Province stepping in to take ownership of abandoned Bathurst mill site

The provincial government says it plans to take ownership of the abandoned site of a former mill in downtown Bathurst.

The announcement was made Thursday after a tax sale for three lots formerly owned by Smurfit-Stone elicited no bids. The site has remained untouched since the company shut down in 2005.

"The properties include parcels of land north of Bridge Street, south of Bridge Street, and west of the Nepisiguit River," the province said in a news release.

The property taxes owed total more than $2.5 million.

WATCH | Bathurst mayor says city already has 'a proposal of possibilities'

Bathurst Mayor anxious to work with province to redevelop former mill site

5 months ago

Duration 1:15

Mayor Kim Chamberlain is ready to partner with provincial government and eventually with developers to reimagine old Smurfit-Stone waterfront property.

Bathurst Mayor Kim Chamberlain welcomes the province's decision, calling it the first step in redeveloping the area and beautifying part of the city that has been an eyesore.

"There's so much potential and possibilities for the mill site. It's pure waterfront property," she said, adding that she hopes it will become an extension of the downtown core once developed. "The sky's the limit on that one right now."

Many residents see the former mill site as a blight on the city's waterfront, which has been rejuvenated throughout the years.

The City of Bathurst has submitted a development proposal to the Regional Development Corporation for the property.

While neither the municipality nor the province are providing details, the province said it is "pleased to support them with their plans."

The province will not become the official owner of the property until a 30-day redemption period has passed, giving the previous owner a chance to pay the outstanding property taxes.

WATCH | MLA René Legacy says 1st step should be securing or demolishing dangerous buildings:

Province to take over abandoned mill site in Bathurst

5 months ago

Duration 1:03

N.B. government steps in with $2.5 million as no bidders raise hands at tax sale on lots formerly owned by Smurfit-Stone.

Liberal MLA René Legacy, who represents the Bathurst West-Beresford riding, said longstanding hazards on the property need to be addressed. 

"There is still a significant public safety issue there," he said. "I can see some type of work being done around securing the buildings or demolishing the most dangerous structures."

Dealing with the towering cement silos and other decaying structures on the property could cost the province up to $12 million, according to past estimates.

The province said it plans to demolish the remaining structures and dispose of the debris.

• Abandoned former mill site in Bathurst set to be auctioned off in tax sale

The property has changed hands multiple times since Smurfit-Stone shut down.

In 2010, a Canadian subsidiary of Green Investment Group bought the property and vowed to perform an environmental cleanup to prevent contamination of the neigbouring communities.

Six years later, a judge ruled the group had failed to keep its promise and issued a fine. The property was eventually sold to Raymond Robichaud, a Bouctouche man who also promised to clean up the site but died in 2022. 

The required environmental work was never completed.

Chamberlain said she hopes the province will help develop the property's potential, which she and other residents have seen for a long time.

"I think they are going to be extremely happy to hear this great news," she said. "Now, let's move on to a new legacy for that piece of land."