The Official Saint John, NB Project Thread

[SJTOKO]

Hopefully it won't look at bad as the hotel they have in Moncton, but something tells me it will. There MUST be a rendering out there somewhere.. The city must have one??? Will this hotel be visible from the harbour??? Was is 9 or 10 floors?

[SJTOKO]

The other day a friend of mine told me that there was once a provincial plan to build a major international airport near Sussex that would serve Fredericton, Saint John and Moncton. Has anyone ever heard of this, or was it just a rumor?

[mylesmalley]

Originally Posted by SJTOKO

The other day a friend of mine told me that there was once a provincial plan to build a major international airport near Sussex that would serve Fredericton, Saint John and Moncton. Has anyone ever heard of this, or was it just a rumor?

There was talk of it back in the 80s if memory serves. Didn't go anywhere though. I really doubt any of the three would have been willing to give up their airports in exchange for a regional one near sussex. Also, the highway infrastructure didn't exist at the time to make it all that feasible.

[random11]

Originally Posted by SJTOKO

The other day a friend of mine told me that there was once a provincial plan to build a major international airport near Sussex that would serve Fredericton, Saint John and Moncton. Has anyone ever heard of this, or was it just a rumor?

I actually read an article about this in a publication (can't remember where) about 3 months ago and the topic was being revisited however, from what I remember the general consensus was that this won't happen. Fredericton just recently gained status as an international airport with their runway extension to handle the military cargo planes and Saint John Airport will soon be expanding again as well. These monies would not be spent if there was going to be a new regional airport.

[PostModernPrometheus]

Originally Posted by Helladog

Pix of the Chateau Saint John construction site:

nice pics - thanks.


the footprint is a little small when one takes into account the parking that will be needed...it is surprising there have been no conceptual drawings put forth at this point :S

[PostModernPrometheus]

Originally Posted by SJTOKO

The other day a friend of mine told me that there was once a provincial plan to build a major international airport near Sussex that would serve Fredericton, Saint John and Moncton. Has anyone ever heard of this, or was it just a rumor?

it probably would have made a lot more sense in retrospect, and given a very strong competitor to halifax's aiport . . .

[PostModernPrometheus]

Originally Posted by Wrightguy0

The old building next door to the three sisters project is supposed to become a boutique hotel, from what the condo sales rep told me

that derelict building looks so horribly run down....i figured it would have made more sense to tear it down and start fresh rather than sink the $ into renovating it....

[MonctonRad]

re: regional airport

There was some talk about this back in the 70's & 80's, but as mylesmalley stated, this was mostly casual and speculative therefore did not go anywhere. Realistically, airports are such instruments of civic pride, that is would be hard to imagine Saint John, Fredericton or Moncton agreeing to this concept.

The three cities are just far enough apart to make the commuting distance to Sussex to be a nuisance. Fredericton can make a good argument to keep their airport because of military use and because it is the provincial capital. Saint John can argue that as a burgeoning energy hub and commercial centre, that an airport is vital to their community (despite all that pesky fog). Meanwhile, Moncton can argue location, location, location.

The Greater Moncton Airport Authority has invested a lot of money over the last 10-15 years in their facility. The secondary runway has been lengthened to allow for commerical jet traffic in a north-south direction (as well as east-west on the primary runway). A new passenger terminal has been built. An airport industrial park is in the works. Annual passenger volumes at the GMIA are now around 580,000. The GMIA also is a major air freight centre as well, with cargo volumes approaching those of Halifax.

Bottom line - The Sussex International Airport is not going to happen.

[PostModernPrometheus]

Originally Posted by Helladog

SAINT JOHN - Marsh Creek will soon reclaim its rightful status as a jewel in the centre of the city.

Published Saturday July 12th, 2008
Environment All three levels of government applaud appointment of Tim Vickers to lead the charge
SANDRA DAVIS
Telegraph-Journal B1


After years of being maligned as the municipality's stinkiest body of water, the Atlantic Coastal Action Program is getting set to develop a plan to remove cancer-causing creosote that has contaminated the creek since the 1920s.

On Friday, Saint John MP Paul Zed, Mayor Ivan Court and Saint John East MLA Roly MacIntyre gathered to announce that ACAP's Tim Vickers will be leading the charge. Vickers is ACAP's executive-director.

To start, Vickers intends to apply for funding to hire experts to do the technical studies that will tell him the scope of the problem and how the creek might be remediated.

Test wells will need to be dug to delineate the creosote's boundaries, timelines have to be established and information on the state of the creek has to be brought up to date. He expects the answer may lie in dredging the creek's contaminated soil.

"With today's announcement of an action team, what we see is the potential for a light at the end of the tunnel," said Vickers.

"We will finally remove one of the last big obstacles for turning Marsh Creek into the type of natural urban infrastructure that it could be."

Vickers envisions a Marsh Creek with expanded wetlands, which will not only reduce Glen Falls flooding, but also provide a potential area for bird watching and nature photography, with walking trails and interpretive panels.

"Marsh Creek is a gold mine in terms of a city," he said.

"It runs through the heart of the city, it's the geographic centre of Saint John. There are brook trout in the upper reaches. It's just the lower section of Marsh Creek - the last few kilometres - that is really heavily polluted."

*sic*

The New Brunswick Department of the Environment estimates that the volume of impacted soil and sediment from both the Canada Post site and the creek bed at approximately 30,000 tonnes.

Court believes the millions of dollars it will cost to successfully remove the creosote can come from the private sector, through environmental compensation packages, although Vickers will be lobbying the federal government and the province for cash, too. Canada Post, which sits on the contaminated site, will also be approached.

I think the comment that Marsh Creek is a potential gold mine is accurate; this is going to be a very costly clean up, but the pay off are diverse - health & safety as well as improved scent being obvious, but with some well thought out planning and development, this could be a veritable green oasis . . . kind of a "Harbour Passage" for naturalists. . .

[Helladog]

BAYSIDE MIDDLE SCHOOL EXPANSION
(residential projects in the background)

[thefishingnut]

Originally Posted by random11

I actually read an article about this in a publication (can't remember where) about 3 months ago and the topic was being revisited however, from what I remember the general consensus was that this won't happen. Fredericton just recently gained status as an international airport with their runway extension to handle the military cargo planes and Saint John Airport will soon be expanding again as well. These monies would not be spent if there was going to be a new regional airport.

I can just imagine $200 return taxi fares to a Sussex airport. Half the people missing the 5:30/6:00 a.m. flights in the winter because of weather. People dying on highways driving home long distances at 2 in the morning (hitting Moose, driving on icy highways). Although there are some cost benefits I'm sure, putting the airport in Sussex would make it miserable for the travellers.

[kwajo]

Originally Posted by PostModernPrometheus

I think the comment that Marsh Creek is a potential gold mine is accurate; this is going to be a very costly clean up, but the pay off are diverse - health & safety as well as improved scent being obvious, but with some well thought out planning and development, this could be a veritable green oasis . . . kind of a "Harbour Passage" for naturalists. . .

It's great that lots of people - like yourself - are standing behind this undertaking, and realising that Marsh Creek has so much potential for being a key piece of a growing and prospering Saint John.


I like your line about "Harbour Passage for naturalists" because that is definitely a good way of looking at it, as it will not only provide a great place for recreation, but provide very useful transportation links for people to walk, bike or skateboard from the East Side to Uptown without having to get run-down by cars on Rothesay Ave, Westmorland Rd or the Causeway.

Also, as a senior official with the city said to me the other day, "Wetland is the new waterfront," when it comes to development. So this is a great opportunity to leverage a greenspace into providing new development in the city.





Anyway, I have a couple observations from walking around at lunch today. One, the Cruise Ship Terminal is starting to look better IMO, the brick facades are really coming together, and maybe it won't be so bland after-all. Two, I noticed a sign has been put up at the foot of Princess about the Pugsley Park redevelopment, so maybe we'll see some action on that before the Summer is through.



And wasn't the Three sisters Park tender issued already? Hopefully, as that might mean construction soon too


EDIT: I did some searching, and the call for contracts about Three Sisters Park calls for completion by August 31, 2008 Link

[thebrad]

Hello fellow board members. O thought this might be as good a place as any to see if anyone has any connection to a plumber I can call. I have a leak in my shower and pretty much the only option is going to be ripping it out and installing a new one, I was thinking a possible tile project as well. Anyone know of any good reliable people, please let me know.

~Brad

[thefishingnut]

Originally Posted by thebrad

Hello fellow board members. O thought this might be as good a place as any to see if anyone has any connection to a plumber I can call. I have a leak in my shower and pretty much the only option is going to be ripping it out and installing a new one, I was thinking a possible tile project as well. Anyone know of any good reliable people, please let me know.

~Brad

(I don't know any) - you could try www.isaintjohn.com, there tends to be a lot of that material there.

[Helladog]

Originally Posted by kwajo

It's great that lots of people - like yourself - are standing behind this undertaking, and realising that Marsh Creek has so much potential for being a key piece of a growing and prospering Saint John.

I say this as not only as a fellow Saint Johner, but also because I am project coordinator for the Marsh Creek Restoration Initiative at ACAP [making me extremely biased in favour of the project]
I like your line about "Harbour Passage for naturalists" because that is definitely a good way of looking at it, as it will not only provide a great place for recreation, but provide very useful transportation links for people to walk, bike or skateboard from the East Side to Uptown without having to get run-down by cars on Rothesay Ave, Westmorland Rd or the Causeway.

Also, as a senior official with the city said to me the other day, "Wetland is the new waterfront," when it comes to development. So this is a great opportunity to leverage a greenspace into providing new development in the city.





Anyway, I have a couple observations from walking around at lunch today. One, the Cruise Ship Terminal is starting to look better IMO, the brick facades are really coming together, and maybe it won't be so bland after-all. Two, I noticed a sign has been put up at the foot of Princess about the Pugsley Park redevelopment, so maybe we'll see some action on that before the Summer is through.



And wasn't the Three sisters Park tender issued already? Hopefully, as that might mean construction soon too


EDIT: I did some searching, and the call for contracts about Three Sisters Park calls for completion by August 31, 2008 Link

There is a sign at the Three Sisters Park site with the rendering on it. At least it's on someones radar.

The march creek cleanup and development is a great project and I'm sure it'll be a nice park/trail someday.

[PostModernPrometheus]

Originally Posted by kwajo

It's great that lots of people - like yourself - are standing behind this undertaking, and realising that Marsh Creek has so much potential for being a key piece of a growing and prospering Saint John.

I say this as not only as a fellow Saint Johner, but also because I am project coordinator for the Marsh Creek Restoration Initiative at ACAP [making me extremely biased in favour of the project]
I like your line about "Harbour Passage for naturalists" because that is definitely a good way of looking at it, as it will not only provide a great place for recreation, but provide very useful transportation links for people to walk, bike or skateboard from the East Side to Uptown without having to get run-down by cars on Rothesay Ave, Westmorland Rd or the Causeway.

Also, as a senior official with the city said to me the other day, "Wetland is the new waterfront," when it comes to development. So this is a great opportunity to leverage a greenspace into providing new development in the city.

It's interesting - I got into a debate with a friend of mine last night, who agrees with the Marsh Creek clean up from a health/environment perspective, but doesn't see it as a catalyst for much else at all. The interesting piece was that we had had a very similar debate over Harbour Passage, Phase 1;

If you think back 5-6 years ago, there were plenty of people who thought that spending $ on Harbour Passage was a waste, that it wouldn't "pay off", etc, etc. While I am under no illusion that the transformation that is sweeping through the uptown is *because* of Harbour Passage, it is nonetheless a small, but very important piece of the puzzle. It's a very real, very tangible way to connect parts of the city together, and much like the renewed positive attitude in the area, it's growing.

Hopefully, Marsh Creek will become an analagous situation. If there's one thing Saint John is exceedingly good at, it's finding "diamonds in the rough". . . .

The fact you are in on the ground level in terms of coordinating the project is great news. My only piece of advice would be to, as the project starts to take form, make sure that the public has a good understanding of what the current problem is / state of the ecosystem, and what the expectation would be in terms of clean up (I'm sure the TJ would run a few stories or a series. . . ) . . . if similar projects have been undertaken in other cities, then before & after effects might be very, very useful to use as comparisons. The other thing that Saint John is very good at is mobilizing volunteers and pitching in for good local causes....certainly, this is less useful for the clean up, per se, but could be a very potent resource for ultimately transforming the area in the future...

[davehook_729]

My vision for marsh creek is a slow flowing, narrow stream that is so clean you can sit in a tube soaking your feet and floating down it like a lazy river, or go canoing on it, or possibly pay for a European gondola ride down it. It would be nice if there was enough greenery on both sides so that you can't see the adjacent industry and feel as if you are floating through a rainforest sprawling with birds and various other wildlife. The trick will be trying to get people to forget the fact that it was once once of the most polluted waterways in Canada. Tourists won't know it's history though, so maybe they will use it!

[Seely32]

I would like to see more wildlife in marsh creek and not have to worry about them dying in a couple months or their offspring from having six feet.

Also on the st. paul hotel the initial footprint looks small and the derelict buildings in the area need work there is nothing worse than staying at a hotel and looking out your window and seeing slums. The choice seems a bit off but it will have a great presence off of the highway at that height.( 110-120 ft)

Princess st. revamping was suppose to begin this july any word?? The barbour general store is also coming along quite well and hopefully we will see some brick laid soon.

[Helladog]

Originally Posted by Seely32

I would like to see more wildlife in marsh creek and not have to worry about them dying in a couple months or their offspring from having six feet.

Also on the st. paul hotel the initial footprint looks small and the derelict buildings in the area need work there is nothing worse than staying at a hotel and looking out your window and seeing slums. The choice seems a bit off but it will have a great presence off of the highway at that height.( 110-120 ft)

Princess st. revamping was suppose to begin this july any word?? The barbour general store is also coming along quite well and hopefully we will see some brick laid soon.

I'd think from looking at the site in person, it is at least as large as the Fort Howe Hotel, which coincidentally has nine floors too. As for hotels with a view, Best Western out east has a nice view of the trailer park to it's rear. I'm not insinuating the park is a slum, but isn't what I'd be expecting from a view out my hotel window. At least you can send your dog for a coffee and a pair of fancy jeans nearby...

[thefishingnut]

Originally Posted by PostModernPrometheus

The fact you are in on the ground level in terms of coordinating the project is great news. My only piece of advice would be to, as the project starts to take form, make sure that the public has a good understanding of what the current problem is / state of the ecosystem, and what the expectation would be in terms of clean up (I'm sure the TJ would run a few stories or a series. . . ) . . . if similar projects have been undertaken in other cities, then before & after effects might be very, very useful to use as comparisons. The other thing that Saint John is very good at is mobilizing volunteers and pitching in for good local causes....certainly, this is less useful for the clean up, per se, but could be a very potent resource for ultimately transforming the area in the future.

Toronto actually has a lot of Ravine Parks which are quite good and natural, and might act as a model. They're rather hard to find, but they have a graded dirt or gravel pathway, and other than that everything is left natural. Marsh Creek will probably require quite a bit of re-planting, as cleanup will be quite disruptive to what is there, but hopefully it'll become an intact watershed without dams and Gabion baskets.

Kwajo, please let us know when some opportunities to become involved come up.