The Official Saint John, NB Project Thread

[adamuptownsj]

Originally Posted by sailor734

Do we know if any of the "previous projects" on their site have actually been built? Most seem to be just renderings (no photos of completed buildings) The website seems to be lacking much in the way hard information on completed projects.

I asked a reliable source last night and apparently the Landmark does have legs, now. Apparently a serious investor has been brought in. I remain skeptical but this is on my radar for the first time. I work nearby and will report on any site activity (as well as any on Lafford's purchase).

[adamuptownsj]

On the subject of the Wolastoq Park proposal... per my source, the city is very explicitly asking for an equivalent exchange: Irving gets their parking lot and Saint John, specifically Lancaster, gets something serious out of it... my guess is a Simms Corner fix with federal cash, major Harbour Passage extension, or perhaps a big JDI commitment to existing neglected parks like Seaside/Bay Shore.

[sailor734]

Originally Posted by adamuptownsj

On the subject of the Wolastoq Park proposal... per my source, the city is very explicitly asking for an equivalent exchange: Irving gets their parking lot and Saint John, specifically Lancaster, gets something serious out of it... my guess is a Simms Corner fix with federal cash, major Harbour Passage extension, or perhaps a big JDI commitment to existing neglected parks like Seaside/Bay Shore.

I can easily believe that. It was pretty clear from the comments of many on council at the last meeting that the city was looking for tangible "community benefits" far in excess of a pedway that would be mostly used by workers to get back and forth from the parking lot to the mill.

I think any fix for Simms Corner would have to include solving the rail issue.

[sailor734]

Originally Posted by adamuptownsj

I asked a reliable source last night and apparently the Landmark does have legs, now. Apparently a serious investor has been brought in. I remain skeptical but this is on my radar for the first time. I work nearby and will report on any site activity (as well as any on Lafford's purchase).

Would love to know what Lafford's plan is!

[bingun]

Wayne Long and the Mayor made a funding announcement this morning.

The Urban Tree component is particularly interesting. They implied this is not a common funding stream and is typically given out to larger cities. I can't recall the exact figure, but she said roughly half of these trees will end up in the primary development area and that they are not saplings but mature larger trees.

🚎 Public Transit Investment:
With more than $6.3 million over the next decade, we will modernize and maintain our public transit system. This includes upgrading buses, enhancing maintenance facilities, and improving infrastructure to make transit more efficient and sustainable. A robust public transit system is key to reducing traffic, fighting climate change, and providing an affordable, accessible option for everyone in our growing city.
🌳 Urban Tree Project:
We’re also planting over 1,100 trees across Saint John with $774,000 from the Natural Infrastructure Fund. Trees improve air quality, reduce heat, and provide much-needed green spaces. This project is a vital part of making our city more resilient to climate change, while enhancing the beauty and sustainability of our urban environment.

[adamuptownsj]

Originally Posted by bingun

Wayne Long and the Mayor made a funding announcement this morning.

The Urban Tree component is particularly interesting. They implied this is not a common funding stream and is typically given out to larger cities. I can't recall the exact figure, but she said roughly half of these trees will end up in the primary development area and that they are not saplings but mature larger trees.

SJ's insistence on sapling planting is frustrating and inane. One tough winter and we lose a big gob of too-young street trees to plows or just bad weather. The Loyalist Plaza ones are way too close together, and to Market Square itself. Good to see we're getting some substantial trees planted.

[darkharbour]

Originally Posted by adamuptownsj

SJ's insistence on sapling planting is frustrating and inane. One tough winter and we lose a big gob of too-young street trees to plows or just bad weather. The Loyalist Plaza ones are way too close together, and to Market Square itself. Good to see we're getting some substantial trees planted.

Some of that has always been due to supply issues - there aren't enough nurseries that supply the right species at that size in New Brunswick, and competition for the ones that do exist is tough.

[bingun]

Originally Posted by adamuptownsj

On the subject of the Wolastoq Park proposal... per my source, the city is very explicitly asking for an equivalent exchange: Irving gets their parking lot and Saint John, specifically Lancaster, gets something serious out of it... my guess is a Simms Corner fix with federal cash, major Harbour Passage extension, or perhaps a big JDI commitment to existing neglected parks like Seaside/Bay Shore.

From my recollection, the city is currently planning to build a short section of harbour passage past reversing falls, and I think they also planned some by Rainbow Park as part of that redevelopment. I wonder what the next priority would be if they were able to get Irving to contribute.

I would love some improved infrastructure at Bayshore Beach. I went down a few times last summer for a walk and the parking situation is a mess, especially now that sea street has been mostly developed.

[Sabien]

Originally Posted by bingun

From my recollection, the city is currently planning to build a short section of harbour passage past reversing falls, and I think they also planned some by Rainbow Park as part of that redevelopment. I wonder what the next priority would be if they were able to get Irving to contribute.

I would love some improved infrastructure at Bayshore Beach. I went down a few times last summer for a walk and the parking situation is a mess, especially now that sea street has been mostly developed.

There was some work done on the parking area at Bayshore in the fall. The ground was levelled out a little and the parking area was expanded a little bit. It’s an improvement at least.

[adamuptownsj]

Originally Posted by bingun

From my recollection, the city is currently planning to build a short section of harbour passage past reversing falls, and I think they also planned some by Rainbow Park as part of that redevelopment. I wonder what the next priority would be if they were able to get Irving to contribute.

I would love some improved infrastructure at Bayshore Beach. I went down a few times last summer for a walk and the parking situation is a mess, especially now that sea street has been mostly developed.

AFAIK the Rainbow Park area extension will just be along Broad from Sydney to Carmarthen. I'd rather they paralleled the tracks and went from Tin Can Beach to the sports field at the end of Wentworth. The passage loses a lot of appeal when it's just a red sidewalk cut with driveways and residential entrances.

Like Sabien said, Bay Shore has been improved a fair bit, but it's still sorely lacking, for how nice the beach is.

[sailor734]

Both Seaside Park and Bayshore could certainly use some money spent on them.

[adamuptownsj]

Originally Posted by sailor734

Both Seaside Park and Bayshore could certainly use some money spent on them.

This would be a great addition. Don't need it paved, just basic maintenance, signage, etc. https://imgur.com/a/Gl3r2Lm

[adamuptownsj]

Originally Posted by bingun

Wayne Long and the Mayor made a funding announcement this morning.

The Urban Tree component is particularly interesting. They implied this is not a common funding stream and is typically given out to larger cities. I can't recall the exact figure, but she said roughly half of these trees will end up in the primary development area and that they are not saplings but mature larger trees.

Back on this subject: per AllNB, 500 trees are aimed at the 5 'priority neighbourhoods' (Lower West, South End, Waterloo Village, Crescent Valley, Old North End). The other 650, IDK, but wording leads me to think they'll be going into populated areas-- not random unused land within city limits.

~100 per priority neighbourhood will get used up pretty quick, especially if parks gobble up a decent share.

The South End hasn't been replacing street trees with much regularity as they're lost to storms, plows, or time, but it's not that stark as there's plenty of backyard trees. The Lower West and Old North End are somewhat green, in parts. Crescent Valley is kind of a patchwork of actual forest and few trees at all. Waterloo Village is probably the least treed community in the city, outside of the housing between Brunswick and Crown.

[cdnguys]

Plow drivers need to be educated. A few winters ago a plow mowed over 3 newer trees on one block. Made you wonder if it were on purpose.

[bingun]

Skimming through Monday's council meeting, I noticed a few interesting items.

There is a contract award for Reversing Falls Lookout Trail Phase 1. I assume this is the part down below the restaurant but I could be wrong. I am really happy to see this regardless; I think Reversing Falls needs some attention if we want to continue to push tourism, as some of the lookout areas have seen better days.

https://pub-saintjohn.escribemeetings.com/filestream.ashx?DocumentId=20984

The approved 2023 & 2024 General Fund Capital Programs include funding for the Reversing Falls area which includes various area improvements and replacement of assets at the end of their useful lives. The work generally involves the installation of concrete retaining wall and trailhead, pedestrian friendly parking/roadway improvements, associated landscaping, parking lot surface patching, as well as the installation of improved area lighting.

There is an item requesting additional capital funding for the Stage Enhancement project, which I hadn't heard about before.

https://pub-saintjohn.escribemeetings.com/filestream.ashx?DocumentId=20999

JSM has developed a different vision than what was originally proposed for the stage and has a license to operate the stage for larger concerts five times per year with a provision to allow for more with the City’s permission. The scale of the concerts could be upwards of 3,000 to 5,000 people. The agreement provides for JSM to recommend infrastructure for the area and for the City to consider those requests. The existing equipment scoped with the original project will not meet the capacity required and would not be capable of attracting acts or hosting events to that scale. JSM and Area506 are also both aware and have committed to not competing with large events at the same time but rather mutually benefiting from what events are occurring just down the street from each other.

[RaginRonic]

Originally Posted by bingun

Skimming through Monday's council meeting, I noticed a few interesting items.

There is a contract award for Reversing Falls Lookout Trail Phase 1. I assume this is the part down below the restaurant but I could be wrong. I am really happy to see this regardless; I think Reversing Falls needs some attention if we want to continue to push tourism, as some of the lookout areas have seen better days.

https://pub-saintjohn.escribemeetings.com/filestream.ashx?DocumentId=20984



There is an item requesting additional capital funding for the Stage Enhancement project, which I hadn't heard about before.

https://pub-saintjohn.escribemeetings.com/filestream.ashx?DocumentId=20999

Does this sound like the West Side extension of Harbour Passage?

[bingun]

Originally Posted by RaginRonic

Does this sound like the West Side extension of Harbour Passage?

That was my first thought, too, as I know that is in the works, but I thought they would be more explicit somewhere in the text if that were the case rather than 'Reversing Falls Lookout Trail Phase 1'.

[bingun]

Barrack Green Residences - Affordable Housing Project (67 Broadview Avenue)

[bingun]

City Council are meeting tonight to schedule a new public hearing (April 3rd) for the Wolastoq Park parking lot as the application has been amended. I wonder what Irving has offered to sweeten the deal...

[cdnguys]

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