The Official Saint John, NB Project Thread

[Seely32]

I wonder when the renderings will be released. I hope that brick textile factory looking one they gave as a proposal is not built.

So on the waterfront this year we have rocca's building(hopefully) and the welcome center to watch should be interesting. Lets hope we get on the move and bring some retail in the area, the Keg?? starbucks?? I can dream.

Also anyone have word on the skatepark and when it could start. I havent heard a thing since september.

[Seely32]

And also in regards the oil refinery having to go through more enviromental testing. There is no way they should be allowed to build withouth going through the proper channels. I am on the fence with this even with the boom it will bring there is a ton of downside to this proposal, I dont want my life shortened from lung cancer and have to wear a mask around town like in parts of china. The amount of pollution already produced there is absurd and we seem to be loving the threat of global warming and the rising cost of gas. I hope all of the oil runs out and we are forced to turn to alternative measures, The only good of this refinery is a population boost in our workforce and growth, Irving owns our labor force and can essentially dictate what they want here. I dont want to turn this into a irving bashing statement but the entire oil industry is what's wrong in the US and parts of the middle east and china. Beijing had to not use cars for 4 days just to make the city breathable for the olympics. If they build it so be it just do not skip out on what is best for our city's health. Sure they can build it but who wants to move to an overpolluted blue collar city, Just ask pittsburgh,detroit, and other cities which have fallen just as hard to a dieing industry.

end rant

[michael_d40]

Originally Posted by Seely32

I wonder when the renderings will be released. I hope that brick textile factory looking one they gave as a proposal is not built.

So on the waterfront this year we have rocca's building(hopefully) and the welcome center to watch should be interesting. Lets hope we get on the move and bring some retail in the area, the Keg?? starbucks?? I can dream.

Also anyone have word on the skatepark and when it could start. I havent heard a thing since september.

I wouldnt be surprised to see Starbucks on Canterbury street, where the old mings was, where they are remodling the whole strip, Seems like a type of development they would be part of,

[Helladog]

Originally Posted by random11

K100 reported this afternoon that the majority of ships will dock at Long Warf in an effort to steer visitors away from the construction site. However, that will be hard to do on several days this season as multiple ships will be in port at once. I heard as well that completion is expected in September but there was no mention of an actual "start up" date. Geez, I should have taken bets on the tents being back this year, lol ..

You should have taken bets; if it takes 4-6 months to build a starbucks, it'll take as long to build the terminal. If they want a September finish date, they'd better get to it.

It makes me wonder what there going to do with it until next season...that is September until Spring. Lets have a big forumers party!

[Helladog]

Originally Posted by Seely32

I wonder when the renderings will be released. I hope that brick textile factory looking one they gave as a proposal is not built.

So on the waterfront this year we have rocca's building(hopefully) and the welcome center to watch should be interesting. Lets hope we get on the move and bring some retail in the area, the Keg?? starbucks?? I can dream.

Also anyone have word on the skatepark and when it could start. I havent heard a thing since september.

I've heard spring...but judging by how things go here...there'll be no word until August just before school starts, then a big announcement construction is beginning on the new park with lots of hoopla. Then it'll be done just in time for first snow!

The amount of pollution already produced there is absurd and we seem to be loving the threat of global warming and the rising cost of gas

As long as we can kiss the fog goodbye, i'm on board!

[Fischbob]

Contract awarded for $8.7-million cruise ship terminal

Sandra Davis
Telegraph-Journal
Published Thursday February 14th, 2008
Appeared on page C1

SAINT JOHN - Workers are on-site preparing to begin construction of Saint John's new $8.7-million cruise ship terminal that is scheduled to be complete by the height of this year's season in September.

Marco Maritimes Ltd. has been awarded the contract to build what port board chairman Steve Campbell calls the most significant waterfront development since Market Square was built in 1983.

The two-storey brick building has been designed in a diamond shape so passengers can take advantage of the harbour vistas as they disembark at Water Street's Pugsley Terminal via an elevated walkway into the building, says Capt. Al Soppitt, port authority president.

Amenities include a tourist information booth with an interpretation centre focusing on the Bay of Fundy as a cruise destination. Easy access to the dockside market will also available from the 24,000-square-foot building that will be surrounded by walkways and green spaces for cruise ship passengers and citizens to enjoy.

The Pugsley C shed that sits on the site will remain part of the picture, said Soppitt.

"Pugsley C shed is part of our Lower Cove terminal," he said. "We have limited shed capacity and that shed is in good condition." The port will be looking at how to improve the look of the shed, he said, "but it will be used for handling cargo."

For this season, Long Wharf will act as the berth for 90 per cent of visiting cruise ships, says Soppitt. Pugsley will be used only on days when two ships are in port, he said, to allow construction to proceed.

"The goal is to complete the building and the walkway before September when the (busiest part of the) season starts," he said.

The dockside market will be set up at Long Wharf for this year, he said.

Once the terminal is complete, Long Wharf will become the secondary terminal for cruise ships, although there is no plan to set up a permanent structure there to welcome cruise-ship visitors, said Soppitt.

Eighty-two cruise ships, with a total of 180,000 passengers, are expected this season - a 40 per cent increase over last year. The visitors are expected to create an infusion of more than $15 million into the region.

Proposals to develop Pugsley Park, the area between the Coast Guard site and the cruise terminal, are also being accepted and considered.

Pugsley Park, which now consists of a parking lot on Water Street, will include trees and benches snaking their way south along the water and eventually private development such as restaurants, coffee shops and waterside shopping - they're all possibilities depending on what the call for proposals attracts.

Future plans also call for a large St. Andrew's Park and, at the other end of Water Street, a more developed Three Sisters Park.

The whole area will be called The Bay of Fundy Cruise Welcome Centre and is expected to directly benefit rural communities throughout Southern New Brunswick by injecting more than $17 million in revenue over the next five years.


An artist’s conception of the new terminal, which is scheduled to be complete in September.


Saint John Port Authority chairman Steve Campbell, left, and Capt. Al Soppitt, president and CEO of the port authority, check out drawings of the planned terminal.

http://telegraphjournal.canadaeast.com/city/article/211994

Looks like they're sticking with that really terrible design. Bah, this is disappointing. Couldn't they have at least attempted something a little bolder? I'd always envisioned a glass façade on Water Street as being nice, but that's just me. And the significant shift in completion date isn't too settling either. But at the very least, it won't be long before I stop complaining about them not starting, and shift my attention over to Pugsley Park/the Coast Guard site. I guess it bothers me that in an area with so much potential for quality development, everything seems to be a) stalled and b) mediocre at best once things get going.

I suppose I should introduce myself. I've been following this thread for a while now, and thought I might as well start jumping into some discussions. I'm a SJHS student currently living in Milligdeville who's looking to urban/regional planning as a future career. I think it's awesome that there are actually other people out there with a genuine interest in this region's development. Go us!

[Helladog]

Hi and welcome to the discussion...when I was in school I wanted to be an architect. Go for whatever it is that you like...especially now while you're finishing HS.

[thefishingnut]

Originally Posted by Fischbob

Looks like they're sticking with that really terrible design. Bah, this is disappointing. Couldn't they have at least attempted something a little bolder? I'd always envisioned a glass façade on Water Street as being nice, but that's just me. And the significant shift in completion date isn't too settling either. But at the very least, it won't be long before I stop complaining about them not starting, and shift my attention over to Pugsley Park/the Coast Guard site. I guess it bothers me that in an area with so much potential for quality development, everything seems to be a) stalled and b) mediocre at best once things get going.

I suppose I should introduce myself. I've been following this thread for a while now, and thought I might as well start jumping into some discussions. I'm a SJHS student currently living in Milligdeville who's looking to urban/regional planning as a future career. I think it's awesome that there are actually other people out there with a genuine interest in this region's development. Go us!

Hello, and welcome!

I have a different viewpoint on the rendering. Esssentially to me, they're showing the rear of the building, and what is of most interest is what it looks like from the water view. What does it look like from the Cruise Ship as it enters the harbour and is docking? Also, when you are in it, looking out at the harbour, what does the architecture give you as a view? The harbour is the focal point, not the parking lot and the street. After all, it is a Cruise Ship terminal.

To me, this would be like a hotel developer doing a rendering showing the back of the hotel.

[Seely32]

My main beef is the brick, it seems to contrasting with the glass and white moldings. Its not so much the overrall height and design its the building materials. With sketches like this it is hard to tell wether they will cheap out on building materials. Take leinster court for example the entire building is beautiful and then they cheaped on the back wall and put vinyl siding. It's like a scar on an otherwise very nice in-fill building.

The bestwestern actually has a beautiful exterior to my suprise.

And yes welcome to the discussion fischbob.

Urban planning has always been a dream of mine. Ever since I was a little kid I would look at a town and think what they could do better and how they could establish a better downtown.

Most of us on here are 🞵🞵🞵🞵🞵🞵🞵🞵 urbanists to some degree and definately try for what you want. We could use more urban-minded people to establish this city as a place to be.

[PersonPlaceorThing]

Originally Posted by Seely32

Take leinster court for example the entire building is beautiful and then they cheaped on the back wall and put vinyl siding.

That's not vunyl and it wasn't a cost decision, it was meant to break up the appearance of brick on the request of neighbours.

[Seely32]

what kind of siding is it?? Aluminum??

my mistake, still looks pretty 🞵🞵🞵🞵🞵🞵.

[michael_d40]

Originally Posted by Seely32

what kind of siding is it??

my mistake, still looks pretty 🞵🞵🞵🞵🞵🞵.

I agree

[kwajo]

Take leinster court for example the entire building is beautiful and then they cheaped on the back wall and put vinyl siding. It's like a scar on an otherwise very nice in-fill building.

I thought that it was hilarious that they did that, it seemed so typical of our modern society. Like those photos you see of models who have their clothes or skin clipped or pinned in the back just so that the side facing the camera looks sexier. We love to cheap out on the things we can't see and make things which concentrate on only superficial aesthetic beauty, not beauty in craftsmanship or quality design.

Also, on the subject of the Cruise Ship Welcome Centre rendering, is that it will look a lot better in real life given that the city is putting a lot of money into continuing to improve Water St. and the Pugsley Park area, primarily with increased greenery. I'm quite optimistic about the project, I think it will be one of the finest new buildings Uptown when completed.


And another welcome to another new forum member! Hope you contribute regularly, and help show everyone just how great Saint John and its citizens can be!

[Fischbob]

I have a different viewpoint on the rendering. Esssentially to me, they're showing the rear of the building, and what is of most interest is what it looks like from the water view. What does it look like from the Cruise Ship as it enters the harbour and is docking? Also, when you are in it, looking out at the harbour, what does the architecture give you as a view? The harbour is the focal point, not the parking lot and the street. After all, it is a Cruise Ship terminal.

That's a good point, actually. I'm so used to seeing SJ from the resident's side of things, that was my immediate viewpoint: what it looks like from the street. And the rendering itself is fairly low-quality; perhaps it doesn't do the actual design justice. Although I'm still a tad nervous about it all. I mean, a hotel can look nice from the highway (or a welcome centre from the harbour), but that doesn't mean that the other side isn't important. Oh well—I'll keep my fingers crossed in the hope that I'll be pleasantly surprised when it's finished. And with all the other impending development in the Water Street area (Pugsley Park, Rocca's condos, the facelift of Princess street, and *knock on wood* the Coast Guard site), it may end up OK. Only time will tell, I guess.

Thanks for the welcomes, everyone! I'm notoriously quiet, but I'll try to stay involved. If there's any forum out there that can get me to talk, it's this one.

[Helladog]

It's funny to hear talk about the back of Leinster Court. I too thought that to be vinyl, and only because it was an insignificant view, not requiring the brick.

Isn't it the lovely red brick that conservationists want??? Now all of a sudden the neighbours want the "vinyl" look so it ties in to the poor neighbourhood. I'm confused...I know everyone wants a say, and no two people want exactly the same thing, so does that mean we're going to have a "platypus" north of Union?

A little vinyl here, some red brick there, maybe a bell tower, and a hi-rise on top...

Now that church across the street is out of place; lets put some siding on it so it fits the neighbourhood. And everyone is worried of a seven storey building on Water Street...yeesh!

Of course I realize most of the hoopla is at the hand of a handfull...

[random11]

I think it's crucial to note that the cruise terminal / welcome center is a 8.7 million dollar development. Granted, that is a chunk of change however, when you compare it to the 100 million plus dollar North Union Street development, it fails miserably when you compare. Somebody once said you get what you pay for.

[random11]

14 February 2008



Sunwing Airlines, offering charter flights to seasonal sun destinations, will resume operations from Saint John Airport starting March 12. The airline enjoyed success with their first-time offerings from Saint John last year. This year, weekly flights to Cancun, Mexico start on March 21, with prices as low as $665. Weekly flights to La Romana, Dominican Republic begin on March 12. Check with your travel agent, or www.sunwing.ca for details.


*** I would suggest this is good news for the Airport. It reflects disposable income at work in the area and sends a positive vibe for increased flights.

[michael_d40]

Another article on the cruise terminal

Port Authority Announces Successful Tender for Cruise Terminal

February 13, 2008

(Saint John, N.B.) The Saint John Port Authority announced today it has awarded the contract for the construction of the much anticipated cruise terminal building on Water Street to Marco Maritimes Ltd. for the tendered sum of $8.7 million dollars. Construction is slated to proceed immediately.
The project will consist of a two storey building and elevated walkway. A lower floor area equaling 15,770 Sq. Ft and an upper mezzanine floor equaling 8,800 sq. ft. The Port Authority offices will be moving into the facility upon completion. The terminal building project will complement the Saint John Development Corporation’s plans to develop and enhance Water Street as unveiled jointly by both organizations in 2006.
“We are delighted to be moving forward with this project,” exclaimed Stephen Campbell, Chairman of the Board for the Saint John Port Authority, “After careful consideration of all the submissions, we feel confident that the proposal by Marco Maritimes Ltd. will best suit the needs of the Port Authority, as well as the needs of our continually growing cruise sector.”
“We anticipate completion before the high end of our cruise season begins in September,” explained Captain Alwyn G. Soppitt, President & CEO of the Saint John Port Authority, “During this time period, we will be directing the majority of our cruise traffic to our Long Wharf facility and Pugsley Terminal will only be used on the days we expect multiple ships. To this end, the Port Authority is developing an operational plan for Pugsley Terminal to ensure the efficient and safe movement of our visitors in this area. This will include directing passengers to the north end of the pier, clear of construction and using Pugsley Park as the ground transportation area”
This will be a record year for cruise traffic in the Port. Saint John is set to welcome 82 ships and over 180,000 passengers during the 2008 season. This represents an increase of more than 40% over 2007’s numbers.
The Port of Saint John, New Brunswick’s largest and most diverse marine gateway, is a bulk and break bulk port with the capacity to handle containers and is the second busiest port of call for cruise ships operating in Atlantic Canada.

The Port is a commercially viable, self-sufficient business enterprise and a cornerstone of the local economy. It is a critical component of the region’s transportation infrastructure essential to many of New Brunswick’s major industries engaged in international trade and provides deep-water, ice-free access to shipping year round.

[Seely32]

QPlex plans put smile on minor hockey's face




Dave MacLean
Telegraph-Journal
Published Friday February 15th, 2008
Appeared on page C7
QUISPAMSIS - Don Patterson is pleased to see the proposed QPlex recreation complex moving forward and he remains hopeful Rothesay and/or Hampton might eventually join forces with the town of Quispamsis on the project.

"Based on what we've seen so far, it's going to be state-of-the-art," Patterson said Thursday, a day after the town held an open house to unveil conceptual drawings of the $20-million project.

Patterson, the director of ice for the Kennebecasis Valley Minor Hockey Association, said the new plant will help alleviate a critical shortage of ice time in the valley, but it won't solve the problem.

"We have acknowledged all along that it's going to be a great help to the area and the town of Quispamsis - the mayor and councillors - recognized the need and they set themselves on a very methodical path to do this and do it right," said Patterson. "Do I think it will completely make the ice shortage go away? No, I don't think it will, but it's a huge help, for sure. It will take some pressure off, but there's not going to be any excess (of ice time).

"We expect there will be plenty of additional ice users who will pop up (after the facility is operational, expected in January of 2010) - more women's and girls' teams and leagues and more private users. Plus there are hockey camps and skating camps and recreational users. It will be booked solid the day they open it - I'm certain of that."

Patterson said the ideal answer would be to see the QPlex include two sheets of ice, something that might be possible if the town was sharing costs with other communities.

"A beautiful solution would be for the town of Rothesay to team up with the town of Quispamsis and put two ice surfaces there," he said. "Then you have the whole region co-operating together and that would solve our problem for years to come. And maybe there's an option for Hampton to join us, too. One ice surface is great and we certainly appreciate it. However, it's not going to make the problem go away."

Aside from the arena - and depending on the results of the latest round of public consultation - the complex is expected to also include an outdoor pool, playground, three-lane indoor walking track, additional outdoor walking trails that will tie in with existing trails on the opposite side of the Vincent Road Extension, a dog park, 4,000 square feet of meeting rooms, a commercial kitchen, canteen and space for a YM-YWCA child care facility.

The arena, pool and playground will be built on Meenan's Cove Road, next to the Gondola Point Recreation Centre.

[Kablooie!!]

Originally Posted by Seely32

Welcome to the forum.

What is this a two for one special.


Kablooie!!-propelsj would be a good middle man they have a goal of bringing into 32(I beleive thats the number) IT firms into the city and help separate us from our blue collar niche'.

www.propelsj.com if your interested.

Cool, thanks. I'll be definitely contacting them for any assistance they can provide. I've had an interview with a start-up and (hopefully) will be flying down for a second interview shortly.

Can't wait to get back home!