourselves in our heritage. We pride ourselves in the fact that we are the birthplace of the nation.”Article contentArticle contentThe tender for the first phase of construction is $1.6 million. The project includes a 650-square-foot addition to the existing building. Brown said the design aims to blend a modern expansion with the original structure.Article content“You don’t create fake history,” he said. “The building will flow into the historic Euston Street Irving station to blend in to create an energy innovation hub.”Article contentThe hub will also include office and storage space for the city’s Department of Environment and Sustainability. Brown said he expects the project to be finished in June or July.Article content“I’m pushing this date,” he said, laughing. “When I see work going on, I’ll put on my steel-toe boots and come on site with my hard hat to say, kick ’er up, let’s get it going.”