Quote:
Originally Posted by jonny golden
I'm not exactly sure when this program in Calgary started, I think 3-4 years ago. I remember reading that although it costs the city up front, it does create higher tax revenue going forward. And there are spin-off benefits as well. I just found this recent news report from last month with video. It's worth a look.
Unfortunately, I just don't think a plan like this (or anything resembling it) is on anyone's radar here - cities or provincial.
https://www.ctvnews.ca/calgary/article/c...sion-opens-as-dominion-civic-apartments/ |
I think it would be unfair to assume something like this is not on housing minister David Hickey's radar, he's quite a young, informed, and passionate guy on the subject of housing, and I'd be shocked to hear he's never heard of or looked into possibilities for residential conversion here in NB. The guy live in Waterloo Village, so he sees Brunswick Square every day.
I'd very much agree it's not on most people's radars at city hall, or something considered within the realm of possibility by many New Brunswickers, but I don't think many people would actually be opposed to the idea of the province purchasing a building like Brunswick Square Office Tower and paying private construction firms to redevelop the building as an asset owned by the New Brunswick Housing Corporation which could possibly be sold at a later date, if New Brunswick no longer finds itself in a housing crisis. I'm at least willing to take a stab at formulating a letter to send to David Hickey and other relevant figures with in the Holt Government or even Carney's government.
Would, of course, appreciate any feedback from those on here with experience approaching the provincial government to give the idea the best chance as possible to be taken up by government.
It would be a shame to see Brunswick Square to go on more than half vacant for the next decade as New Brunswick struggles to built itself out of this housing crisis.
The most prominent building in the Saint John skyline deserves a much more positive future
than that!