CORNWALL, Ontario – In May 2006, City Council enacted a By-law designating Cornwall Street Railway Locomotive #17 as an artifact of Cultural (including architectural and/or historic) Heritage Value or Interest. Since the designation, little or no maintenance or repairs to the locomotive has occurred (a particular challenge is the need to manage lead-based paint that was used to coat the structure).
In response to a petition to restore and protect the locomotive, at its regular meeting of November 14, 2017, City Council approved a recommendation to expend $85,000 to refurbish Locomotive #17 at its current location. In addition, council requested that the public be engaged to seek feedback to consider relocation to a new preferred site. Funding associated with the potential relocation of the locomotive is additional to the $85,000 refurbishment estimate.
Locomotive #17 is currently located at the corner of Brookdale Avenue and Ninth Street. As part of the process to determine a potential new location for Locomotive #17, Council has directed that stakeholders and the general public be consulted. As a result of discussions with historical preservation stakeholders, two potential relocation sites have been submitted. Both suggested locations are in the vicinity of the original Cornwall Street Railway train yard. Other relocation sites proposed by the general public will also be considered.
Accordingly, the City is inviting the public to provide their comments by completing a short online survey.
Click here to access the survey
Upon compilation of results, City Administration will report back to Council with the recommended location to ensure all site conditions support repositioning. Final site selection shall be subject to Council approval.
