The Official Saint John, NB Project Thread

[DyAm00394]

Originally Posted by cdnguys

Do you know if any, and who, voted against these proposals ? Just curious

Entire council voted in favor.

It was a few residents that were opposed to 1440 Loch Lomond Road, even one person made a power point presentation for council.

The former St. Patrick's, (172 City Line), had no objections or voting against.

You can watch the council meeting livestream here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q6w3ETgGPYA

[sailor734]

I was talking to someone who has family living in the partially completed Seabird Suites on Millidge Ave since early last summer. I guess some tenants are getting pretty fed up with the lack of progress. They were promised last spring that building one would be finished by early fall. Now it's February and it's not even close, These people didn't even get heat until late October, the storage lockers have never been built and parking space is inadequate with some people having to park on the street.

I was really surprised to hear that while their balcony is not complete (no railings) the sliding doors are not secured permanently and can be opened.....surely that's some kind of a serious safety violation? It's actually hard to believe but the person I was talking to (family member of a tenant) was adamant it was the case.

I suppose you could put one person complaining down to a disgruntled tenant but I have talked to three different tenants since Christmas and none were were very impressed.

I think the excuses of "supply chain issues" and "labour shortages" are wearing thin for many of these people as other projects are being steadily moved to completion in a more timely fashion.

It would be interesting to know if something else is going on. Lots of rumours flying around but this is Saint John so there always are.......

[WagesNotPizzaParties]

Originally Posted by sailor734

I was talking to someone who has family living in the partially completed Seabird Suites on Millidge Ave since early last summer. I guess some tenants are getting pretty fed up with the lack of progress. They were promised last spring that building one would be finished by early fall. Now it's February and it's not even close, These people didn't even get heat until late October, the storage lockers have never been built and parking space is inadequate with some people having to park on the street.

I was really surprised to hear that while their balcony is not complete (no railings) the sliding doors are not secured permanently and can be opened.....surely that's some kind of a serious safety violation? It's actually hard to believe but the person I was talking to (family member of a tenant) was adamant it was the case.

I suppose you could put one person complaining down to a disgruntled tenant but I have talked to three different tenants since Christmas and none were were very impressed.

I think the excuses of "supply chain issues" and "labour shortages" are wearing thin for many of these people as other projects are being steadily moved to completion in a more timely fashion.

It would be interesting to know if something else is going on. Lots of rumours flying around but this is Saint John so there always are.......

I have visited this site on multiple occasions, the contracted out to the cheapest bidder. There is no "labor shortage", just contractors not willing to pay for decent labour. You get what you pay for.

[sailor734]

Originally Posted by WagesNotPizzaParties

I have visited this site on multiple occasions, the contracted out to the cheapest bidder. There is no "labor shortage", just contractors not willing to pay for decent labour. You get what you pay for.

Well, I guess either it will get finished at some point or the project will blow up and get taken over by someone else. I guess we will see. Either way at some point it will get finished.

I sure wouldn't want to be a tenant in the present rental environment. Landlords would seem to hold all the cards.

[sailor734]

226 Unit proposal from DeJong for Loch Lomond Rd passed 1st and 2nd reading Monday night. Looks like 4 buildings plus some townhouses

For those with TJ subscription details here

https://tj.news/saint-john-south/new-proposal-would-bring-226-units-to-key-east-side-road

[adamuptownsj]

Originally Posted by sailor734

226 Unit proposal from DeJong for Loch Lomond Rd passed 1st and 2nd reading Monday night. Looks like 4 buildings plus some townhouses

For those with TJ subscription details here

https://tj.news/saint-john-south/new-proposal-would-bring-226-units-to-key-east-side-road

Ideally the entrance to this development would align with the entrance to the proposed development at 1429 Loch Lomond across the street. Odd place for apartment buildings, I guess.

[sailor734]

Originally Posted by adamuptownsj

Ideally the entrance to this development would align with the entrance to the proposed development at 1429 Loch Lomond across the street. Odd place for apartment buildings, I guess.

For those that can see the article the rendering looks like another from Spitfire. I'm glad to see development but it's unfortunate that every 4-6 floor build is a flat roofed rectangular box that looks pretty much the same as all the others.

[KnoxfordGuy]

These are better than the hipped roof vinal clad apartments that went up 20 years ago around NB (and can still be found being built)

[Pugsley]

Originally Posted by sailor734

For those that can see the article the rendering looks like another from Spitfire. I'm glad to see development but it's unfortunate that every 4-6 floor build is a flat roofed rectangular box that looks pretty much the same as all the others.

Agreed. Spitfire appears to be the go-to for all the renderings and to be honest, none of them are inspiring. But when you have a housing crisis, rising costs, and few options in terms of design firms, you are going to get these cookie-cutter concepts that are functional and less fashionable.

Would be good to get another couple of firms here in the province to start pushing the envelope design-wise. Certainly this is VERY competitive in places like Toronto where the design firms are always trying to out-do each other with innovative and inspiring concepts - many times being a selling feature for the developer...as in "Introducing an X-company designed" project. Can be a big draw.

[DyAm00394]

Looks like the international French private school that was abandoned at Market Square has chosen Halifax as their new location. https://www.lifpa-donbosco-halifax.com/

[sailor734]

Originally Posted by DyAm00394

Looks like the international French private school that was abandoned at Market Square has chosen Halifax as their new location. https://www.lifpa-donbosco-halifax.com/

As I understand it part of the problem here was that their business plan called for a certain percentage of students to be local....and that they were not getting the response they needed from Saint John and area. At 15K+ the tuition might find more takers somewhere the size of Halifax.

[Pugsley]

Originally Posted by sailor734

As I understand it part of the problem here was that their business plan called for a certain percentage of students to be local....and that they were not getting the response they needed from Saint John and area. At 15K+ the tuition might find more takers somewhere the size of Halifax.

That makes total sense to me. I mean, this is New Brunswick...we already have a better French school system than Nova Scotia (in theory). Would be hard to justify a price like that for local attendees given there are public alternatives.

I wasn't a fan of it being in Market Square to begin with. Was ill-suited to me. I think Market Square would be amazing for a Rec Room chain location or similar "Eater-tainment" facility. Or maybe a Top Golf? Something that really makes it Atlantic Canada's destination for fun, food, and live entertainment. We are already going to have a super amazing waterfront with live music, outdoor 4-season dining, and two hotels connected to it. Let's make it a destination people want to go to for bachelor/bachelorette's, first date weekends, or family getaways!! Not to mention the value it would add to it being a conference destination!

I'll refrain from suggesting a casino because I know that sets everyone off! LOL

However, it was interesting to see that as one of the most common alternative suggestions from locals on one of the related posts I saw on Facebook. Maybe locals are changing their minds to it as being a potential asset and not a problem-creator?

[cdnguys]

I see EastPoint’s own construction company Orion is hiring for construction project manager - experience with projects over $5m required. Maybe sign apartments will be started soon

[DyAm00394]

Originally Posted by DyAm00394

Looks like the international French private school that was abandoned at Market Square has chosen Halifax as their new location. https://www.lifpa-donbosco-halifax.com/

"In an interview with Le Réveil, the school's principal, Sylvain Olivier, explained that a project was already being developed in Halifax for 2025 or 2026, but that the abandonment of the Saint-John project accelerated it. He believes Halifax is a logical choice because of its population size and the presence of several cultural communities". https://ici.radio-canada.ca/nouvelle/2047859/lycee-francais-atlantique-halifax

[Helladog]

Originally Posted by sailor734

As I understand it part of the problem here was that their business plan called for a certain percentage of students to be local....and that they were not getting the response they needed from Saint John and area. At 15K+ the tuition might find more takers somewhere the size of Halifax.

I don’t remember seeing a single ad from them. I’m sure they tried real hard in their own way. It didn’t take long for them to make a decision on another location; they were prolly just testing the waters.

[sailor734]

Originally Posted by Helladog

I don’t remember seeing a single ad from them. I’m sure they tried real hard in their own way. It didn’t take long for them to make a decision on another location; they were prolly just testing the waters.

I still question how reno costs could unexpectedly double so close to the scheduled opening? I mean the cancelation came just 8 months prior to the date for the start of classes. If it wasn't a lack of enrollment I almost wonder if an unexpected issue was found in Market Sq? Maybe mould from the leaking roof?

[cdnguys]

Did the reno at Brenan’s west start for the 18 apartments? Seems to be activity there. Also, and sign of work at Wild Fox drive ?

[sailor734]

Originally Posted by cdnguys

Did the reno at Brenan’s west start for the 18 apartments? Seems to be activity there. Also, and sign of work at Wild Fox drive ?

Anyone else think it would be kind of creepy to live in a former funeral home?

[darkharbour]

Originally Posted by sailor734

I still question how reno costs could unexpectedly double so close to the scheduled opening? I mean the cancelation came just 8 months prior to the date for the start of classes. If it wasn't a lack of enrollment I almost wonder if an unexpected issue was found in Market Sq? Maybe mould from the leaking roof?

It wouldn't surprise me. Knowing a lot of museum/former museum employees, there were a lot of issues with the space that would get "fixed" and then reappear not long after (mostly significant leaks, but also ventilation).

[cdnguys]

Originally Posted by sailor734

Anyone else think it would be kind of creepy to live in a former funeral home?

For sure, I wouldn’t.