The Official Saint John, NB Project Thread

[Helladog]

Originally Posted by random11

I would like to see at least one of those covered enclosures (forget the right name for them) that connects the terminal directly to the aircraft so you don't have to walk outside. I think we should be able to get at least one of them - maybe with the new expansion?

After trying out the Westjet service to T.O. this Spring, I sent them a note telling them this would be a good idea. The only term I could find to describe it was "gangway".

I thought the enclosure was already included with past improvements, so I was disappointed to see we still didn't have one.

[Helladog]

Originally Posted by PostModernPrometheus

thanks for the picture update helladog .....my day turned out to be much busier than i had planned....i hope to be able to find out tomorrow what exactly is going on this site...

Judging by the lack of announcement, if I didn't know better, I'd think it was an Irving project. Maybe it's their HQ.

[Alberta Bound]

Originally Posted by Helladog

Judging by the lack of announcement, if I didn't know better, I'd think it was an Irving project. Maybe it's their HQ.

A search of the city council's minutes turned up a successful rezoning application (local business and four family residental to general business) by Irving for that site in Dec 1996 so they could build an "automotive station and retail convenience store". Must have been intended to replace the one they removed from the site.

Interesting to see if they kept this on the back burner for 11 years or if it will be something different.

[PostModernPrometheus]

I really *do* have to buy a new digital camera....

Some of the scaffolding/tarp came down off of part of the centrebeam renovations along canterbury st.; very nicely done open concept / bricks & beam office space on the 1st floor, large floor to ceiling windows....very tasteful....from the lights on in the upper levels, it looks like they've been also stripped down to the bricks & beam....would make beautiful condos....

[PostModernPrometheus]

The Empty Stocking Fund broadcasts today out of Brunswick Square . . . one of the sure signs Christmas is approaching . . .with all of the exciting development and investment / money starting to flow into the city, I'd encourage any who are able / willing to, to donate to this (or any number of other worthy initiatives) . . . poverty in our area is a reality, and we as a community will need to address this as this current economic boom moves forward.

cheers!

[PostModernPrometheus]

Originally Posted by random11

Just wondering if anybody has any new information on the Cruise Terminal development. I live on Germain near Horsefield and my deck overlooks the property and since the last cruise ship of the season departed and the tents came down, there hasn't been a single movement on the site. If I remember correctly, 'construction was set to start immediately upon the conclusion of the cruise ship season'. I'm not a planner however, simple math tells me they have roughly 6 months to get whatever is going there up and running for the start of next years cruise season - which incidently, we have been told will be the busiest in recent years. I'm going to be incredibly disappointed if the tents are back next year...

To the best of my knowledge, the terminal is still being touted to be up in time for the next cruise season....I'm hearing June being tossed around as the completion date....you are right, however...it seems like it will be cutting things a little tight when you look at what has (or hasn't) been done on the site to date....that being said, the contractors/construction folks in the area are getting rather efficient at quickly putting up new buildings...guess they must be getting lots of practice

[PostModernPrometheus]

Originally Posted by michael_d40

[airport Expansion] (chsj News)
Nov23/07/2:48pm

Meanwhile, The Saint John Airport Is Planning An Expansion Of Its Own. Chair David Barry Says The Increased Number Of Flights To The City Is Putting Pressure On The Airport Terminal.

Barry Says They Are In The Process Of Looking At Design Plans And Financing In Order To Expand The Terminal. He Says They Hope To Have An Idea Of Where They Would Like To Go With Construction In The New Year.

The story in today's TG indicates that the recent announcement of an increase in air capacity translates into an extra 15,000 seats going through the airport per year...Hopefully, the airport grabs the bull by the horns on this one & invest wisely into their infrastructure/long term plan.....

[kwajo]

The Empty Stocking Fund broadcasts today out of Brunswick Square . . . one of the sure signs Christmas is approaching . . .with all of the exciting development and investment / money starting to flow into the city, I'd encourage any who are able / willing to, to donate to this (or any number of other worthy initiatives) . . . poverty in our area is a reality, and we as a community will need to address this as this current economic boom moves forward.

I miss the Empty Stocking Fund, 11 years I was sung on that broadcast, and 6 of those years I appeared more than once during the day. It is a real institution in Saint John, and a part of who we are. I think this is the first time I will be away form the city during the show and won't be able to watch it, and I feel bad for not contributing in some way.

Enjoy the broadcast for me everyone!

[random11]

Originally Posted by Alberta Bound

A search of the city council's minutes turned up a successful rezoning application (local business and four family residental to general business) by Irving for that site in Dec 1996 so they could build an "automotive station and retail convenience store". Must have been intended to replace the one they removed from the site.

Interesting to see if they kept this on the back burner for 11 years or if it will be something different.

I personally just can't see Irving building a new "automotive station and retail convenience store" or something silimar in this location to replace the one they tore down years ago however, I understand that stranger things have happened. It is interesting to note that it's a JD Irving crane on site, lol, but I know they also own the 'crane' business in the area as well so that doesn't necessarily mean anything. I would have figured that the Telegraph would have been on this by now as to what exactly is going up there...

[SJTOKO]

Originally Posted by PostModernPrometheus

thanks for the picture update helladog .....my day turned out to be much busier than i had planned....i hope to be able to find out tomorrow what exactly is going on this site...

It's a strip mall, it was supposed to have been built years ago.... There was always a massive rendering on the site...

[michael_d40]

We need this posted on the main development page


Saint John Airport looking to expand

SAINT JOHN, NB - The Saint John airport is gaining more flights, but the facility itself may also grow.

Chair of the airport board David Barry says due to the airport's recent growth in flights, it now requires more space.

"Assuming continued Westjet service and Sun Wing," said Barry. "We have big capacity issues in the terminal building itself that we are addressing now."

Barry says they are in the process of looking at design plans for a terminal expansion.

Barry says they're still working on financial and construction details, but hopes to have a better idea for the project in the new year.

Yesterday Air Canada announced it would begin a direct flight service from Saint Jjohn to Ottawa.

[ErickMontreal]

Originally Posted by michael_d40

We need this posted on the main development page

Its done.

[Ronald Jack]

[/QUOTE]
If the information that the city is looking at a parcel of land is leaked, land speculators may purposely jack up the price.

But, Ferguson argues, if the city made its intentions to buy land known to everybody, then owners who artificially inflated the value of their land could be called out during expropriation[/QUOTE]

RE: LAND DEALS OPEN THE DOOR (Telegraph Journal Nov. 21) - Is "expropriation" really an element of this uptown project or is the word being thrown about lightly? Since when should ANY property owner be obligated to forfeit ownership to make way for an "Apple Pie" project? Has nothing been learned from previous experience? If land assemblers don't wish to pay what the legal owner wants for his "bundle of rights" to his urban property, why should the state, the province or the municipality step in with the option to confiscate it? "Expropriation" is a much dirtier and dangerous term than "land speculator".

[Helladog]

I think city hall should "expropriate" the land needed for he Coast Guard redevelopment.

[michael_d40]

Originally Posted by Alberta Bound

A search of the city council's minutes turned up a successful rezoning application (local business and four family residental to general business) by Irving for that site in Dec 1996 so they could build an "automotive station and retail convenience store". Must have been intended to replace the one they removed from the site.

Interesting to see if they kept this on the back burner for 11 years or if it will be something different.

[NEW OFFICE BUILDING FOR NORTH END]
NOV26/07 10:50PM

THE CITY’S NEWEST OFFICE BUILDING IS GOING UP AT THE CORNER OF SOMERSET AND WELSLEY -- A LOW RISE OFFICE BUILDING IS UNDER CONSTRUCTION ON LAND OWNED BY IRVING OIL.
IRVING SPOKESPERSON JENNIFER PARKER TELLS CHSJ NEWS IT HAS NOTHING TO DO WITH TALK OF A NEW CORPORATE HEADQUARTERS.
PARKER SAYS SHE CAN’T CONFIRM A TENANT AT THE MOMENT.
THE COMPANY RAN INTO STIFF OPPOSITION YEARS AGO WITH PLANS FOR A LARGE CONVENIENCE STORE AND SERVICE OPERATION ON THE SITE.

[Alberta Bound]

Irving Oil takes next step in bid for second Saint John refinery

Irving Oil took the next step Monday towards a proposed second refinery in Saint John.

The company announced it has submitted with the New Brunswick government how it plans to complete the environmental impact assessment for the project.

The submission is in response to provincial environmental impact assessment guidelines. The company has also given the document to the federal government and released it for public review.

Irving has proposed building a new refinery in the Red Head area of Saint John, not far from the company's existing refinery.

The new facility would have a capacity of up to 300,000 barrels per day, which would double the current output.

"The environmental permitting process for this project will be rigorous, and we are committed to completing a comprehensive and thorough assessment and designing a new refinery using proven environmental technology to minimize potential environmental effects," Kevin Scott, director of refining growth for Irving Oil, said in a news release.

"It's still early in the project, and although our team is working hard, a second refinery is not a certainty, and a lot still needs to happen before we can make a final decision to go ahead."

The company is looking for a partner and has said it won't make a decision on whether to proceed with the $5 billion to $7 billion project until 2009.

The federal government isn't participating in an environmental impact assessment for a second refinery, leaving it up to the province.

The federal government would restrict its review to the impact on the fishery from of a proposed breakwater and wharf that would be constructed to serve the new oil refinery.

That decision has angered the Conservation Council of New Brunswick, which argues the refinery could have an impact on Nova Scotia and Maine so the environmental review should involve the federal government.

"This is a victory for Irving Oil, which argued in its filing documents that it would prefer that the federal government not carry out an environmental review of the refinery operations, but leave this to the provincial Department of Environment," David Coon, policy director for the council, said last week.

"The review of the refinery will take place behind closed doors by the provincial public service."

Jennifer Parker, a spokeswoman for Irving Oil, said the company is committed to a thorough and comprehensive environmental impact assessment.

[PostModernPrometheus]

[NEW OFFICE BUILDING FOR NORTH END]
NOV26/07 10:50PM

THE CITY’S NEWEST OFFICE BUILDING IS GOING UP AT THE CORNER OF SOMERSET AND WELSLEY -- A LOW RISE OFFICE BUILDING IS UNDER CONSTRUCTION ON LAND OWNED BY IRVING OIL.
IRVING SPOKESPERSON JENNIFER PARKER TELLS CHSJ NEWS IT HAS NOTHING TO DO WITH TALK OF A NEW CORPORATE HEADQUARTERS.
PARKER SAYS SHE CAN’T CONFIRM A TENANT AT THE MOMENT.
THE COMPANY RAN INTO STIFF OPPOSITION YEARS AGO WITH PLANS FOR A LARGE CONVENIENCE STORE AND SERVICE OPERATION ON THE SITE.


Ahhhh...mystery solved...thank you.

[Helladog]

Originally Posted by PostModernPrometheus

[NEW OFFICE BUILDING FOR NORTH END]
NOV26/07 10:50PM

THE CITY’S NEWEST OFFICE BUILDING IS GOING UP AT THE CORNER OF SOMERSET AND WELSLEY -- A LOW RISE OFFICE BUILDING IS UNDER CONSTRUCTION ON LAND OWNED BY IRVING OIL.
IRVING SPOKESPERSON JENNIFER PARKER TELLS CHSJ NEWS IT HAS NOTHING TO DO WITH TALK OF A NEW CORPORATE HEADQUARTERS.
PARKER SAYS SHE CAN’T CONFIRM A TENANT AT THE MOMENT.
THE COMPANY RAN INTO STIFF OPPOSITION YEARS AGO WITH PLANS FOR A LARGE CONVENIENCE STORE AND SERVICE OPERATION ON THE SITE.


Ahhhh...mystery solved...thank you.

I thought it was funny when I pulled up to the DQ lot in my Taurus to take pictures...everyone who was standing or sitting around went straigt back to work.

Wonder if they thought it was an "Irving" car?

[Seely32]

Heritage Development Board

ITEM 8.0 OTHER BUSINESS
ITEM 8.1 PROPOSED DEVELOPMENT NORTH OF UNION
The Chair advised she had a meeting with the Common Clerk and there seemed to be
little room for discussion, partially because of the widening of the street, and partially
because of the magnitude of the proposed development.
Bob McVicar commented while he was certainly not opposed to densification, the
development needs to be done in such a manner that pedestrian scaled facades and
streetscapes are retained. He felt the Board should push hard to ensure their input is not
only heard but valued.
Leona Laracey commented that there seems to be something missing from this
development process. Over the years, and more recently there has been a great deal of
discussion with respect to the development of a comprehensive plan for the waterfront
area, and the southern peninsula. This new proposed development seems to be happening
outside a process that would include Community Planning. She agreed with Mr.
McVicar’s earlier comments that the Board’s voice should be heard.
Jim Bezanson commented the proposed development appears to use the 1950’s approach
of responding to cars rather than people, which may be a hangover from the 1970’s
notion that there would be 225,000 people in Saint John by the turn of the century. The
second point of concern was the plan to extend the pedway. In his opinion the current
pedway system works well in attracting conventions. He indicated Saint John would soon
need to make a choice: either we have a lively vibrant internal pedway connection, or
Heritage Development Board Minutes - 10 - October 29, 2007
lively downtown streetscapes and storefronts. He commented there were currently
enough citizens in the city to support both, but continuing to focus on internal pedways
would put vibrant streetscapes at risk.
The Heritage Development Officer further commented that the argument with respect to
increasing densification by building high-rise towers does not work. Other cities across
North America have found that you can achieve a higher density with buildings 4-6
stories in height, than can be achieved in 10-12 storey towers, which need to be separated
far enough from one another so that residents are not looking into their neighbours’
windows.
The Heritage Development Officer suggested the Board should be sending a message that
it is in favour of development, that heritage and development can co-exist, and that it
would like to see development that is of its own time (i.e. 2008) and fits in the context of
Saint John’s sense of place, as provided by heritage architecture, as opposed to
‘downtown anywhere’.
Hazel Braithwaite commented she would be in favour of similar community involvement
as was demonstrated in the Waterfront Development plans.


--4-6 stories makes me sick to my stomach. We have a chance at a devlopment that could change the appearance our city for decades and they are worried about the height. It seems to me they are stuck in the the early 20th century to late 19th. At 4 to 6 we have no room to grow if our city has a further boom we are stuck with a bunch of low-rise buildings and looking to build again. We already have enough of those buildings not taken care of and empty. They do love to throw in digs though.

[ErickMontreal]

"Other cities across North America have found that you can achieve a higher density with buildings 4-6 stories in height, than can be achieved in 10-12 storey towers, which need to be separated far enough from one another so that residents are not looking into their neighbours’ windows."

They certainly talk about Moncton....