The Official Saint John, NB Project Thread

[EnvisionSaintJohn]

Originally Posted by DyAm00394

The plans for the Harbour Passage extension to Rockwood Park.

(These photos were posted on Facebook by Barry Ogden):

I guess it’s good to see Barry Ogden is pro Harbour Passage. Would be nice to see it become a bit of an election issue and see which candidate has the best vision for the future of the trail system. Good to see these plans will finally see Rockwood Park linked up with the Harbour Passage .. so more people will be willing to ride their bikes to the park, instead of driving their bikes to the park.

Really think we gotta see some bike sharing stations installed along the Harbour Passage and Main Street bike lanes if we ever want to stop hearing people complaining about empty bike lanes.

[EnvisionSaintJohn]

Any news/rumours on new candidates running for mayor of Saint John?

Ward 3 sounds like an especially tight race this year with some of the highest quality new candidates offering. It’s kinda sad it’s currently the opposite situation in the mayoral race. Hopefully that changes.

[sailor734]

Originally Posted by EnvisionSaintJohn

Any news/rumours on new candidates running for mayor of Saint John?

Ward 3 sounds like an especially tight race this year with some of the highest quality new candidates offering. It’s kinda sad it’s currently the opposite situation in the mayoral race. Hopefully that changes.

I was chatting with an acquaintance recently who is still active in business and pretty plugged in to what's happening around uptown. He was lamenting the fact that we didn't have a single decent candidate for mayor. ( obviously not a Donna Reardon fan )

[cdnguys]

Floor #1 is now up on Leinster/Crown - moving along fast.

[EnvisionSaintJohn]

Originally Posted by sailor734

I was chatting with an acquaintance recently who is still active in business and pretty plugged in to what's happening around uptown. He was lamenting the fact that we didn't have a single decent candidate for mayor. ( obviously not a Donna Reardon fan )

That’s really unfortunate. I get Saint Johners are a very tough crowd to please, and it’s a bit of a thankless job to say the least, but this is a really important election and the city deserves a better leader than Donna Reardon or Barry Ogden.

Here’s hoping some higher quality candidates rise to the challenge and shake up this very uninspiring field.

I voted for Reardon last time, but in hindsight, Mel Vincent probably would have been the better, more development friendly mayor.

[EnvisionSaintJohn]

I just noticed that the official Saint John, NB Project Thread is now the most viewed page on the Atlantic Canada sub forum.

Freddy had the most views for the longest time, but Saint John’s main page is now the most viewed!

Good job everybody!

[cdnguys]

Some cities in Canada may be growing at a faster clip, but they’ll never have this geography and beauty.

[bingun]

The rezoning for the Landmark development is set to expire in May 2026 based on the 5-year clause that was in the original approval.

Do we think they will attempt to extend or reapprove this, or will the site remain dormant?

[cdnguys]

Originally Posted by bingun

The rezoning for the Landmark development is set to expire in May 2026 based on the 5-year clause that was in the original approval.

Do we think they will attempt to extend or reapprove this, or will the site remain dormant?

Also, what about historica’s grandiose plan for Queen Sq north?

[KnoxfordGuy]

Originally Posted by KnoxfordGuy

Building at the end of Leinster Street

From uptown thread

[EnvisionSaintJohn]

• Video Link

Video credit: Eunice Flores.

After watching this video and taking another look at the most recent renders... including the rooftop cafe, I think it's fair to classify this as a five storey project?

[bingun]

Originally Posted by cdnguys

Also, what about historica’s grandiose plan for Queen Sq north?

Is it me, or has Historica been very quiet the last few years? I recall them picking up Hazen apartments, but I don't remember anything since then. I thought someone told me the increased interest rates had hit them hard, but maybe I imagined that. Quite a few of their units seem to struggle to remain occupied, not surprising given the prices.

Originally Posted by KnoxfordGuy

From uptown thread

Thanks for posting the picture. They have another two trailers of framing ready to go behind the site. I think this one will go up quickly, with it having no steel.


Below are updates on the Barrick Green Residence and the South End School. Hard to see in the image, but there is a lot of foundation work at the school, with nothing structural yet.

[bridgeoftea]

Originally Posted by bingun

The rezoning for the Landmark development is set to expire in May 2026 based on the 5-year clause that was in the original approval.

Do we think they will attempt to extend or reapprove this, or will the site remain dormant?

I hope for the sake of progress, someone else nabs it. There should be a rule against extending if you don't put shovels in the ground after 5 years.

[EnvisionSaintJohn]

Originally Posted by bridgeoftea

I hope for the sake of progress, someone else nabs it. There should be a rule against extending if you don't put shovels in the ground after 5 years.

Hopefully it’s prioritized by the developer over their other large multi unit proposal in Rothesay.

Though, perhaps Lafford would be interested in purchasing this property as well? I believe the now own the property on the other side the street…

[bingun]

Originally Posted by EnvisionSaintJohn

Hopefully it’s prioritized by the developer over their other large multi unit proposal in Rothesay.

Though, perhaps Lafford would be interested in purchasing this property as well? I believe the now own the property on the other side the street…

Until we see shovels in the ground, I am not convinced the Rothesay development will move forward either.

Last I checked, the land Lafford wanted hasn't been transferred to him yet, although that is probably just an administrative thing. It would be awesome to see some kind of plan or concept for that site this year.

[EnvisionSaintJohn]

Originally Posted by bingun

Until we see shovels in the ground, I am not convinced the Rothesay development will move forward either.

Last I checked, the land Lafford wanted hasn't been transferred to him yet, although that is probably just an administrative thing. It would be awesome to see some kind of plan or concept for that site this year.

Do they have specific definition for "shovels in the ground" or work started though?

If any sort of site prep begins by May could that not count as shovels in the ground?

If the aesthetically offensive 99 King and it's upside down dresser legs design can secure government financing... 300 Sydney with its far more attractive design and higher number units (180) should also be eligible for similar financing arrangements... as long the as the developer is game to making a certain amount of the units affordable, which really shouldn't be an issue, considering it's not nearly as desirable of a location as 99 King St. is.

Until we hear this development is no longer happening, I remain cautiously optimistic it will still be built.



The location is too good to waste on another uninspired 6 storey apartment box or something go up in it's place... like what is going to happen with the St. Bernard Place development in Moncton, which not that long ago, was supposed to be a full 18 storeys... now it's only going to be a 6 storey apartment box.

Unlike the St. Bernard Place location, this location at 300 Sydney will have some pretty spectacular ocean views, so it would be a real shame to see anything below 10 storeys go up here.

[bingun]

I believe it is supposed to be completed within 5 years, not started. Realistically, if it had begun, they'd extend without much fuss, but without anything happening, that's less likely.

Condition (f): "That the development shall be completed within 5 years of the date the rezoning came into effect. If it is not completed within that time, Council may take steps to cancel the resolution and agreement and repeal the rezoning pursuant to Section 59(5) and 59(6) of the New Brunswick Community Planning Act."

[EnvisionSaintJohn]

Originally Posted by bingun

I believe it is supposed to be completed within 5 years, not started. Realistically, if it had begun, they'd extend without much fuss, but without anything happening, that's less likely.

oh wow, completed... safe to say that timeline won't be met lol


Still, I'm optimistic we'll see them start and get the city to extend that deadline

[sailor734]

Perhaps when developers apply for this type of major project approval they should be required to give some type of proof to the city that they have the capability (financial and otherwise) to undertake the project and complete it in a timely fashion. Otherwise we get prime development land sitting vacant for years.

[sailor734]

Originally Posted by bridgeoftea

I hope for the sake of progress, someone else nabs it. There should be a rule against extending if you don't put shovels in the ground after 5 years.

Didn't the same people just get (or are in the process of asking for) approval for a huge, multiyear 1300 unit project in Rothesay? Can't see them doing both but who knows.