The Official Saint John, NB Project Thread

[Seely32]

I need a better day and a better camera.

[Stanz]

Whoa, is St Patricks the school at the top of a hill with a park across from it? If so, my grandmother worked there and I used to play in the gym on weekends that we were visisting SJ. There was a storage room full of typewriters and the bathrooms had one giant sink with a lever or something. Soo cool.

Ahhh, my old town. Haven't been there since I moved 10 years ago. Actually, I lived in Gondola Point which amalgamated with Quispamsis I believe. Nevertheless, Saint John was "town" to us. These pics bring back so many memories. How's Brunswick Square and Market Square these days? lol

[Smevo]

Good work Seely! Way to represent SJ West, there's definitely some hidden charms on that side of town that most people don't get to see. I was rippin around there about a week and a half ago thinking I could find a good waterfront vantage-point for a skyline photo, only to realize the docks are in the way. I plan to return to that side one of my many trips down to get some shots around the area, especially Martello(?) Tower.

[Seely32]

I would have got some shots of martello tower but it started to rain and I am on foot ill be going out later this week Im going to do Upper West and Maybe the North End keep an eye out.

[ErickMontreal]

Saint John harbour bridge to get subtle makeover

Last Updated: Monday, May 7, 2007 | 12:13 PM AT
CBC News

The Saint John harbour bridge is getting a $3.5-million makeover, but motorists who cross the bridge each day probably won't see any work being done.

They may face a few traffic delays, however, after contractors started a project Sunday to clean the surface under the bridge, do some repair work on it and paint the side of the bridge a fresh coat of "harbour blue."

Chris Titus, board chairman for the Saint John Harbour Bridge Authority, said drivers will see the normal diversion of traffic that comes with any construction project.

"Hopefully not too disruptive to people, but they must understand they don't see the work underneath here, but it's absolutely necessary work, and in order to do it, we have to close the lanes down at both sections at various times," Titus said.

The authority has so far closed one of two eastbound lanes. It will stay closed for the duration of the project.

Authority general manager Ken Anthony said the project should take until the fall to complete.

Anthony expects drivers will be irritated by the traffic delays, but said it's best to get the work done all at once.

"When you have a structure like that that's over salt water, and has salt put over it in the winter, it doesn't last forever," Anthony said. "So it's time to do repairs and spruce up the paint."

It's been about 15 years since this type of maintenance was performed on the bridge.

[Ottawa]

AIRPORT REPORTS STRONG GROWTH

09 May 2007

John Buchanan, President & CEO, Saint John Airport Inc. is pleased to report that year-to-date passenger numbers to the end of April are up over the same period last year, by a total of 10.3%, and represents the highest 4-month total recorded since 1999.

The one-month total passenger count for April was a staggering 18.7% over the same month last year.

John Buchanan attributes the increase largely to the addition of SunWing Vacations into the market, offering spring flights to Cancun, Mexico and Punta Cana, Dominican Republic. Mr. Buchanan also notes that traveller confidence in the industry is improving overall. The addition of low-fare carrier WestJet into Saint John as of May 14 is expected to result in continuing growth for the Airport.

[Seely32]

Heard this moring on the radio that starbucks is moving to the Mcallister Mall On June 27th And possibly move into a place uptown in the summer.

Great to see them here love the coffee, Would love to see them start the move to water st. They could afford it but I doubt it happens.

[kwajo]

I heard the Starbucks thing and I'm very against it. First off, SJ isn't exactly rich, so the high priced coffee isn't on my wish list personally. Also, we already have several Java Moose locations that serve basically the same thing, but are locally owned and operated. All Starbucks is going to do for SJ is run Java Moose out of business and have hard working people feel inclined to waste money money on more costly beverage addictions.

[Smevo]

Starbucks isn't that bad, and coffee being what it is, the presense of Starbucks shouldn't drive anyone out of the market. The one thing I do like about Starbucks is that it's fair trade coffee. As yuppie oriented as they are, it's nice to see them at least do that.

[brandenp]

Originally Posted by kwajo

I heard the Starbucks thing and I'm very against it. First off, SJ isn't exactly rich, so the high priced coffee isn't on my wish list personally. Also, we already have several Java Moose locations that serve basically the same thing, but are locally owned and operated. All Starbucks is going to do for SJ is run Java Moose out of business and have hard working people feel inclined to waste money money on more costly beverage addictions.

In response to kwajos rant..... I had to respond
First of.... SJ isnt broke.... Well i know i live in Saint John... and im far from broke. And i have no problem spending money at Starbucks, regardless of the cost.
Clearly your forgetting Quispam & Rothesay are part of Metro Saint John, and they are far from broke.
Clearly the company did a feasibility study prior to setting up shop in this city, and.... well look at that, something must of been looking good for them to want to set up not one, but two stores in this city...
Clearly the one in East SJ will cater to people in the suburbs that come into the city, to and the uptown location will cater to cruise ship passengers, tourists, and office execs.



Kwajo.... you need to stop being so pessimistic about this place.

[Smevo]

^agreed. It says something that a place seen as a much more affluent city than SJ (Fredericton) only has one with no signs of new ones opening, and that one is only here because it's in Chapter's. Businesses don't set up where they don't think they can do well, and SJ is back on the radar of businesses looking to expand their chains (as are a few more places in the Maritimes).

[PersonPlaceorThing]

Originally Posted by kwajo

I heard the Starbucks thing and I'm very against it. First off, SJ isn't exactly rich, so the high priced coffee isn't on my wish list personally. Also, we already have several Java Moose locations that serve basically the same thing, but are locally owned and operated. All Starbucks is going to do for SJ is run Java Moose out of business and have hard working people feel inclined to waste money money on more costly beverage addictions.

To top it off the Starbucks guy was quoted in the paper as saying there was nothing special about Saint John, that it just happened to be the first NB city this licensee group chose.

Hopefully Java Moose will be able to survive, though I'm concerned for the one in the mall.

[Seely32]

Tim Horton's will run someone out of business as much as Starbucks would if Java Moose can survive with them then they can survive with Starbucks. There is nothing wrong with a little coffee competition. There are plenty of places that have 5 or 6 cafe's on the same block. The whole cafe scene is not a bad thing at all to see in Saint John.

[Ottawa]

Paul Zed Announces a Fifth Daily Saint John – Toronto Air Canada Flight; Evidence that Saint John Continues to Grow

May 10 , 2007


Saint John Member of Parliament Paul Zed today announced a fifth daily Air Canada flight from Saint John to Toronto. This flight will begin as a seasonal route on July 5th.

“I am pleased to announce the addition of this flight,” said Mr. Zed. “This will bring the total number of daily seats from Saint John to Toronto to 250, and will also mean 250 daily seats coming into Saint John. This increased capacity will do a great deal toward helping bring more conventions to Saint John. I want to thank Air Canada for their continuing confidence in Saint John and New Brunswick.”

Mr. Zed is the only Atlantic Canadian Liberal Caucus Member to sit on the Standing Committee on Transport, where he has been advocating for more and better transportation services for the region. Mr. Zed met just this week with Air Canada officials at his office in Ottawa to discuss the need for more flights.

“We continue to work as a Team in Saint John to ensure that we grow, and that we have the necessary capacity at our airport to support this growth,” said Mr. Zed. “By working together as Team Saint John, we will continue to improve Greater Saint John.

[Varlik]

Originally Posted by kwajo

I heard the Starbucks thing and I'm very against it. First off, SJ isn't exactly rich, so the high priced coffee isn't on my wish list personally. Also, we already have several Java Moose locations that serve basically the same thing, but are locally owned and operated. All Starbucks is going to do for SJ is run Java Moose out of business and have hard working people feel inclined to waste money money on more costly beverage addictions.

Personally I am thrilled to hear that we may get a Starbucks. I am all for supporting local business but that business has to measure up and Java Moose just doesn't IMO. I do not like their coffee and most of all I do not like their hours. The fact that they close at 6pm (and I'm talking Prince William St.) proves that they just don't get the whole coffee house thing. If Starbucks come here and take over it will be because they know what they are doing. I do hope that this will prompt Java Moose to improve but either way Saint Johners will be getting a better coffee experience out of the deal.

[ErickMontreal]

Saint John deserves a Starburcks like any other decent cities in that country. Moreover, in the same field, I heard that Second cup will open a second coffee in Regent Mall in Fredericton area.

[kirjtc2]

Second Cup had a location in Regent Mall for years. It closed. They have Starbucks (in Chapters) and Tim Horton's in the food court. Second Cup still is in Kings Place downtown.

Though I wouldn't be surprised to see Starbucks downtown at some point.

[ErickMontreal]

Originally Posted by kirjtc2

Second Cup had a location in Regent Mall for years. It closed. They have Starbucks (in Chapters) and Tim Horton's in the food court. Second Cup still is in Kings Place downtown.

Though I wouldn't be surprised to see Starbucks downtown at some point.

I suppose they will reopen it

http://www.secondcup.com/eng/franchising.php?sec_id=250&msid=1#m1

[Smevo]

Interesting, I wonder where they plan to put it. There are a couple of possibilities, but each one seems to be very close to another coffee shop, though they will have the advantage that kiosk rents are lower.