The Official Saint John, NB Project Thread

[cdnguys]

Originally Posted by darkharbour

I said this from the start, but the bigger the JDI energy project gets the more and more ridiculous I think it is that it was allowed to go ahead at this location. The mill itself looks ridiculous to be so central to the core of the city, then to add what is essentially a giant wood-fired generation plant so close to not only a main route through the city but also neighbourhoods, local businesses, and tourist sites is wild - if you look at it through the eyes of a non-Saint Johner. Even ignoring the noise/pollution/visual impact on the immediate surroundings, the truck and train traffic needed to supply the whole complex requires moving through some of the most central neighbourhoods of the city and puts a significant amount of additional wear and strain on those networks.

I get the economic arguments, but I'm just saying the site is absurd and because the mill has been there for so long it wasn't questioned by anyone in the community in the slightest. Luckily the bigger and taller Uptown gets the harder and harder it will be to see the area from our waterfront and prime commercial and residential streets.

You may be pleased to know a significant amount of cloud maker will be eliminated with upgrade.

[darkharbour]

Originally Posted by cdnguys

You may be pleased to know a significant amount of cloud maker will be eliminated with upgrade.

Thanks, I had realized that and think it's great. I'm just venting - pun intended - about the bigger picture issue of the operation where it is.

For all the fuss about Lorneville lately, it is a much more appropriate place for industrial development than in the centre of the city, with the opportunity to set up proper controls and buffers versus grandfathered-in operations such as the mill and its evolution to its present state.

I guess for most people it's the devil you know over the devil you don't.

[cdnguys]

Originally Posted by darkharbour

Thanks, I had realized that and think it's great. I'm just venting - pun intended - about the bigger picture issue of the operation where it is.

For all the fuss about Lorneville lately, it is a much more appropriate place for industrial development than in the centre of the city, with the opportunity to set up proper controls and buffers versus grandfathered-in operations such as the mill and its evolution to its present state.

I guess for most people it's the devil you know over the devil you don't.

Would be nice if they did a faux skyscraper facade like they do on THUMS island in Long Beach, CA to disguise the drilling rigs - instead of the metal cladding.

[EnvisionSaintJohn]

Originally Posted by cdnguys

Would be nice if they did a faux skyscraper facade like they do on THUMS island in Long Beach, CA to disguise the drilling rigs - instead of the metal cladding.

Would be even nicer if in addition to this billion + dollar investment JDI invested in a major residential high rise at Wolastoq Park which could include underground parking + an above ground parkade in the podium of the high rise to ensure the Wolastoq Park parking question is dealt with in a way that actually adds something of significant value to the residents of the area.

We’ve got a new council now, and I’ll be shocked if JDI doesn’t make another attempt to get a large part of Wolastoq parked rezoned as a large, surface parking lot. IMO, the only type of project council should consider for rezoning part of Wolastoq park, should be for a residential/ mixed use development.

A high rise tower in Wolastoq Park would help even out the impact of this mill tower on the West Side skyline, and its design language could be used in a faux high rise facade for the mill tower.

[sailor734]

Saw a sub soil drilling rig on the site of the former Baxter Dairy site on Millidge Ave this morning when I went by......wonder if something is in the works?

[DyAm00394]

Originally Posted by sailor734

Saw a sub soil drilling rig on the site of the former Baxter Dairy site on Millidge Ave this morning when I went by......wonder if something is in the works?

Interesting, seems like something is planned if they are doing ground testing. In the north end plan they envision housing to be built on this property, so most likely a new residential development is being planned.

[cdnguys]

[cdnguys]

[WharfRat]

Awesome pictures, thank you for posting for those of us that are interested and follow the progress from afar. Cheers!!

[dhottawa729]

A nice 25-storey, 200-unit residential tower (or preferably office/hotel) would look so good near the Charlotte/Coburg intersection from this vantage point. That’s the best place for a new tallest in Saint John. That or north edge of king Square.

[cdnguys]

Originally Posted by dhottawa729

A nice 25-storey, 200-unit residential tower (or preferably office/hotel) would look so good near the Charlotte/Coburg intersection from this vantage point. That’s the best place for a new tallest in Saint John. That or north edge of king Square.

That won’t happen until the province gets serious about land hoarding in urban cores, a huge issue in this city. There is absolutely no reason IOL should own a vacant lot on corner of Princess and Charlotte.

[darkharbour]

Originally Posted by dhottawa729

A nice 25-storey, 200-unit residential tower (or preferably office/hotel) would look so good near the Charlotte/Coburg intersection from this vantage point. That’s the best place for a new tallest in Saint John. That or north edge of king Square.

If other people/companies owned them I'd feel very optimistic about the vacant lots on King Square North, but neither have good urban development track records.

I'd also add a couple of other dream list area to your list, such as the area between Sewell, Dorchester, and Station St. would make a great hotel tower location near TD Station, and the decommissioned substation at the end of Union by Smythe (and the parking lot of the Red Rose building) would be a fantastic residential development spot by the water and really add to the skyline from this angle.

The more we build up along Harbour Passage the better. I see how many people this summer are enjoying the new Fundy Quay section on a daily basis and it's all just empty space behind it at this point. Once those residences and commercial spaces fill up the waterfront will be truly bumping!

[Itme]

Anyone have any idea what’s happening at the old habitat for humanity building at the end of Rothesay ave?

[DyAm00394]

Originally Posted by Itme

Anyone have any idea what’s happening at the old habitat for humanity building at the end of Rothesay ave?

It's been mentioned that Down East Powersports on the west side is moving to there.

[sailor734]

Originally Posted by DyAm00394

Interesting, seems like something is planned if they are doing ground testing. In the north end plan they envision housing to be built on this property, so most likely a new residential development is being planned.

Anyone know what the plans are for Centennial school? It's right behind the old Baxter's property.

[bingun]

Originally Posted by sailor734

Anyone know what the plans are for Centennial school? It's right behind the old Baxter's property.

The North End Plan suggested residential development.

[cdnguys]

The applicant for the parking lot by Sobeys north end for three buildings and 267 apartments is Fathom Studio (on behalf of Plaza Corp Property Holdings). They designed The Oak in Moncton and The Tides in Riverview, so this may be a good indication what the design will look like for these 6 story buildings

[bingun]

Originally Posted by cdnguys

The applicant for the parking lot by Sobeys north end for three buildings and 267 apartments is Fathom Studio (on behalf of Plaza Corp Property Holdings). They designed The Oak in Moncton and The Tides in Riverview, so this may be a good indication what the design will look like for these 6 story buildings

The PAC agenda for next week is up, including the application for this. However, there are no file attachments available. Either the city made an error, or they are waiting for something. Either way, hopefully we get a render and more details by next week's meeting.

[bingun]

The PAC documentation for the residential development at Lansdowne was finally uploaded before tonight's PAC. No full renders, but a cleaner site plan.

https://pub-saintjohn.escribemeetings.com/filestream.ashx?DocumentId=26428

[adamuptownsj]

Those PAC recommended denials (the massive old storm sewer that drains the North End) are fascinating. I don't think I've ever seen them written so colloquially. Builder obviously fine with the denials and will incorporate some small changes.

There is a very large, very deep, and very old sewer that runs down Churchill Boulevard past the Sobeys then turns west and runs out towards Shamrock Park. This sewer 100% needs to remain because if not, a large portion of the North End will eventually become a new lake (Attachment 2).