The Official Saint John, NB Project Thread - Page 49

kwajo · #**961** Posted **Sep 18, 2007, 8:48 PM**

I wasn't in the city, but even if I was I wouldn't go.

Does Saint John deserve a full, bright academic university? Hell yes!
Does Saint John deserve UNBSJ? No one deserves that kind of punishment.

Seely32 · #**962** Posted **Sep 18, 2007, 10:35 PM**

http://bentleycrossing.com/phase2/images/large/site-plan.pdf

Thats the link to the subdivision plan at bentley crossings Phase II is finally taking shape with the houses being well above their foundations now and some wood is being put up.

michael_d40 · #**963** Posted **Sep 19, 2007, 2:31 AM**

2007-economysnapshot

Economic Snapshot — September 12, 2007

Saint John is the fastest growing metropolitan area in the east

By John Clinkard, Consulting Economist, CanaData

With an unemployment rate of 4.5% (a record low) and employment growth of 8.0% (a nine-year high), Saint John’s economy is clearly operating at almost full speed. Four key sectors are currently driving the Saint John economy.

The health services sector added an estimated 3,000 new jobs over the past twelve months. Secondly, employment in the wholesale and retail trade services sector increased significantly (+2,800). This was partly due to the opening of the East Point Mall.

In addition, refurbishing the Point LePreau Nuclear Plant and developing the Canaport LNG facility has contributed a significant increase in the manufacturing sector’s employment (+1,400) over the past twelve months. Finally, the utilities sector has, according to Statistics Canada, more than doubled in size over the past year, adding approximately 1,000 new jobs.

Despite a modest deterioration in affordability, housing demand in Saint John has escalated sharply over the past year. According to the Canadian Real Estate Association, year-to- date sales of existing homes are up by 27.8% over last year. Meanwhile, prices have risen by 12% over the same period. This healthy increase in housing demand has also triggered a spike in new construction.

Year-to-date housing starts in Saint John are up by 17.8%. This is primarily due to a 40% year-to-date increase in multiple-unit construction. The boom in residential construction has been complemented by a surge in non-residential building, the value of which is up 16.8% year-to-date in 2007.

In the first half of this year, industrial construction increased by 300% year over year. This was mainly due to the development of the aforementioned nuclear plant and LNG plant, as well as new gypsum wallboard plant by J.D. Irving Ltd.

In addition, the downtown redevelopment by CenterBeam and Commercial Properties Ltd. will boost commercial construction in Saint John over the next several quarters.

Looking forward, there are increased risks to the outlook, due to recent financial market volatility. Growing concerns about the impact on Canada of the collapse of the U.S. housing market are also a factor. Given that current major projects are underpinning Saint John’s economy and should continue for the next few years, economic growth in the CMA should remain strong well into 2009.

John Clinkard has 30 years experience as an Economist in international, national and regional research and analysis with leading financial institutions and media outlets in Canada

SJTOKO · #**964** Posted **Sep 19, 2007, 3:39 AM**

All photos by the Eye and I...

Saint John Energy building...

Development coming?

Random

Future site of the West side mall....

Random

random11 · #**965** Posted **Sep 19, 2007, 4:13 AM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by michael_d40

Hmm... If its a first for NB, Its something Halifax has but Moncton doesnt....
Hmm.... I would have to guess.... American Apparel, or Abercrombie & Fitch

Abercrombie has only 3 stores in Canada - Edmonton (BIG mall out there I here, lol) and 2 locations in Toronto. It'll be years if they ever land east of Montreal (and they are not even there yet). By the way, has anybody heard about these new stores and has it been announced as to who it is/might be?

SJTOKO · #**966** Posted **Sep 19, 2007, 4:18 AM**

Some Pano's I took......

SJTOKO · #**967** Posted **Sep 19, 2007, 4:22 AM**

These are mostly of the West Side.... I'll put up some pics of the rest of the city later on.

This is Lorneville (outskirts of SJ), the house under constuction is being built by a man from Montreal.. bringing the widows walk back???

LNG from Lorneville..

Housing development

Another housing develpment..

**NEW** housing development (first page) Upper West Side..

kwajo · #**968** Posted **Sep 19, 2007, 11:47 AM**

Great shots STJOKO! I don't get over the the West side enough, so it is nice to see it get a fair share of development finally (I'd rather see money go West than contribute to the East Side's slow descent to hell)

GUB · #**969** Posted **Sep 19, 2007, 12:54 PM**

Thanks for the pics Stojko.
Anyone know if the Irving's are still looking to build a new HQ building??
It seems like months ago that they made the anouncement.

Seely32 · #**970** Posted **Sep 19, 2007, 2:29 PM**

Nice shots SJTOKO,

Wasn't east point going to make an anoucement on a new tenant today has anybody heard anything?

kirjtc2 · #**971** Posted **Sep 19, 2007, 2:32 PM**

Just announced on 88.9. It's Chapters.

michael_d40 · #**972** Posted **Sep 19, 2007, 2:39 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by kirjtc2

Just announced on 88.9. It's Chapters.

Well thats cool i guess, Odd though, because they said it was going to be a first for new brunswick, and well..... chapters isnt a first for NB.... UNLESS.... Its an Indigo store, and that, i guess would be a first for NB...

kwajo · #**973** Posted **Sep 19, 2007, 2:45 PM**

Maybe Chapters isn't the store that is a NB first?

The real question is, will they have a Starbucks in the Chapters? Cause then there would be 3 Starbucks locations in a 1 km^2 radius, which is near Tim Hortons-like density.

brandenp · #**974** Posted **Sep 19, 2007, 2:46 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by kwajo

Maybe Chapters isn't the store that is a NB first?

The real question is, will they have a Starbucks in the Chapters? Cause then there would be 3 Starbucks locations in a 1 km^2 radius, which is near Tim Hortons-like density.

Well SJ is crazy lately with growth, and new things, so i wouldnt doubt anything anymore around here

Seely32 · #**975** Posted **Sep 19, 2007, 2:54 PM**

It's about time we have a quality bookstore I am sick of going to coles and alot of the bookstores uptown just dont have a large enough selection. This always just draws more people out east which is going to make traffic worse and all those lights on the hill will be a hellhole around christmas.

ErickMontreal · #**976** Posted **Sep 19, 2007, 3:11 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by kwajo

Maybe Chapters isn't the store that is a NB first?

The real question is, will they have a Starbucks in the Chapters? Cause then there would be 3 Starbucks locations in a 1 km^2 radius, which is near Tim Hortons-like density.

Its a great news for SJ

. If its like the Charlottetown`s Indigo, there is no Starbuck in the store.

Helladog · #**977** Posted **Sep 19, 2007, 8:04 PM**

Well in saying it's a first for NB, maybe it's the first Chapters without a Starbucks...

...or the first Chapters in Saint John which makes it a "first" for NB...

BTW nice shots, SJTOKO. I like the cruise ship photos best.

Seely32 · #**978** Posted **Sep 19, 2007, 8:10 PM**

The starbucks would be the first freestanding starbucks in NB.

But nonetheless a chapters or indigo will go well.

michael_d40 · #**979** Posted **Sep 19, 2007, 8:22 PM**

Big book store coming to Saint John
September 19, 2007 - 3:59 pm
By: News 88.9 Staff - Jeffrey Lansing

SAINT JOHN, NB - The city's new east side shopping district continues to grow with another big announcement made Wednesday.

Indigo Books will plant a 20-thousand square foot store in the city's new east point shopping centre.

Spokesperson Drew McGowen says they've had Saint John on their radar for the past few years, but now the location is good, and the economy is booming.

"Three years ago, the economy wasn't what it is today," said McGowen.

McGowen says the store is a signature section of Indigo and will offer a boutique style interior, sure to leave an impression on customers.

"They'll see the most vibrant store they've ever seen," McGowen said, "because there is no other of its kind, except for in Montreal."

The unique store will be the first Indigo for Atlantic Canada, and is expected to be built by next spring.

Helladog · #**980** Posted **Sep 19, 2007, 8:23 PM**

...also found out today the new Starbucks at East Point should be ready in February.

Quote:

"They'll see the most vibrant store they've ever seen," McGowen said, "because there is no other of its kind, except for in Montreal."

The unique store will be the first Indigo for Atlantic Canada, and is expected to be built by next spring.

A first for Atlantic Canada, not just NB.