Heritage Awards recognize Saint John restoration projects

In the 25 years since he bought a farmhouse on Manawagonish Road in Saint John that was destined for demolition, Petr Smithas learned to do whatever it takes to restore the 200-year-old property.

"I knew we needed a new roof, new windowsills, new windows I became a carpenter, a mason, whatever, and basically restored the house back to its original shapeas a beautiful Georgianneoclassical building fromthe 1815-1820 period."

Last year, a new roof was on Smit'srestoration agenda. He restored the cedar roof on his home the Quintonfarmhouse with help from Kurtis and Al Fanjoy.

We did it like it should be done.- Petr Smit, heritage property owner

"It's a spectacular building, lots of history for Saint John and New Brunswick, and we did it like it should be done,"Smitsaid in an interview Tuesday onInformation Morning Saint John.

"I went to northern New Brunswick to buy the best possible shingles I could buy, and fortunately we got them."

Smit'scedar roof restoration was one of the honorees Monday night as Saint John's heritage development board presented its 2015 awards to recognize standoutrestoration and preservation projects by home and business owners.

Heritage Awards were also presented to:

• ElwoodsWood Lab, 91 Princess St., for commercial signage.
• 6 Queen Sq. South, for residential faadepreservation.
• 34 Orange St., for residentialfaadepreservation.
• 262 Prince William St., forresidentialfaadepreservation.
• 191 Princess St., forresidentialfaadepreservation.
• 114-116 WentworthSt., for slate roof restoration.
• Historica Development, for heritage leadership award

The eight award recipientswere among the 32 renovation projectsapproved for heritage grants from the board over the past year.

Bob Boyce, chair of the heritage board, says the projects recognized on Monday all benefit the city's character.

Our sense of place is a big part of Saint John's brand.- Bob Boyce, heritage board chair

"Our sense of place is a big part of Saint John's brand," he said.

"Its appeal is formed by those heritage buildings and it's aplace that's different from any other it's an old cityand we've got that archeological history lesson around us."

The city has designated 11 areas in Saint John as heritage conservation areas.

"We've got a remarkable resource," Boycesaid.

"I'd love to see us create more preservation areas to ensure other parts of the city survive for generations to come. We'll take it one step at a time."

Heritage grants are intended to assist owners to retain traditional materials and details of character-defining elements of their properties and, if necessary, replace them with new components, matching the original materials and profiles.

There is $120,000 available in the fund every year.

Boyce says the city is now welcoming applications for 2016 heritage projects.