SOMBA K'E/YELLOWKNIFE - The first federal building built in Yellowknife's "new town" back in 1956 was finally given the heritage plaque that many Yellowknifers feel it deserves on Feb. 12.

Standing proudly by the heritage plaque affixed on the Canada Post building on Franklin Ave. on Feb. 12 are Mayor Gord Van Tighem, left, Margaret Gorman, Darrell Beaulieu, the CEO of Denendeh Development Corporation, Sandra McDaniel, and Les Rocher, president of Homes North. - Tim Edwards/NNSL photo

"It's great that it's finally designated as a heritage site. It's the first one in the new town," said former city councillor Kevin O'Reilly.

The heritage designation flags the property for development requests to ensure the building is preserved.

"The heritage committee assesses the development and the request comes through council," said Coun. Mark Heyck.

"On the flip side, there are incentives for people who are doing sympathetic renovations to heritage buildings. If they do it in such a way that it doesn't (take away) from the heritage value, those improvements are not taxed," said Heyck, adding that there are also city grants available to restore official heritage buildings.

City council designated the building as a heritage site in 2007, but Public Works Canada, the former owner, steadfastly denied them the pleasure of having a plaque put on the building.

A Public Works letter sent to city council in 2007 stated: "Because it's a federal facility, a third-party plaque should not be affixed to the building."

Heyck said the sale of the building to Denendeh Development Corporation and Homes North in 2009 cut away the red tape that prevented the city from affixing the plaque.

"We approached them about the possibility of putting a plaque up and they were more than happy to accommodate it," said Heyck.

On the plaque is a picture of the post office from 1965, which depicts the building in a much older, more sparse Yellowknife. The picture was found by former employee Muriel Eagle when she was cleaning the upper floor of the building.

"This building's been standing here for a lot of years," said Eagle, who worked at the post office from 1971 to 2004 - when she retired. She said although she enjoyed the work, that wasn't what she missed most about the job.

"I miss the people and the public - not so much the work," said Eagle.

O'Reilly recalled a little bit of history after the plaque was unveiled.

"It was one of the first buildings in the new town," said O'Reilly.

"It was the first courthouse in Yellowknife. I'm sure there were lots of famous trials and things during the day that took place on the second floor."

Coun. Amanda Mallon said she was happy to see the building finally recognized as a heritage building.

"I think it's wonderful the post office is being acknowledged. I remember when I was a young woman in this town, this is where you went to find everybody," said Mallon.