The Official Saint John, NB Project Thread

[Seely32]

anyone know when the next public hearing is even though its completely "behind closed doors" I would love to be there and support this development.

And kwajo,

if you dont mind what was the sites argument against building this.

[Helladog]

Originally Posted by Seely32

anyone know when the next public hearing is even though its completely "behind closed doors" I would love to be there and support this development.

And kwajo,

if you dont mind what was the sites argument against building this.

On the City of Saint John web-site, you can find e-mail addresses for all of the councilors. I'd say, give 'em your input.

http://www.saintjohn.ca/

[Helladog]

Gaming corporation sees New Brunswick as prime property

DAVID SHIPLEY
TELEGRAPH-JOURNAL
Published Saturday December 1st, 2007
Appeared on page A2

The Great Canadian Gaming Corporation thinks a casino in New Brunswick is a good bet.

"We feel we bring a great mix of gaming and entertainment to the table," said Howard Blank, vice-president for corporate communications with the Richmond, B.C.-based firm. "You folks have a good tourism market with your proximity to the U.S."

Blank said Great Canadian's executive management team began looking at New Brunswick after the provincial government announced their responsible gaming strategy on Nov. 8.

Blank said the $1.5 billion publicly traded company is considering submitting up to three proposals in front of the provincial government. The province has requested proposals from private companies to build a single gambling venue as a major tourist attraction.

Proposals will be evaluated by KPMG LLC, a global business consultancy. Proposals are due by March and a final decision will be made in May. A winning bidder will be expected to have their facility open by May 2010.

The approved bid will have between 400 and 800 electronic gaming devices, 12 conventional table games and a mix of a poker area, keno, off-track betting and a lottery ticket kiosk. The potential businesses are also being asked to consider spin-off operations such as a horse track, a hotel, performance theatre, convention centre, restaurants and other recreational facilities.

Blank said Great Canadian's 15 properties in Canada and the U.S. - including Casino Nova Scotia in Halifax - offer a variety of entertainment, from gaming to theatres and lounges to horse racing.

"Live entertainment at (Casino) Nova Scotia has become a big hit."

Great Canadian has not determined a location for a casino and will consider Moncton, Saint John and Fredericton - even though the mayor of the Capital City has rejected the notion of casino in his community. The company has two options when it comes to Fredericton, he said.

"One, you can skip (Fredericton), or two you can show (city hall) the proposal and say 'this is what we have in mind and did you realize it's this?'"

Many people have misconceptions about what modern destination gaming facilities offer, Blank said.

"I think people believe casinos are often dirty, smoke-filled, crime-ridden properties, when nothing could be further from the truth," he said.

Modern casinos offer a mix of dining and entertainment options, he added.

"My favourite thing is to watch people come into our facilities and literally get that 'wow' look on their face (and say), 'I had no idea this was all here.'"

Each facility is tailored to the needs of its host community, said Blank.

Executives from Great Canadian will tour the province as part of the process of putting their proposal together, he said. In addition to Great Canadian, several other local and out-of-province organizations are considering putting in casino proposals. Groups in Saint John and Moncton have already come forward with plans to build multi-purpose complexes that include gaming.

[Alberta Bound]

Originally Posted by Seely32

anyone know when the next public hearing is even though its completely "behind closed doors" I would love to be there and support this development.

And kwajo,

if you dont mind what was the sites argument against building this.

This is a site with some info on the project.
http://opensaintjohn.blogspot.com/

There is also a related facebook site, ""North of Union historic buildings in Saint John NB: Landmarks not Landfill!"
http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=7245284477

[PersonPlaceorThing]

Who else heard Roly McIntyre say that the old YMCA site is not guaranteed to be where the justice complex goes?

Also, does anyone find it strange that local politicians (at least Hooton on Thursday) are saying that the public wants a new police station. I know for one, this was not something I had on my wish list for city hall.

[Ronald Jack]

Originally Posted by kwajo

This is the closest angle I could find of what the site currently looks like (I tried to crop it to approximately match the rendering). As you can see, there are a lot of empty lots in the area, even along Dorchester, which adds to the appeal of redeveloping the whole thing (as long as it is done with care for the current residents)

Kwajo -You have indeed cropped that photo just right! May I have permission to use it in my Blogspot column... The Lost Valley...?
I'll credit you of course. (I've got to find a vintage aerial to match it.)

As to the design of the proposed redevelopment... realize
that it is a very preliminary model and, as you have pointed out in the Forum, developers tend to cheap out on materials when they factor in escalating labour and material costs. Here on the Left Coast we are starting to
witness cancelled projects and we have the incredible
new phenomenon of building labour coming in from the
Punjab on tourist visas, being paid in cash, and flying
home after a couple of months. I assume that S.J. is equally hurting for skilled trades over the next five years?

Your photo does give Forum readers a better idea of all the
uptown parking lots so many have complained of here. I was amused to read Mr. Rocca's published comment that Prince Edward Square mall
will soon need to be demolished. I remember the general feeling of happiness when it opened for business. But then again I remember the
giddiness when the first McDonald's restaurant opened in S.J.

Is there any way to entice some of the "players" to decloak and participate in this Forum?
Perhaps a formal invitation from the moderator?

P.S. I did check out that brand new "Open Saint John" Blog you referenced. It is unsigned I see,
which makes it sort of a vehicle for urban planning agit-prop. Who do you suppose is behind it? I have chanced upon
a couple of signed Blogs by men who are clearly positioning themselves for a run at the S.J. Mayoralty.
One of them, I recall, works for Ontario Health, but has Saint John roots. With respect to that new Blog you
mentioned, there is a link on "Open Saint John" to an Ottawa politician who is promoting a book which
hitches onto the Global Warming bandwagon. Is he the Blog author, do you think? Source does matter.

[Alberta Bound]

I posted this for the mention of Saint John's economic activity index. It ranked pretty well and ahead of cities such as Quebec City, Halifax, Kitchener, Sudbury, London, Hamilton, St. John's, Kingston, Thunder Bay, and St. Catharines-Niagara.

----------------------------------------------------------------------

Edmonton's economy hottest in Canada: CIBC
Western city tops ranking for first time as Calgary slips into second spot

OTTAWA -- Edmonton's weather may be cold but its economy isn't, says CIBC World Markets, which reported Monday that the Alberta capital has the hottest local economy in Canada, surpassing Calgary.

Montreal, Toronto and Vancouver also rank high in economic activity, while there's little economic momentum in the national capital region of Ottawa-Gatineau, according to CIBC's economic activity index, which is based on nine economic variables.

"For the first time on record, the city of Edmonton tops our city ranking in terms of economic momentum," it said, crediting strong population growth, impressive employment gains, low unemployment rate, and below-average personal and corporate insolvency rates.

Calgary, meanwhile, slipped into second spot with a score of 24.5, compared with 30.1 for Edmonton. Calgary's slippage reflects what the report said was a slowdown in the pace of job creation momentum in the city -- less than that of Edmonton, Saskatoon and Victoria -- and a cooler housing market.

Saskatoon reached third spot with a score of 23.7, propelled by strong job and population growth, and the hottest housing market in the country.

"Interestingly, Montreal is currently enjoying some renewed momentum," the report said, noting that Montreal's third-place score of 22.8 -- the only other city with a ranking above 20 -- indicated improvement in labour and housing market activity. However, the report cautioned that the momentum in Montreal's industrial economy -- based on data up to September -- is not likely sustainable with a loonie at or near parity with the U.S. dollar.

Toronto, the country's largest city, had a consistently strong showing in the rankings with a score of 17.5. This reflects the growing diversity of the city, which has the fourth-fastest population growth in the country, and which boasts relatively high-quality employment. However, its labour market is softening with below-average job growth and above-average unemployment of 7%.

Vancouver's ranking, at 17.3, just slightly below Toronto's, is due to the fact that -- while it did not excel in any area -- the city was above average in many areas, including strong population and job growth.

Among the larger cities, Ottawa-Gatineau had the lowest ranking at just 4.7, reflecting what the report's author CIBC economist Benjamin Tal said was "some softening in employment growth, housing activity and non-residential building permits." There has been a cooling in the city's large high-tech sector, which was very strong over the past two years.

The other cities and their rankings were: Sherbrooke 16.3, Victoria 15.8, Trois-Rivieres 13.6, Regina 12.5, Saint John 11.4, Quebec City 10.2, Halifax 9.1, Kitchener 8.8, Greater Sudbury 7.9, London 7.8, Hamilton 6.0, St. John's 5.5, Kingston 3.4, Thunder Bay 3.0, St. Catharines-Niagara 2.4.

Two cities had negative readings -- Saguenay -2.8 and Windsor -3.3 -- highlighting the difficulties in their manufacturing sectors.

"The recent appreciation in the dollar and the weakening in the U.S. economy are probably adding another layer of difficulties facing those cities," the report said.

[Seely32]

Well energy is going a long way it makes sense overrall. Look at the top two spots on list list in energy rich alberta. They seem to be capitalizing on it and it's kind of sad that we havent hit it with full speed yet. We are merely in a proposal stage and everything that seems to be happening is pure speculation on some levels. I mean retail is coming along very nice but we have alot of big projects on the way and there seems to be more red tape then a pat on the back for turning our economy around. I guess some people enjoy the past even if it was shit for alot of years. You dont see northrup having to disclose his plans to the public you can't even take a picture of his model, but for someone reason no one in the city could care. Even with the gaudy sportlights that pollute our city year round there is nothing. A development that could change our city for decades comes along and even though all big projects should have some say from the public we are more willing to vote against it then for it. All we need to happen is let the window of opportunity pass us by and were stuck with some gems and a bunch of shit that needs to be torn down. You cant hold on the past forever, yes its part of our city but it can not be at our city's expense.

end rant.

p.s.

There was a buck stuck on the site at somerset and wellesley yesterday morning pretty funny its was a 10 pointer.

[Helladog]

p.s.

There was a buck stuck on the site at somerset and wellesley yesterday morning pretty funny its was a 10 pointer.

That's a star buck!

[Helladog]

City bus officials satisfy neighbours

Khalid Malik
Telegraph-Journal
Published Wednesday December 5th, 2007
Appeared on page C4



SAINT JOHN - Noise from buses that are idling and as they leave and enter the garage were some of the major concerns of people soon to be the Saint John Transit Commission's neighbours at its planned new facility in East Saint John.

But general manager Frank McCarey said that residents were satisfied once they were told the buses will be inside the building for about five minutes, will be leaving and entering from the McDonald Street side and will use Loch Lomond Road to go to destinations east and west.

"It is a wonderful facility," said Bernie Melanson who lives at 240 Loch Lomond Rd. His property backs on to the garage. "Who wouldn't want it? I am all for it. It is a great building."

The new $20-million operations centre will be located at a seven-acre lot at the corner of Loch Lomond and McDonald. The garage itself will occupy about 110,000 square feet or about two-and-a-half acres. It will have an entrance on Tiffany Street, which will be used for delivery trucks.

McCarey said an effort has been made to keep the building away from the residential area because transit officials knew the noise will be an issue.

He said the commission went door to door to inform people about Tuesday night's information session. A total of 35 people showed up, according to the commission's count, but about 15 people stayed around for the formal presentation on the new facility.

A resident asked if the buses will be using Mount Pleasant Avenue East to go to the uptown. McCarey said Mount Pleasant and the causeway would be the shortest route, but if people have any concerns the commission could use Loch Lomond Road.

McCarey said a lot of people were pleasantly surprised that they new facility is "not going to be a barn up the hill. It will be a real beautiful building for a bus garage."

The main building is divided into three sections - the front office, bus maintenance garage and bus parking area. A separate building at the back will be for storage of old buses, which the commission uses for parts.

The commission's current facility on Fairville Boulevard was built in 1982 and was meant to be used for 10 years.

"The current location is being used to full capacity and further growth is impossible," McCarey said.

The current facility will, however, be used for another year or so with the construction of the new building is expected to start in July 2008 and is scheduled for completion by May 2009.

The new garage can store 62 buses, not counting the space in the maintenance bay and circulation area. The commission currently has 56 buses.

It will be built to LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) green building rating system standard and will not block any views, McCarey said.

Following the presentation a man asked if the commission could put a fence around the building because it would discourage all-terrain vehicles that currently roam the area and ruin St, Mary's heritage cemetery. McCarey said the commission could put up a fence, although it was planning to plant trees along the perimeter.

[michael_d40]

I guess its a go now eh

Apartments
Water Street sale complete

Common council agreed this week to sell a piece of land on Water Street that John Rocca of Ellerdale Investments intends to develop into a condo complex. The building would straddle Prince William and Water streets, with two towers separated by an outdoor plaza. It will likely be a mix of bachelor, one- and two-bedroom apartments, although Rocca has said he's not sure how many units it would have. The sale price was $450,000.

[PostModernPrometheus]

That's great news re: the Ellerdale project; one step closer to reality...regardless of it's final appearance (i.e., the height of the propsoed towers, etc) it's a huge improvement over what's occupying that space right now, and it will increase foot traffic in the area

[random11]

A Saint John City Councilor is speaking out re: Union Street development. Details here:

http://www.facebook.com/topic.php?uid=7245284477&topic=3518

[Helladog]

City sells land on West Side
Development Officials optimistic Canadian Tire, Sobeys projects will go ahead

John Mazerolle
Telegraph-Journal
Published Thursday December 6th, 2007
Appeared on page C1

SAINT JOHN - The arrival of a second Wal-Mart was supposed to attract more businesses to the West Side, including new Sobeys and Canadian Tire locations. Wal-Mart decided to walk away this summer, but now it appears Canadian Tire and Sobeys might go big anyway.

The city recently approved the sale of city-owned property on Fairville Boulevard to Plazacorp Property Holdings Inc., which is working with the two Canadian companies. And city manager Terry Totten said the city's transit commission is simultaneously selling its land there to Plaza as it prepares to move to a new headquarters on the East Side.

The complete tract of land is big enough to house a Wal-Mart, the Canadian Tire and the Sobeys, says Mayor Norm McFarlane. So while Wal-Mart has decided against the site, Totten and McFarlane both say they are optimistic the other two developments will come through.

One of the conditions in the agreement with Plaza is that before April 17, 2008, "the retail development ... has been approved by the board of directors of Canadian Tire Corporation and Sobeys Inc."

Plaza is buying the combined tracts of land for $2.5 million, as is, where is, just as the plan had been when Wal-Mart walked away in August.

Plaza develops, redevelops and acquires retail real estate throughout Atlantic Canada, Quebec and Ontario. The company owns retail properties and shopping centres anchored by major national and regional retailers, including several strip malls in Saint John.

Wal-Mart told Plaza it would not be opening a second Saint John store on Fairville Boulevard because it had decided to abandon expansion in much of the country.

McFarlane was as optimistic about the Wal-Mart deal as he is about Sobeys and Canadian Tire, so he knows that anything can happen. "You never know till people sign on the bottom line," the mayor said.

The city promises to hand all of the land over no later than June 30.

McFarlane remains bullish on the West Side's prospects, and says once any store "gets the cluster started," others will quickly follow suit. "I just think the West Side is going to see a lot of retail development in the next couple of years - not just that spot, but other places, too."

He said one of the difficulties of development is that one can never tell a retailer where to set up shop, but the 72-year-old says he's confident that Wal-Mart will arrive in the West Side in his lifetime.

-----------==============================------------

Irving Oil looking at wind farm
Energy Company installing two weather towers in Red Head area to collect data

Telegraph-Journal
Published Thursday December 6th, 2007
Appeared on page C4

SAINT JOHN - As it looks beyond a proposed second oil refinery to potential sources of renewable energy such as wind energy and tidal power, Irving Oil is hoping to install a pair of weather towers in the Red Head area in the next few weeks.

In a letter to residents of the East Side neighbourhood, Irving Oil explains that it is "exploring the potential of renewable energy opportunities, including wind energy and tidal power."

The company explains that part of studying the potential for such developments involves coming up with a location that will allow it to monitor weather conditions to see if they are conducive to a wind farm, for example. The letter notes that the area's weather conditions demonstrate potential for a wind energy project and the company wants to look at integrating wind power with the proposed second refinery.

Pending approval from the city of Saint John's planning advisory committee, the company hopes to install two weather towers in the neighbourhood during the next month. One would be located at the top of Red Head Mountain, while the other would sit near the Irving Canaport terminal. Similar to cellular communications towers, they would be about 60 metres tall.

The company would install the towers on weekdays during regular business hours. Irving Oil informs residents that during installation of the towers they could notice noise from tree-cutting that would happen as part of the towers' installation.

Once the proposed towers are installed, Irving Oil says they would collect weather data for at least one to two years. The towers would collect this data through sensors located at three different heights along each tower. The data would then be used to determine whether the area would be a good location for a wind energy project in the future.

Further information is available from Jill Johnston at 202-5483 or [email protected].

[random11]

Originally Posted by Helladog

City sells land on West Side
Development Officials optimistic Canadian Tire, Sobeys projects will go ahead

John Mazerolle
Telegraph-Journal
Published Thursday December 6th, 2007
Appeared on page C1

SAINT JOHN - The arrival of a second Wal-Mart was supposed to attract more businesses to the West Side, including new Sobeys and Canadian Tire locations. Wal-Mart decided to walk away this summer, but now it appears Canadian Tire and Sobeys might go big anyway.

The city recently approved the sale of city-owned property on Fairville Boulevard to Plazacorp Property Holdings Inc., which is working with the two Canadian companies. And city manager Terry Totten said the city's transit commission is simultaneously selling its land there to Plaza as it prepares to move to a new headquarters on the East Side.

The complete tract of land is big enough to house a Wal-Mart, the Canadian Tire and the Sobeys, says Mayor Norm McFarlane. So while Wal-Mart has decided against the site, Totten and McFarlane both say they are optimistic the other two developments will come through.

One of the conditions in the agreement with Plaza is that before April 17, 2008, "the retail development ... has been approved by the board of directors of Canadian Tire Corporation and Sobeys Inc."

Plaza is buying the combined tracts of land for $2.5 million, as is, where is, just as the plan had been when Wal-Mart walked away in August.

Plaza develops, redevelops and acquires retail real estate throughout Atlantic Canada, Quebec and Ontario. The company owns retail properties and shopping centres anchored by major national and regional retailers, including several strip malls in Saint John.

Wal-Mart told Plaza it would not be opening a second Saint John store on Fairville Boulevard because it had decided to abandon expansion in much of the country.

McFarlane was as optimistic about the Wal-Mart deal as he is about Sobeys and Canadian Tire, so he knows that anything can happen. "You never know till people sign on the bottom line," the mayor said.

The city promises to hand all of the land over no later than June 30.

McFarlane remains bullish on the West Side's prospects, and says once any store "gets the cluster started," others will quickly follow suit. "I just think the West Side is going to see a lot of retail development in the next couple of years - not just that spot, but other places, too."

He said one of the difficulties of development is that one can never tell a retailer where to set up shop, but the 72-year-old says he's confident that Wal-Mart will arrive in the West Side in his lifetime.

-----------==============================------------

Irving Oil looking at wind farm
Energy Company installing two weather towers in Red Head area to collect data

Telegraph-Journal
Published Thursday December 6th, 2007
Appeared on page C4

SAINT JOHN - As it looks beyond a proposed second oil refinery to potential sources of renewable energy such as wind energy and tidal power, Irving Oil is hoping to install a pair of weather towers in the Red Head area in the next few weeks.

In a letter to residents of the East Side neighbourhood, Irving Oil explains that it is "exploring the potential of renewable energy opportunities, including wind energy and tidal power."

The company explains that part of studying the potential for such developments involves coming up with a location that will allow it to monitor weather conditions to see if they are conducive to a wind farm, for example. The letter notes that the area's weather conditions demonstrate potential for a wind energy project and the company wants to look at integrating wind power with the proposed second refinery.

Pending approval from the city of Saint John's planning advisory committee, the company hopes to install two weather towers in the neighbourhood during the next month. One would be located at the top of Red Head Mountain, while the other would sit near the Irving Canaport terminal. Similar to cellular communications towers, they would be about 60 metres tall.

The company would install the towers on weekdays during regular business hours. Irving Oil informs residents that during installation of the towers they could notice noise from tree-cutting that would happen as part of the towers' installation.

Once the proposed towers are installed, Irving Oil says they would collect weather data for at least one to two years. The towers would collect this data through sensors located at three different heights along each tower. The data would then be used to determine whether the area would be a good location for a wind energy project in the future.

Further information is available from Jill Johnston at 202-5483 or [email protected].

I think this should have been looked at at least 5-8 years ago however, I am happy that Irving it examining it now. Wind power is huge and anybody who lives in the Maritimes - specifically along the coastal areas - is all too aware of the climate Mother Nature provides with respect to wind. Seriously, if proper testing and planning is explored, who knows what the possible ramifications could be? I think this is great.

[SJTOKO]

It's the weekend and i'm listeing to some tunes. This post is dedicated to Saint John's Hiphop scene.... enjoy... http://www.zshare.net/audio/54384056a8663b/

[kwajo]

I think this should have been looked at at least 5-8 years ago however, I am happy that Irving it examining it now. Wind power is huge and anybody who lives in the Maritimes - specifically along the coastal areas - is all too aware of the climate Mother Nature provides with respect to wind. Seriously, if proper testing and planning is explored, who knows what the possible ramifications could be? I think this is great.

I agree, and I have been hearing rumblings about an Irving wind project for a couple years now, so it's nice to have them finally go public with it.

I always envisioned the old Gold mine at Cape Spencer being the ideal place for a large-scale wind farm (not just one or two turbines, but a dozens of them). It's extremely windy, virtually no-one lives out there to be disturbed by it, yet it is only minutes from the city, and it is on land that can't really be used for anything else right now. Plus I think it would look really cool for the cruise ships coming in to see a rocky, ragged coats lined with graceful wind turbines to contrast our large industrial base.

[kwajo]

Originally Posted by SJTOKO

It's the weekend and i'm listeing to some tunes. This post is dedicated to Saint John's Hiphop scene.... enjoy... http://www.zshare.net/audio/54384056a8663b/

haha! that was hilarious, and depressingly pessimistic about the city (saying that there's nothing to do, all call centre workers, etc.). I loved the part about the people that just drive around King Square repeatedly.

Who was the rapper btw?

[SJTOKO]

Originally Posted by kwajo

haha! that was hilarious, and depressingly pessimistic about the city (saying that there's nothing to do, all call centre workers, etc.). I loved the part about the people that just drive around King Square repeatedly.

Who was the rapper btw?

Microphone Jones... (Vet Cru)

[Alberta Bound]

Renewal planned for Reversing Falls Development: Waterfront partnership aims to redesign entire visiting area for popular phenomenon and to brand site like Magnetic Hill

SAINT JOHN - The Saint John Waterfront Development Partnership wants to reverse the law of diminishing returns at Reversing Falls.

"It's one of the most popular tourist destinations, but over the years it's been looking a little bit tired," general manager Ross Jefferson said Monday.

The partnership plans to redesign the entire Reversing Falls visiting area, as well as Fallsview Park on the eastern side of the river. Jefferson and president Bill MacMackin say the development will send Harbour Passage westward, allow for private investment, increase access for boaters, make the science of the phenomenon clearer, and allow the site to be branded as an attraction like Magnetic Hill in Moncton.

"It's not high on people's lists for promotion, including [for] the province," Jefferson said. "It's time for a renewal in that area."

A request for proposals will go out in January, asking for a grand vision for the area, as well as a brand to be built on. The partnership will then work with the concept designs, primary stakeholders and the public to come up with smaller, manageable projects that can be completed on the way toward the master plan. It's essentially the same process that led to the creation of Harbour Passage.

MacMackin said he hopes the first actual work to begin in 2009 at the latest, and he holds out hope it could begin as early as next year.

The partnership - the city and provincial governments, the port authority, the board of trade, Enterprise Saint John, Uptown Saint John, and the Saint John Development Corporation - recently held a planning session that reviewed 30 possible projects listed in the Saint John [area].