The Official Saint John, NB Project Thread

[Helladog]

Originally Posted by stu_pendousmat2

Man it would stink to lose or have to scale down a nice downtown development over "sight lines"...might want to talk to the halifax crew about that, they won a similar battle regarding the "Twisted Sisters".

It's already been scaled back from 10 floors...this is Rocca's last go...

[Helladog]

Originally Posted by kwajo

I've been wondering this for a while - maybe it's time for those of us on the forum, if we haven't already, to actually express our viewpoints to the city on these development issues. If a bunch of random citizen can complain about something, then why can't we equally send letters stating our support for them.

This Rocca development seems like a good example. I'm seriously considering mailing several letters to Norm, Jim Baird, etc. this week telling them that I support higher-density housing developments in the Uptown core and that I personally feel as if limiting the height of new buildings would be a detriment to the city and a wasted opportunity.

(and as a P.S., I think I'll add: "So when's the Cruise Ship Welcome Centre breaking ground?" )

They've all heard from me from time to time, most of them carry their blackberries with them; I get responses almost immediately sometimes...here's the e-mail addresses:

Norm McFarlane: [email protected]
Michelle Hootin:: [email protected]
Jay Chang: [email protected]
Stephen Chase: [email protected]
Ivan Court: [email protected]
Bill Farren: [email protected]
John Ferguson: [email protected]
Peter McGuire: [email protected]
Glen Tait: [email protected]
Chris Titus: [email protected]
Carl White: [email protected]

[kwajo]

lol I definitely won't be emailing Jay Chang - he and I had a little skirmish on the phone once because of a facebook incident where I subverted one of his political groups about the Telegraph Journal being a tabloid. Ah memories...

[PostModernPrometheus]

Originally Posted by Helladog

They've all heard from me from time to time, most of them carry their blackberries with them; I get responses almost immediately sometimes...here's the e-mail addresses:

Norm McFarlane: [email protected]
Michelle Hootin:: [email protected]
Jay Chang: [email protected]
Stephen Chase: [email protected]
Ivan Court: [email protected]
Bill Farren: [email protected]
John Ferguson: [email protected]
Peter McGuire: [email protected]
Glen Tait: [email protected]
Chris Titus: [email protected]
Carl White: [email protected]

Ty for the addresses...lol...I've already started composing a few emails re: various projects

[random11]

Originally Posted by PostModernPrometheus

Ty for the addresses...lol...I've already started composing a few emails re: various projects

Ditto. I think this is a great idea. I have fired off five emails this evening. I think the forum is terrific and collectively, we can impact it's own true growth by reaching out and being heard.

[Seely32]

I do feel this forum collectively has some great ideas even though we may disagree on small things we all genuinely have the same path for the city.

I have been conjuring up some emails.

[Helladog]

We may not own a pizza parlor, or any biz uptown, but as residents, we have some clout...perhaps...

[PersonPlaceorThing]

Here a few YMCA tear down photos I took a few minutes ago.

[michael_d40]

Originally Posted by PersonPlaceorThing

Here a few YMCA tear down photos I took a few minutes ago.

Thanks for the pics, Im glad to see its finally coming down, I will have to head over there later on and take a quick peak

[PostModernPrometheus]

Thanks for the pics PPT

Good to see tangible movement on this! Out with the old...in with the new..
The "North of Union" forum may be a good spot to put photo updates in the coming months of demolition/ construction specifically related to this area....

[PostModernPrometheus]

Eighty-eight units to be levelled in North End
January 23, 2008 - 7:05 pm
By: Denise Miller - News 88.9 Staff


SAINT JOHN - With word of eighty-eight public housing units in the cities North End being mowed down to make way for a new neighbourhood, the city's mayor is ecstatic about what this means for residents.

In a move that will change the face of the North End, the possibilities are endless according to Social Development Minister Mary Schryer.

The units will be levelled after the current residents are moved at no cost into other subsidized housing.

Mayor Norm McFarlane told News 88.9, this is a win-win situation for the residents of Crescent Valley and the city.

"I can't find any negatives because they've done it right," he said.

"They've met with the residents before they started and actually there's an office set up this morning and the residents are all working with them. They've designated a staff person to be there with them until this thing takes, they feel about twenty months to get everybody moved out."

McFarlane hopes to see mixed income housing rise up in its place because he feels it's worked elsewhere and it could work here as well.

Meantime, the keeper of the city's social development portfolio, councillor Peter McGuire is very pleased with the announcement.

He told News 88.9 that this project goes beyond new housing, it has the potential to change lives.

McGuire said this is more than just the revitalization of the Rifle Range - - it's the revitalization of the entire Crescent Valley area.

[random11]

Originally Posted by michael_d40

Thanks for the pics, Im glad to see its finally coming down, I will have to head over there later on and take a quick peak

I watched some of the demolition today from my office in the Aliant tower. Personally, I was glad to see it coming down. Sure signs of movement indeed! Unlike the cruise terminal

[random11]

Originally Posted by Seely32

I do feel this forum collectively has some great ideas even though we may disagree on small things we all genuinely have the same path for the city.

I have been conjuring up some emails.

I thought I would share that I received email responses back from McFarlane and Titus. Interestingly enough, I did not get a reponse from the others, including Court, Chase and Hooton - among others.

[Helladog]

Originally Posted by random11

I thought I would share that I received email responses back from McFarlane and Titus. Interestingly enough, I did not get a reponse from the others, including Court, Chase and Hooton - among others.

I agree, it's nice to get a response, even a simple, thanks for your message.

Usually half respond...Norm always does...Hootin never does.

Nice to see the Y finally coming down...sign of something to come. Thx for the pix, PPT!

[Seely32]

Would anybody like to share what they sent off or what the response was if any?

[random11]

Originally Posted by Seely32

Would anybody like to share what they sent off or what the response was if any?

I will! Because even though I appreciate the response from Norm, I thought it was worth a chuckle. My email to him basically reflected support for the Rocca Development specifically, and that 'loss of sight lines' were a relatively small price to pay for increased development in the city core. Here is Norm's full response in it's entirety:

"Thank you so much it would be nice to meet with you now that an election is comming Please call me. 651 2801 norm"

[PersonPlaceorThing]

Originally Posted by random11

I will! Because even though I appreciate the response from Norm, I thought it was worth a chuckle. My email to him basically reflected support for the Rocca Development specifically, and that 'loss of sight lines' were a relatively small price to pay for increased development in the city core. Here is Norm's full response in it's entirety:

"Thank you so much it would be nice to meet with you now that an election is comming Please call me. 651 2801 norm"

From my experience he will take your call - that goes straight to him, not a handler. I know I spoke to him at length about the challenges that Leinster Court was up against. I found him very pro development and also very aware of the importance of socially responsible housing.

While it does get discouraging to see the delays that some councilors seem to enjoy heaping on developers, I am glad to know the mayor is very much for getting things done.

[thefishingnut]

Originally Posted by random11

I will! Because even though I appreciate the response from Norm, I thought it was worth a chuckle. My email to him basically reflected support for the Rocca Development specifically, and that 'loss of sight lines' were a relatively small price to pay for increased development in the city core. Here is Norm's full response in it's entirety:

"Thank you so much it would be nice to meet with you now that an election is comming Please call me. 651 2801 norm"

I don't know whether he just lucked into it, or is a major part of it. But no question the city has shown a major turnaround under his watch. I can't help but think that any other candidate would be a huge risk to this momentum.

(but since I live in Quispam, I guess I don't have a vote ...)

[Helladog]

Originally Posted by thefishingnut

I don't know whether he just lucked into it, or is a major part of it. But no question the city has shown a major turnaround under his watch. I can't help but think that any other candidate would be a huge risk to this momentum.

(but since I live in Quispam, I guess I don't have a vote ...)

You could always move....

[thefishingnut]

Originally Posted by Helladog

You could always move....

Lol - Much more of Hootons regressive preservatives, I might have to rent an apartment in the city long enough to vote, and keep the Quispam house as the "summer residence".