The Official Saint John, NB Project Thread

[bingun]

Originally Posted by adamuptownsj

Good drone shot of the new Retail-Ashburn Lake-Rothesay intersection. https://www.facebook.com/photo/?fbid=1131681365807678&set=a.415870017388820

The substantial lots on both sides of it both ended up much larger than I expected. One commenter says there's a rumour of a Costco gas bar on one of them... but that's likely to be a rumour only IMHO. Separately, I wonder if someone will pick up the corner of Oakland and Retail for a smallish apartment building project? Good location for something like that.

Costco gas bars are an obsession for some people lol. I think that is probably wild optimism rather than reality. I don't know if I have seen a Costco gas bar separated from the main store before, but perhaps there are other examples. It would also probably make that intersection they just fixed even worse again, with traffic backing up.

[DyAm00394]

New CBC article:

Calgary, Texas companies propose data centre for Saint John industrial park
https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/new-brunswick/data-centre-saint-john-industrial-park-9.6960550

[cdnguys]

Originally Posted by bingun

Costco gas bars are an obsession for some people lol. I think that is probably wild optimism rather than reality. I don't know if I have seen a Costco gas bar separated from the main store before, but perhaps there are other examples. It would also probably make that intersection they just fixed even worse again, with traffic backing up.

I can’t see Costco building a new gas bar with EVs on the horizon. What I can see is Costco rebranding an existing gas bar such as the Canadian Tire one if for some reason that agreement expired.

[cdnguys]

Anyone else get the feeling Saint John will be the success story of the province for the second half of the decade? The last few years we had medium yet steady growth, growing from 130,000 to 150,000 today. And that’s before before JDI’s NextGen $1.1B project, now reported $2B data centre, possible $1B DPWorld warehouse, $100m Americold import/export facility, possible port expansion again and energy projects + the spin offs of all this. And who knows what else is in the pipeline as SJIP has over 20 open files. Added to this a drastically changing skyline over the next few years. If you go uptown on a weeknight or weekend to a restaurant, you feel there is prosperity the amount of business there is. And more to look forward to like Lafford’s SJ project at Tin Can Beach, new state of the art schools, $150m museum and housing projects popping up everywhere.

[bingun]

Originally Posted by cdnguys

Anyone else get the feeling Saint John will be the success story of the province for the second half of the decade? The last few years we had medium yet steady growth, growing from 130,000 to 150,000 today. And that’s before before JDI’s NextGen $1.1B project, now reported $2B data centre, possible $1B DPWorld warehouse, $100m Americold import/export facility, possible port expansion again and energy projects + the spin offs of all this. And who knows what else is in the pipeline as SJIP has over 20 open files. Added to this a drastically changing skyline over the next few years. If you go uptown on a weeknight or weekend to a restaurant, you feel there is prosperity the amount of business there is. And more to look forward to like Lafford’s SJ project at Tin Can Beach, new state of the art schools, $150m museum and housing projects popping up everywhere.

There is certainly a lot more to be hopeful and optimistic about. It wasn't that long ago that there was little happening or on the horizon. Budget cuts, lay-offs, and population reductions, etc.

There are still some deep socioeconomic issues in this city, particularly in neighbourhoods like the South End, North End, and Lower West. I hope some of this economic development can flow down to these areas and help raise them up.

I think the upcoming municipal election is one of the most crucial for some time, and people need to think seriously about who can help move the city in a positive direction and who wants to keep things the same.

[nwalbert]

Originally Posted by cdnguys

Anyone else get the feeling Saint John will be the success story of the province for the second half of the decade? The last few years we had medium yet steady growth, growing from 130,000 to 150,000 today. And that’s before before JDI’s NextGen $1.1B project, now reported $2B data centre, possible $1B DPWorld warehouse, $100m Americold import/export facility, possible port expansion again and energy projects + the spin offs of all this. And who knows what else is in the pipeline as SJIP has over 20 open files. Added to this a drastically changing skyline over the next few years. If you go uptown on a weeknight or weekend to a restaurant, you feel there is prosperity the amount of business there is. And more to look forward to like Lafford’s SJ project at Tin Can Beach, new state of the art schools, $150m museum and housing projects popping up everywhere.

No question. This isn't even considering an expansion at Lepreau which is extremely likely.

It has certainly been a long time since SJ saw this level of growth, and it's amazing for the province to see so much private investment.

Uptown has a different feel, like you said, the restaurants are busy, there is simply much more money in the city.

[bingun]

The proposal for 421 Woodward Avenue is heading back to PAC on December 1st. I am glad to see they are still attempting to move forward; hopefully, a compromise can be found.

[DyAm00394]

Danceability Expanding to Loch Lomond Place with a New, Modern Studio at 120 McDonald Street.

https://sjcommercialre.com/2025/10/31/da...h-lomond-place-with-a-new-modern-studio/

"Danceability is taking a big leap forward with the opening of a new, larger studio at Loch Lomond Place. The new second-floor space features a private entrance directly off the parking lot, offering convenient access for students and families.

Founded in 1997 by the late Anne Stephen, Danceability has long been a cornerstone of the local dance community. Anne’s love for dance was truly contagious. She mentored countless dancers and teachers and created an environment where everyone felt special, heard, and appreciated. Her legacy continues through her daughter, Heather Allen, who now leads the studio as Director.

“This is a new and fresh chapter for Danceability,” said Heather.

“Navigating the renovation process of our new studio while operating our current location on Rothesay Avenue has been overwhelming at times, but it will all be worth it in the end. This new space is bright, modern, and designed to serve our dancers and their families well into the future. I can’t wait to open the doors to the new studio and anticipate it to be ready December 1st.”

The Landlord, Consumer Centres, purchased Loch Lomond Place in early 2025. As part of their acquisition announcement, they shared that the property represented a tremendous opportunity for revitalization and redevelopment in a growing market and that they had plans in motion to enhance its appeal and reposition it as a modern retail destination".

This is the 2nd new tenant Consumers Centres has landed for Loch Lomond Place. An indoor pickleball facility recently announced they are opening there as well.

[cdnguys]

Originally Posted by DyAm00394

Danceability Expanding to Loch Lomond Place with a New, Modern Studio at 120 McDonald Street.

https://sjcommercialre.com/2025/10/31/da...h-lomond-place-with-a-new-modern-studio/



This is the 2nd new tenant Consumers Centres has landed for Loch Lomond Place. An indoor pickleball facility recently announced they are opening there as well.

Looks like Trane left the old sobeys spot

[JakeNB]

Originally Posted by DyAm00394

New CBC article:

Calgary, Texas companies propose data centre for Saint John industrial park
https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/new-brunswick/data-centre-saint-john-industrial-park-9.6960550

From the comments on the Save Lorneville Facebook page, the locals are going to run these guys out of town on a rail. There is an open house scheduled and I expect that the proponents will be made to feel extremely unwelcome and forget about this initiative. Too bad.

[bingun]

Originally Posted by JakeNB

From the comments on the Save Lorneville Facebook page, the locals are going to run these guys out of town on a rail. There is an open house scheduled and I expect that the proponents will be made to feel extremely unwelcome and forget about this initiative. Too bad.

I think you would be surprised at their resolve with the amount of money on the line. They aren't going into this expecting a warm welcome.

[cdnguys]

Originally Posted by bingun

I think you would be surprised at their resolve with the amount of money on the line. They aren't going into this expecting a warm welcome.

Yes this is just for looks to say they engaged the community, a community that seems to think they have control over land adjacent. This will be the deciding point whether Saint John can grow into the future, or crater to these kinds of groups. Whatever is proposed, green or not, they’ll have an issue

[cdnguys]

[IMG] image upload for discourse[/IMG]

[bingun]

Where is this?

[cdnguys]

Originally Posted by bingun

Where is this?

Metcalf St

[darkharbour]

Originally Posted by cdnguys

Yes this is just for looks to say they engaged the community, a community that seems to think they have control over land adjacent. This will be the deciding point whether Saint John can grow into the future, or crater to these kinds of groups. Whatever is proposed, green or not, they’ll have an issue

This feels like a bit of an exaggeration, there is nothing to suggest that we’ll be better off by not listening to community input on development, there are good processes in place to allow for advocacy that can result in positive outcomes for residents and the city alike. NIMBYism isn’t good, but to eschew all critique as potentially disastrous is just as inflammatory as the fear mongers on the other side.

[cdnguys]

Originally Posted by darkharbour

This feels like a bit of an exaggeration, there is nothing to suggest that we’ll be better off by not listening to community input on development, there are good processes in place to allow for advocacy that can result in positive outcomes for residents and the city alike. NIMBYism isn’t good, but to eschew all critique as potentially disastrous is just as inflammatory as the fear mongers on the other side.

Fair point — community input is an important part of the process, and I’m not suggesting it should be ignored. What I’m getting at is the pattern where certain groups seem to oppose almost any proposal, regardless of how much consultation or compromise happens. There’s a difference between genuine advocacy and organized resistance to change. When every project gets bogged down in the same arguments, it sends a message that Saint John isn’t serious about growth or attracting investment. Listening to residents is key — but at some point, we also have to make decisions and move forward if we want the city to thrive.

[Helladog]

Credit: Kristine Claffey (https://www.youtube.com/@kristineclaffey/shorts)

[adamuptownsj]

Golden Ball sale closes on the 14th, per AllNB.

Separately, the Dominion Store site is interestingly NOT being turned into parking right now. W&S are being cut and capped and the site will be hydroseeded. So presumably someone has plans for it.

[bingun]

Originally Posted by adamuptownsj

Golden Ball sale closes on the 14th, per AllNB.

Separately, the Dominion Store site is interestingly NOT being turned into parking right now. W&S are being cut and capped and the site will be hydroseeded. So presumably someone has plans for it.

Thanks for the information. But IOL is still the owner of the site right?

I am sure our local unhoused friends will love the newly hydroseeded area for their recreational activities.