[Saint John] Uptown Thread

[bingun]

In light of Billy's Seafood closing immediately and Jo's Samosas closing later this month, I thought I would give a general update on the city market from someone who is there 2-3 times a week.

Several vendors closed temporarily during January because it is a slower time of year or to take vacations. This includes Uncorked, Chicken by Felix, and A Brilliant Choice.

In good news, Charlotte Street Bakery and House of Damascus appear to be doing good business; you see lineups at both during lunch and on the weekends. I would recommend checking them out next time anyone is there.

The spot at the bottom where Java Moose was several years ago and where they were supposed to return is still vacant. The city communicated that they would return last summer, but that never materialized.

The Slocum and Ferris location is still empty, but they have put in some seating, which I think is a good idea and provides some overflow from the existing areas.

Lastly, the space where Sisters and Saint John Bakery were previously has been completely stripped down and was fully open for a few weeks. However, recently, it has been enclosed again to perform additional construction. I had originally heard that the Wild Carrot was planning to move into this space from their current spot next door, but I am unsure if that is still the case.

I will include pictures in a separate reply.

[bingun]

[bingun]

Originally Posted by bingun

Suwanna's new uptown location on Germain is progressing nicely. The window coverings have been taken down, and if you walk by during the day while the contractors are working, you can get a great look inside. I won't spoil it for them, but they have clearly invested substantially in renovating this unit.

If progress continues, I could see this opening in January or February.

Suwanna's is finally opening this Friday (Valentine's Day). Based on recent Facebook posts, they are already booked out all weekend. Initially, they are dine-in only, but they will be offering take-out in the near future.

No official pictures that I have seen, but I will post any if I see them.

[nwalbert]

Originally Posted by bingun

Suwanna's is finally opening this Friday (Valentine's Day). Based on recent Facebook posts, they are already booked out all weekend. Initially, they are dine-in only, but they will be offering take-out in the near future.

No official pictures that I have seen, but I will post any if I see them.

What an awesome addition to uptown!!

[bingun]

Based on a Facebook marketplace post, the unit 'Hats on the Square' occupies at 82 Germain Street is available April 1st, implying they are closing or moving.

[bingun]

The Bookstore Cafe in Market Square looks to be on its way, too. With a few other stores in there now, it is filling up, although I am doubtful many will last.

The 'Write Cup Bookstore Cafe' is opening tomorrow.

[bingun]

Originally Posted by bingun

Based on a Facebook marketplace post, the unit 'Hats on the Square' occupies at 82 Germain Street is available April 1st, implying they are closing or moving.

They are moving to Market Square based on a Facebook post. It seems like Market Square has been much more successful at pulling in new business than Brunswick Square.

[darkharbour]

Originally Posted by bingun

They are moving to Market Square based on a Facebook post. It seems like Market Square has been much more successful at pulling in new business than Brunswick Square.

My understanding was that they [Market Square] had recently adjusted their lease rates to encourage new activity, but maybe that is just heresay from other business owners Uptown.

[sailor734]

Originally Posted by darkharbour

My understanding was that they had adjusted their lease rates to encourage new activity, but maybe that is just heresay from other business owners Uptown.

Also, I have heard that Slade REIT at Brunswick Sq is notorious for being difficult to deal with.

[bingun]

Originally Posted by bingun

I noticed a 'fully leased' sign go up today in the pedway system in city hall. Except for the travel nurse company, this is probably the first unit to get leased since the renovations?

I walked past this unit today, and it has been occupied by 'The Work Room' and has lots of desks/PCs and other office equipment.

I am not hugely familiar with the organization, but I believe it is a government service that provides support to job seekers. Regardless, it's good to see the Pedway a little less empty.

[cdnguys]

Originally Posted by bingun

I walked past this unit today, and it has been occupied by 'The Work Room' and has lots of desks/PCs and other office equipment.

I am not hugely familiar with the organization, but I believe it is a government service that provides support to job seekers. Regardless, it's good to see the Pedway a little less empty.

It’s moved from Agar Place in addition to GNB workers from Agar occupying the 9th floor

[adamuptownsj]

This summer's road and sidewalk reconstruction plans are out:

• Broad, from Charlotte to Carmarthen (includes another block of Harbour Passage)
• Carmarthen, from Mecklenburg to Orange
• Charlotte, from St. James to Queen Sq N
• St. James, from Charlotte to Sydney (surprised this isn't waiting until the school is further along)

I thought Canterbury from Princess to Duke was this year too. I guess not.

[bingun]

Originally Posted by adamuptownsj

This summer's road and sidewalk reconstruction plans are out:

• Broad, from Charlotte to Carmarthen (includes another block of Harbour Passage)
• Carmarthen, from Mecklenburg to Orange
• Charlotte, from St. James to Queen Sq N
• St. James, from Charlotte to Sydney (surprised this isn't waiting until the school is further along)

I thought Canterbury from Princess to Duke was this year too. I guess not.

I thought I had seen something about that, too. That's too bad; that section with the parking could use being cleaned up.

[JakeNB]

Is there anything happening with the St. Vincent’s project?

[sailor734]

Originally Posted by JakeNB

Is there anything happening with the St. Vincent’s project?

This CBC story from almost exactly 1 year ago talks about his St Patrick's project being ready "early next year" (so about now). Anybody know if it's done? It seemed like it was going to be his priority of the two.

In the same article De Jong says that St Vincent's will be "significantly" longer and talks about extensive mould and water damage to electrical systems as well as issues with asbestos and lead paint. I haven't seen any signs of any of that remediation starting but who knows, work may be happening inside.

https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/new-brunswick/former-schools-apartment-units-renovation-1.7133255

De Jong is also doing the recently announced affordable housing project on Anglin Dr so lots on his plate.

FWIW this is his website although it contains very little information.

https://www.slopesideholdings.com/ I think he is doing the SJ projects under "City Line Holdings" but a Google search doesn't show any website for that company.

[adamuptownsj]

Originally Posted by sailor734

This CBC story from almost exactly 1 year ago talks about his St Patrick's project being ready "early next year" (so about now). Anybody know if it's done? It seemed like it was going to be his priority of the two.

In the same article De Jong says that St Vincent's will be "significantly" longer and talks about extensive mould and water damage to electrical systems as well as issues with asbestos and lead paint. I haven't seen any signs of any of that remediation starting but who knows, work may be happening inside.

https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/new-brunswick/former-schools-apartment-units-renovation-1.7133255

De Jong is also doing the recently announced affordable housing project on Anglin Dr so lots on his plate.

FWIW this is his website although it contains very little information.

https://www.slopesideholdings.com/ I think he is doing the SJ projects under "City Line Holdings" but a Google search doesn't show any website for that company.

No visible exterior changes to St Pat's, and I drove past it like a week ago.

I do know he's been doing some remediation work at St Vincent's; there's been crews in and out sometimes. It's got a new or entirely repaired roof, at least. That was last summer.

[darkharbour]

The roof of the old school was replaced last year not long after the announcement was made, which was nice to see to not worsen the water damage, but I haven't heard of much since then.

[sailor734]

From the March 2024 CBC story..... speaking about St Vincent's........

"So, the first thing with St. Vincent's is we have to dry it out and then remediate ... there's a lot of asbestos and some lead paint that needs to come out, let alone all the mould and contaminated building materials."

He said all of the electrical wiring has to be removed and replaced, and because the classrooms are going to be turned into units, plumbing will have to be installed in each one.

De Jong said it "could be 18 months before that project's finished." That estimate seems/seemed? pretty optimistic to me?


I'm guessing that timeline has slipped more than a little bit. Still major surprises and delays are hardly unusual in this type of project.....after all it's a 100 year old building that has basically sat abandoned since 2002. I just hope it doesn't turn out to be unfeasible due to any surprises.

I'm old enough to remember all the great plans for the General Hospital and how that turned out

Good news about the roof though. That would at least stabilize it and prevent further water intrusion.

[DyAm00394]

Sharing this post here as well. Some design changes to 99 King Street.

Originally Posted by DyAm00394

This different rendering of the building was included in the CMHC Rental Report presentation at the upcoming Growth Committee meeting on March 18th. (It's on the slide about "2024 Housing Starts").

Source: https://pub-saintjohn.escribemeetings.com/filestream.ashx?DocumentId=21147

[bridgeoftea]

I guess the feedback about the balconies was heard? I still like it, I think it'll fit in nicely with the current skyline. I do love these renders for 99 King that have traffic speeding through Kings Square or the market seemingly changed over not.

Also I wonder if 99 King tops out before the first building of Fundy Quay.