[Dmajackson]

I do agree that exurban areas should be discussed on both threads since logically it affects both. So to make it clearer how about anything non-suburban, a.k.a "exurban" (For example in HRM anything outside of Waverly-Tantallon-Preston can be discussed here). Because of the shear size of the area covered in this thread some sort of organization, like putting the community name and province before an article, will help figure out where we are talking about...

Lets keep this thread going:

FORT LAWERENCE, NS:

New business for Fort Lawrence
RYAN ROSS
The Amherst Daily News

AMHERST - In a few months, people will be able to put their feet up at a new business in Fort Lawrence.

This fall, The Brick will open a new furniture store to fill the space left empty when Berry's Furniture Plus closed on Fort Lawrence Road.

Brian Purchase, one of the new store's co-owners, said there were issues with the power needed to run the store and it took time resolve them.

"Now that's straightened away and construction has begun."

The company will train most of the staff in New Glasgow and it gives them a big advantage to have employees ready when the store opens, Purchase said.

"That process has already begun."

Purchase said he has been to the store every two weeks as the work progressed and he expects to spend more time there as the opening day gets closer.

"That's going to go to every day for a while."

With the work now underway, the construction is now out of his hands, Purchase said.

"We certainly hope it will be open by late fall."

Purchase said the company is looking forward to coming to Amherst with their new store.

"We're pretty excited about it."

AMHERST, NS:

New jail a step closer
County correctional facility one of three recommended P-3 projects to be explored by province
DARRELL COLE
The Amherst Daily News

AMHERST - A new 50-bed correctional facility to replace the century-old Cumberland Correctional Centre is one of three projects the province is going to develop business plans for as it considers the use of public-private partnerships.

Along with new correctional facilities in Cumberland County and Antigonish, the province is also considering a P-3 arrangement for the twinning of Highway 104 from Sutherland's River to the Canso Causeway and a new radio communications system for police, fire and other first responders.

While it is feasible as a P-3 project, the consultants, Partnerships BC, suggested the two jail projects are small.

"Based on this preliminary assessment, the combined projects may be on the smaller side of what would attract significant market interest as a SIP. However, from a risk transfer perspective, this project is feasible as a SIP or a developer leaseback where the private partner would be responsible for designing, building, financing and maintaining the facilities according to performance specifications provided by (the province)," the consultants say in their 100-page report. "In either case, corrections service would not be provided by a private partner, in keeping with provincial policy."

Transportation and Infrastructure Renewal Minister Murray Scott said he has asked Partnerships BC to do a business case for the three projects.

"They'll look at all the aspects of financing and search out the best options to move these projects ahead," Scott said, adding he expects the process will take about six months. "We'll make a decision on which way we want to go and then we'll take it to cabinet."

Both jails are part of a system with an extensive bed shortage, they fail to meet present fire and life safety requirements with the majority of bed space configured in dormitory format.

The Cumberland and Antigonish facilities both have inadequate sightlines for corrections officers to observe inmate living areas and are located in downtown areas without adequate buffer zones.

"Both of those are the last remnants of the century-old jails in the province. There's a real need for addition beds in Nova Scotia and real need to replace both those jails," Scott said.

It's estimated a new Cumberland County facility would cost about $15 million in 2007 dollars and be 38,000 square feet in size

SACKVILLE, NB:

Town ironing out details for proposed RCMP station
Public meeting planned for fall
CHRIS LABLANC
The Sackville Tribune Post

The town of Sackville is a step closer towards having a new public safety building which will house both the local RCMP detachment and the Sackville Fire Department.
Barry Carroll, CAO for the town of Sackville, said during town council’s regular monthly meeting on July 14 that there are still a number of points left to iron out, but that progress is being made.
“We’re moving closer to where the town can hire an architect and an engineer to move forward,” he said.
Renovations were recently completed on the existing municipal RCMP buildings to help meet basic health, safety, and fire codes, including door and lock changes, smoke detectors, garage door changes, and generator upgrades.
The location of the new public safety building is at 33 Main Street, just across from Moneris Solutions. Demolition of the house on that lot is expected to begin sometime in September.
The town has also purchased the lot next door, but Mayor Pat Estabrooks said recently the occupants of that house will remain there for at least another year, as part of an agreement with the town.
As well, she said the town considered moving the house on 33 Main St., but that it would be too difficult to move.
However, it is still under consideration whether or not the second house will be moved.
“That house is in very good condition,” she said. “I can see that moving quite easily.”
Estabrooks added that she hopes council will one day reveal how much was spent on purchasing the two properties.
A public meeting is currently scheduled for sometime in September to bring the public up to speed on the project.