[Saint John] Uptown Thread

[sailor734]

Originally Posted by DyAm00394

Spicer Merrifield Gallery, (116 Prince William Street), has announced they are closing their doors on Saturday, January 27th at 5pm.

They mention for those who are unable to come in before their closing, Spicer Cole Fine Jewellers inside McAllister Place will honour any outstanding services for clients of Spicer Merrifield Gallery. The services include but are not limited to warranties, exchanges/returns, outstanding, layaways, outstanding, special orders, outstanding work orders, outstanding credit, memos, on account, and current gift cards.

They went in a funny direction in terms of inventory and the atmosphere of the store after Peter Buckland retired and Spicer got involved. I don't think the move to Prince William helped either. The building they were in was very much not a traditional storefront.

[sailor734]

Originally Posted by gtsoc

The owner of In Pursuit says there are 8 businesses that have announced they are closing or will be closing.

https://twitter.com/DominiqueOzelie/status/1746901625891950995

I wonder how many are victims of CERB loans coming due?

[DyAm00394]

Wayne Long has posted photos of the new patios steel framing being installed.

[adamuptownsj]

This is cute- the sprawling, filthy encampment, surrounded by homes and apartments on all sides, is reportedly 'managed' by Fresh Start, the same group Saint John is contracting to manage a more permanent site. Cheers to the lucky neighbourhood getting the camp.

https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/new-brunswick/managed-encampment-homeless-shelter-1.7087824

Direct quote from their executive director: "[We've] used the site as a "training ground" and have been able to develop some "best practices."

Not really seeing any 'best practices' in development here. I'm in the area 5-6 times a week. There's people borderline overdosing on the sidewalk all day every day. Zero compassion in enabling this. It will be (to say the least) challenging to implement the Central Peninsula Action Plan's 'Waterloo Village Big Moves' with a sanctioned garbage dump/drug den across from the Cathedral.

Where's the 'fresh start' exactly? Where's the 'harm reduction' of giving people a place do drugs until they expire or their brains melt? What does this do to an already precarious neighbourhood?

If these Fresh Start guys were running it like the Neighbours facility in Fredericton I wouldn't have any complaints, but it's a shocking mess in what SHOULD be an area the city should have a spotlight on. Plus, there's zero willingness to remove other sites in Rockwood, in the frigging Loyalist Burial Ground, and beyond. I doubt the municipality will show backbone re: unsanctioned camping, even if a more formal site is selected and properly managed.

[cdnguys]

Originally Posted by adamuptownsj

This is cute- the sprawling, filthy encampment, surrounded by homes and apartments on all sides, is reportedly 'managed' by Fresh Start, the same group Saint John is contracting to manage a more permanent site. Cheers to the lucky neighbourhood getting the camp.

https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/new-brunswick/managed-encampment-homeless-shelter-1.7087824

Direct quote from their executive director: "[We've] used the site as a "training ground" and have been able to develop some "best practices."

Not really seeing any 'best practices' in development here. I'm in the area 5-6 times a week. There's people borderline overdosing on the sidewalk all day every day. Zero compassion in enabling this. It will be (to say the least) challenging to implement the Central Peninsula Action Plan's 'Waterloo Village Big Moves' with a sanctioned garbage dump/drug den across from the Cathedral.

Where's the 'fresh start' exactly? Where's the 'harm reduction' of giving people a place do drugs until they expire or their brains melt? What does this do to an already precarious neighbourhood?

If these Fresh Start guys were running it like the Neighbours facility in Fredericton I wouldn't have any complaints, but it's a shocking mess in what SHOULD be an area the city should have a spotlight on. Plus, there's zero willingness to remove other sites in Rockwood, in the frigging Loyalist Burial Ground, and beyond. I doubt the municipality will show backbone re: unsanctioned camping, even if a more formal site is selected and properly managed.

Been reading some about that encampment and listening to others opine about it. The encampments are supposed to be temporary but because they are being enabled they are becoming a self-sustaining developing community that is becoming harder to break up. They have a source of income (theft and BJ’s) plus people dropping off food. I’m not articulating it very well, but what I’m trying to say it’s better to have scattered tents than concentrated tents so that a community doesn’t form. It will be harder to get rid of them. Why does Waterloo Village have to take the brunt of all these support services and flop areas? Bus them out to Rothesay commons where they’ll have washrooms, a fountain to bathe in, nice homes to burgle, plenty of bikes ….. see how long they’ll put up with it. It’s exhausting

[sailor734]

Originally Posted by cdnguys

Been reading some about that encampment and listening to others opine about it. The encampments are supposed to be temporary but because they are being enabled they are becoming a self-sustaining developing community that is becoming harder to break up. They have a source of income (theft and BJ’s) plus people dropping off food. I’m not articulating it very well, but what I’m trying to say it’s better to have scattered tents than concentrated tents so that a community doesn’t form. It will be harder to get rid of them. Why does Waterloo Village have to take the brunt of all these support services and flop areas? Bus them out to Rothesay commons where they’ll have washrooms, a fountain to bathe in, nice homes to burgle, plenty of bikes ….. see how long they’ll put up with it. It’s exhausting

While seemingly sensible and compassionate at first glance it seems to me that this will actually enable the problem. It might be harsh but maybe it's better to allow the crisis to blow up rather than just allowing it to bubble along in perpetuity. At least the the pressure would continue to build on government to take serious action towards longterm solutions. Things like secure inpatient facilities for addiction and mental health treatment and an enlarged justice system to process and incarcerate those who are just plain old criminals.

From what I read the worker's comp centre in Grand Bay is largely empty. Could somewhere like that not be repurposed into a dedicated treatment facility with secure wings as required? It would seem reasonable for someone convicted of property crimes or violence where addiction or mental health was a factor to be sentenced there rather than be sent to jail (or as is much more likely) released "on conditions"........ conditions that seem to be very rarely adhered to.

[EnvisionSaintJohn]

Originally Posted by cdnguys

Been reading some about that encampment and listening to others opine about it. The encampments are supposed to be temporary but because they are being enabled they are becoming a self-sustaining developing community that is becoming harder to break up. They have a source of income (theft and BJ’s) plus people dropping off food. I’m not articulating it very well, but what I’m trying to say it’s better to have scattered tents than concentrated tents so that a community doesn’t form. It will be harder to get rid of them. Why does Waterloo Village have to take the brunt of all these support services and flop areas? Bus them out to Rothesay commons where they’ll have washrooms, a fountain to bathe in, nice homes to burgle, plenty of bikes ….. see how long they’ll put up with it. It’s exhausting

Great idea with Rothesay.

Perhaps another idea would be this large, undeveloped piece of land directly to the south of Kennebacasis Park?

https://paol-efel.snb.ca/paol.html?lang=en&pan=06911592

One has to wonder why land in such a prime location remains undeveloped? The city could pick this as the place for the location of one of the temporary homeless encampment sites, while investing in sewage and power to make it viable for residential development.

I wonder who owns this piece of land?

[EnvisionSaintJohn]

Originally Posted by adamuptownsj

Completing Harbour Passage's connection to the West Side over the bridge should kill a couple birds with one stone. SJ should be 'voluntelling' Ocean Steel to sponsor the last ~900 meters.

Crossing the bridge, we should have a multi-use Harbour Passage extension on the south side and perhaps pedestrian activated lights on the both ends. Eliminate the north side sidewalk so traffic can fit comfortably. Cut a proper multi use path along the north and west edges of Wolastoq Park to the planned roundabout.

Did you notice the city plans to have a walkway across the harbour bridge?

Surprised no mention about this here yet…

[sailor734]

I think the idea of pedestrian and cycle lanes on the Harbour Bridge is an attractive one. Forming a loop with the falls bridge would be great. However, I have to wonder at the practicality. Recent summer lane reductions due to maintenance and the resulting traffic snarls show that any reduction in vehicle lanes to make room for this would be hugely problematic. I think the reaction from commuters would be virulent (and rightly so)

I'm not sure of the engineering issues surrounding an expansion of the bridge deck width to create such lanes but I have to imagine the costs would be VERY substantial.

I have to wonder if this doesn't fall under the "dream big/pie in the sky/wouldn't it be nice" category of planning

[gtsoc]

Originally Posted by sailor734

I wonder how many are victims of CERB loans coming due?

Pristine located at 98 Prince William St. has announced they are closing the retail store to focus on printing and design services.

[JakeNB]

Bob Boyce posted a pic on Facebook of the foundations going in at Steepleview.

[Nastya_Kournakova]

Originally Posted by EnvisionSaintJohn

Great idea with Rothesay.

Perhaps another idea would be this large, undeveloped piece of land directly to the south of Kennebacasis Park?

https://paol-efel.snb.ca/paol.html?lang=en&pan=06911592

One has to wonder why land in such a prime location remains undeveloped? The city could pick this as the place for the location of one of the temporary homeless encampment sites, while investing in sewage and power to make it viable for residential development.

I wonder who owns this piece of land?

Actually, there's already an encampment in there.

[CharlotteCountyLogan]

I saw a post on Twitter from Colin O'Brien showing a site plan for a 2 building 108 unit 6 story apiece development happening in Waterloo Village. Is this your project Adam or is this someone else and if so who's development is it. I would send the picture but I have no idea how to send photos here from my phone.

[adamuptownsj]

Originally Posted by CharlotteCountyLogan

I saw a post on Twitter from Colin O'Brien showing a site plan for a 2 building 108 unit 6 story apiece development happening in Waterloo Village. Is this your project Adam or is this someone else and if so who's development is it. I would send the picture but I have no idea how to send photos here from my phone.

You just caught me on the way to the pub... nope! Weirdly, my project is also 6 floors with 54 units. I am just below the edge of the image, across Waterloo. Here's the plan you mention. Looks like two identical buildings.

https://twitter.com/COB16_/status/1750269363507134646/photo/1

Michael Wowchuk, Cliff Taylor, Vanessa Johnson, and silent partners in Hong Kong picked it up in August, per AllNB on 18 August.

[CharlotteCountyLogan]

Originally Posted by adamuptownsj

You just caught me on the way to the pub... nope! Weirdly, my project is also 6 floors with 54 units. I am just below the edge of the image, across Waterloo. Here's the plan you mention. Looks like two identical buildings.

https://twitter.com/COB16_/status/1750269363507134646/photo/1

Michael Wowchuk, Cliff Taylor, Vanessa Johnson, and silent partners in Hong Kong picked it up in August, per AllNB on 18 August.

Seems like a good development. Hope it happens and happens quickly. Would be good for Waterloo

[cdnguys]

Originally Posted by EnvisionSaintJohn

Great idea with Rothesay.

Perhaps another idea would be this large, undeveloped piece of land directly to the south of Kennebacasis Park?

https://paol-efel.snb.ca/paol.html?lang=en&pan=06911592

One has to wonder why land in such a prime location remains undeveloped? The city could pick this as the place for the location of one of the temporary homeless encampment sites, while investing in sewage and power to make it viable for residential development.

I wonder who owns this piece of land?

It’s part of Estates of Drury Cove and is/will be developed. There’s already an unpaved road into it. It’s on a hill overlooking KPark

[cdnguys]

So here is current projects for uptown:

Under construction:

- 56 Steepleview
- 39 Barrack Green Residences
- 79 Phase 1 Fundy Quay

Total: 174

Announced:

- 54 Waterloo Industrial Chic
- 108 Hospital Hill
- 598 Fundy Quay remaining phases
- 35 166 Leinster St
- 58 St. Vincent’s
- 24 (?) 1 Bayard Dr.
- 93 99 King St

Total: 970

Bullshit announcement:

- 180 300 Sydney Street

Now that AIM is gone and The Arlington is on the home stretch, I wonder if Rocca will build their second building on Water Street by Three Sisters. Next prime area to develop is all that vast parking surrounding Red Rose and along the harbour inlet.

[EnvisionSaintJohn]

Originally Posted by sailor734

I think the idea of pedestrian and cycle lanes on the Harbour Bridge is an attractive one.

[...]

I'm not sure of the engineering issues surrounding an expansion of the bridge deck width to create such lanes but I have to imagine the costs would be VERY substantial.

Would it really be that much of a challenge? We're not talking about widening it accommodate vehicles and heavy trucks, but people on foot/bikes. Not sure if it would be a both sides type of deal, one side, or even underneath. But it would sure fix a historical wrong that was imposed on the West Side when they built they replaced the ferry with a bridge that outlawed cyclists and pedestrians.

The Bridge was built at the height of car centric, commuter designed urban planning. I think we've waited long enough to address this fundamental flaw with the the Saint John Harbour Bridge.

What would be cheaper in the long run, a ferry or a pedestrian-bike path on or under the bridge? A future with both would be great for both sides of the harbour, and very much fitting for a place that proudly calls itself "The Port City".

[EnvisionSaintJohn]

Originally Posted by cdnguys

Now that AIM is gone and The Arlington is on the home stretch, I wonder if Rocca will build their second building on Water Street by Three Sisters. Next prime area to develop is all that vast parking surrounding Red Rose and along the harbour inlet.

Is AIM actually gone, or is that local environenmental group just trying to cause a stir?

[cdnguys]

Originally Posted by EnvisionSaintJohn

Is AIM actually gone, or is that local environenmental group just trying to cause a stir?

Their operating license is revoked with no ability to appeal. Only permitted action is they can ask for a judicial review of the process.