The Official Saint John, NB Project Thread

[PostModernPrometheus]

from 889 site.

Benefits Blueprint has a chapter to deal with social consequences of economic boom
April 08, 2008 - 4:23 am
By: Denise Barkhouse-News 88-9 staff

Saint John- As this region prepares to deal with an on-slaught of workers, it is also dealing with the prospect of an increase in drug and 🞵🞵🞵 trafficking.
Saint John Human Development Council's Randy Hatfield says there's no doubt that a super heated economy will attract some social-ills, but he says the benefits blueprint has a pro-active plan to deal with it.
"The business case that deals with priority neighbourhoods has within it, funding envelopes, or is anticipated that money will be available in these neighbourhoods, and not simply just for poverty reduction, but for social consequences that flow from this kind of development."
He says the community has to ensure programs are in place for those who want to help themselves, both the addictions level and employment opportunities level.

[PostModernPrometheus]

Originally Posted by Helladog

The new CEO of the airport is planning on terminal expansion and parking lot upgrades. It's good to hear this is still in the planning. With the recent growth and with expected increased traffic, it'll be a great improvement. I'd say it's time for a couple gangways.

It's funny, but the Bangor and Moncton airports have been advertising like crazy here...

I think the airport needs to be quite aggressive in the next 2-5 years - this is a window of opportunity that should be capitalized on. There's no doubt that there will be a lot of air traffic / passengers to support the coming local mega-projects - the opportunity to really expand the airport's infrastructure and desintations/connections will never be better....at a bare minimum, I'd hope that the TO & Montreal flights get larger aircraft and 3-4 new routes are added (New England, Ottawa, and would LOVE to see a 2 or 3 times per week "pipeline" connecting say Calgary, Saint John and St John's, NL - I don't think that would be unreasonable given the large number of jobs related to the oil & gas industry in these areas....)

[Seely32]

Originally Posted by Helladog

Anyone else think the twisted sisters project for Halifax would be perfect for North of Union?

http://i97.photobucket.com/albums/l217/halps00/3.jpg

What??? no Brick??? are they 120 years old???

Well I guess then Saint John doesnt need them

I would Love for a proposal of this magnitude but I do find these a little boxy. How About some curves on the skyline, 🞵🞵🞵🞵 🞵🞵🞵🞵 curves.

[Wishblade]

Originally Posted by Seely32

What??? no Brick??? are they 120 years old???

Well I guess then Saint John doesnt need them

I would Love for a proposal of this magnitude but I do find these a little boxy. How About some curves on the skyline, 🞵🞵🞵🞵 🞵🞵🞵🞵 curves.

http://forum.skyscraperpage.com/showthread.php?t=116551

theres better pics there

[Phantomtib]

When I visited Saint John I was very surprised to see the proposed developments actually taking place. I was a bit frustrated about the access in and out of saint john (the airport) but I can see things have a lot of improvements to go.

I wonder if anything is going to happen around the reversing falls and the military fort on the hill. Maybe a landmark there would be a good place? Also does anyone know what is going to happen to the run down areas behind reversing falls? And along Main st. is there any developments that are going to take place?

[michael_d40]

Originally Posted by PostModernPrometheus

I think the airport needs to be quite aggressive in the next 2-5 years - this is a window of opportunity that should be capitalized on. There's no doubt that there will be a lot of air traffic / passengers to support the coming local mega-projects - the opportunity to really expand the airport's infrastructure and desintations/connections will never be better....at a bare minimum, I'd hope that the TO & Montreal flights get larger aircraft and 3-4 new routes are added (New England, Ottawa, and would LOVE to see a 2 or 3 times per week "pipeline" connecting say Calgary, Saint John and St John's, NL - I don't think that would be unreasonable given the large number of jobs related to the oil & gas industry in these areas....)

Saint John Airport hopes to grow with the city
April 08, 2008 - 7:00 pm
By: Denise Barkhouse- News 88-9 staff


Saint John- The new C-E-O of the Saint John Airport is looking forward to growing the business and the facility.

Bernie Leblanc tells news 88-9 his first day on the job was very busy yesterday, meeting with local politicians discussing potential growth.

"We'd like to get a few more larger planes, more direct flights and probably U.S. direction flights, as well. So really try and plan for the future of Saint John. There is a lot of growth planned in the near future and we would like to try and grow the airport with it."

He says expanding the terminal and its parking lot is also a priority, adding the sooner that takes place the better.

Leblanc is optimistic facility expansions could possibly begin this year.

[michael_d40]

Energy boom equals housing boom

Published Wednesday April 9th, 2008
Appeared on page A1

SAINT JOHN - The emerging energy boom will see demand for housing in the Saint John region spike by more than 25 per cent, according to city planners.

To accommodate the massive projected influx of workers, 150 new housing units will need to be built each year for 10 years, over and above those built to handle normal growth. Officials will also look to leverage existing infrastructure by encouraging homeowners to open up empty rooms to boarders.

A new study predicts the boom will create 33,000 jobs and inject more than $44 billion into the province's economy.

"The job the city needs to do is make sure we're in a position to attract and retain the greatest number of housing opportunities in Saint John," said Jim Baird, the city's commissioner of planning and development.

Where the new houses will go is still up in the air, Baird said, but there is strong potential to expand development in outlying suburban areas such as Quispamsis or Hampton.

Getting up to capacity is "clearly doable," he added.

With the cyclical nature of the housing market, the construction industry has produced at a similarly high level in the past, though not for such an extended period of time. The duration of the boom will mean more jobs for workers, many of whom operate on a contract basis, he said.

The biggest challenge will not be creating the 150 new units, but rather accommodating the influx of temporary workers the boom will bring in, Baird said.

Some will stay in motels for the short term, while others will be looking to rent rooms or apartments.

Historically, Saint John has had a high apartment vacancy rate, so the market is well prepared to absorb that, Baird said.

Baird was also involved in developing the Benefits Blueprint study, which suggests ways the province can maximize benefits of the boom. A key part of that strategy is a Rooms to Rent program, which encourages homeowners to open up rooms to boarders.

"There's a lot of capacity. There are a lot of single people living in houses, so there are a lot of bedrooms that aren't being used there," said Dave Hardy, president of Hardy Stevenson and Associates, a Toronto consulting firm that studies the impact of large-scale economic projects.

Real-estate prices will "undoubtedly" continue to rise as demand increases, Baird said. But because the city is preparing for the boom, he added, it's unlikely there will be a sudden spike due to unexpected demand.

Bob Manning, chairman of Enterprise Saint John and the Benefits Blueprint project, said we've already seen growth in property values and increased home construction efforts linked to the looming boom. Data from the Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation shows a significant increase in residential construction in New Brunswick this year. Last March, building started on 73 housing units; this March, there were 86 starts.

According to Claude Gautreau, senior market analyst with the CMHC, this is likely linked to the looming boom.

"It would be very reasonable to assume that this is tied in to speculation regarding the potential energy projects, the potential refinery, the refurbishment of Point Lepreau."

[SJTOKO]

Originally Posted by michael_d40

Energy boom equals housing boom

Published Wednesday April 9th, 2008
Appeared on page A1

SAINT JOHN - The emerging energy boom will see demand for housing in the Saint John region spike by more than 25 per cent, according to city planners.

To accommodate the massive projected influx of workers, 150 new housing units will need to be built each year for 10 years, over and above those built to handle normal growth. Officials will also look to leverage existing infrastructure by encouraging homeowners to open up empty rooms to boarders.

A new study predicts the boom will create 33,000 jobs and inject more than $44 billion into the province's economy.

"The job the city needs to do is make sure we're in a position to attract and retain the greatest number of housing opportunities in Saint John," said Jim Baird, the city's commissioner of planning and development.

Where the new houses will go is still up in the air, Baird said, but there is strong potential to expand development in outlying suburban areas such as Quispamsis or Hampton.

Getting up to capacity is "clearly doable," he added.

With the cyclical nature of the housing market, the construction industry has produced at a similarly high level in the past, though not for such an extended period of time. The duration of the boom will mean more jobs for workers, many of whom operate on a contract basis, he said.

The biggest challenge will not be creating the 150 new units, but rather accommodating the influx of temporary workers the boom will bring in, Baird said.

Some will stay in motels for the short term, while others will be looking to rent rooms or apartments.

Historically, Saint John has had a high apartment vacancy rate, so the market is well prepared to absorb that, Baird said.

Baird was also involved in developing the Benefits Blueprint study, which suggests ways the province can maximize benefits of the boom. A key part of that strategy is a Rooms to Rent program, which encourages homeowners to open up rooms to boarders.

"There's a lot of capacity. There are a lot of single people living in houses, so there are a lot of bedrooms that aren't being used there," said Dave Hardy, president of Hardy Stevenson and Associates, a Toronto consulting firm that studies the impact of large-scale economic projects.

Real-estate prices will "undoubtedly" continue to rise as demand increases, Baird said. But because the city is preparing for the boom, he added, it's unlikely there will be a sudden spike due to unexpected demand.

Bob Manning, chairman of Enterprise Saint John and the Benefits Blueprint project, said we've already seen growth in property values and increased home construction efforts linked to the looming boom. Data from the Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation shows a significant increase in residential construction in New Brunswick this year. Last March, building started on 73 housing units; this March, there were 86 starts.

According to Claude Gautreau, senior market analyst with the CMHC, this is likely linked to the looming boom.

"It would be very reasonable to assume that this is tied in to speculation regarding the potential energy projects, the potential refinery, the refurbishment of Point Lepreau."

I'm a little concerned about the influx of workers during the construction phase. I keep picturing a bunch of wreckless low wage blue collar rednecks living in squallar and engaging in illegal/shady activity. Please pardon my ignorance.

[Alberta Bound]

Originally Posted by michael_d40

Energy boom equals housing boom
Where the new houses will go is still up in the air, Baird said, but there is strong potential to expand development in outlying suburban areas such as Quispamsis or Hampton.

People will live where they want but shouldn't the city be promoting development within the city?

Historically, Saint John has had a high apartment vacancy rate, so the market is well prepared to absorb that, Baird said.

One thing about the rental market in Saint John is that a significant proportion of units available are in horrible condition. The actual number of rental units up to some suitable standard would be much lower.

When I was in Saint John in March, I was somewhat surprised to see more buildings boarded up in the north end during the seven months I was gone. I would like to see demand for housing or rental units be translated into replacing dilapidated multiunit buildings in the north end, south end and lower west side with newer buildings or other infill housing.

[thefishingnut]

Originally Posted by Alberta Bound

People will live where they want but shouldn't the city be promoting development within the city?

One thing about the rental market in Saint John is that a significant proportion of units available are in horrible condition. The actual number of rental units up to some suitable standard would be much lower.

When I was in Saint John in March, I was somewhat surprised to see more buildings boarded up in the north end during the seven months I was gone. I would like to see demand for housing or rental units be translated into replacing dilapidated multiunit buildings in the north end, south end and lower west side with newer buildings or other infill housing.

I believe you're on the right track. Net new housing is one thing, but Saint John also needs a significant amount of housing replacement. Given the choice of building a house betweeen 2 boarded up or subpar buildings in Saint John, people are making the choice to build in a brand new subdivision in Quispam.

There are some wonderful historic buildings in Saint John, but there is a lot of old, cheaply built, poorly maintained housing that people just aren't interested in. Somehow, the city needs to be able to offer builders incentives (free demolition permits? a break on building permit costs?) to replace a lot of that stuff.

Given the relative size of the area, there is a mind-numbing amount of construction going on in Quispam right now. Businesses and houses are going up everywhere, there are tons of lots available.

There is a boom in the area, Saint John runs a big risk though that a significant portion of the downstream building (housing, businesses, recreation facilities) will be build outside it's tax base. I hope council is looking hard at how it changes the momentum.

[Helladog]

BioEnergy conference comes to Saint John

April 09, 2008 - 5:09 pm
By: Terri Wallace - News 88.9 Staff

SAINT JOHN, NB - The Atlantica Centre for Energy is hosting the 2008 Atlantic Bioenergy Conference.

Atlantica President, Tim Curry tells us Saint John was a natural fit for the 2-day conference because of the concentration of energy-industry expertise.

He says the provincial government is committed to developing forms of renewable energy.

"There are installations on the ground in New Brunswick, there are projects that have already started where people are working with biomass and producing various forms of energy or energy products," said Curry.

Curry says energy creates an important opportunity to participate fully in the national and international economy.

The conference kicks off at 6pm at Centerbeam Place.

-------------------------------------------------------------------------
Airport's numbers are up, up and away

April 09, 2008 - 9:59 am
By: Denise Miller-News 88-9 staff

Saint John- Nasty winter weather this year didn't snow under travellers leaving from the Saint John Airport.

Officials announced today that passenger numbers for the first quarter are up 12.2 percent higher than for the same period last year.

Airport President and CEO Bernard Leblanc says some of that growth can be attributed to the larger planes used by Air Canada, as well West Jet decided to stay on year round.

Leblanc says they anticipate a strong 2008 with the community growing, the airlines are responding with additional capacity.

[random11]

Published Tuesday April 8th, 2008
Appeared on page A6
New Brunswick's airports have been fairly competitive when it comes to attracting new routes and carriers. But there are limits to what each airport can accomplish on its own, as managers of the Greater Moncton International Airport have just been reminded.

The Moncton air authority had hoped to add a second direct flight to New York - a route for which demand is growing, as New Brunswick's business links with New England become more extensive. Because of the way customs officers have been allocated to points of entry by the federal government, though, Moncton's air carrier has declined.

While Halifax International has round-the-clock customs service, federal customs agents at the Moncton airport work 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. The lack of 24-hour service means Continental Airlines has to pay $200,000 a year to hire after-hours customs officers to process its passengers. Under these circumstances, the carrier couldn't afford to add a second New York flight. Fredericton International Airport faces similar challenges.

Clearly, federal border policy has implications for the expansion of air travel in New Brunswick - implications than can only be addressed by taking a pragmatic approach.

The federal government's decision to concentrate customs and border control officers in Canada's major points of entry means only one airport in New Brunswick has the staffing advantage to compete with Halifax International: Saint John.

As an international seaport, Saint John has the customs capacity to offer 24-hour service. It's an opportunity the local air authority ought to be pursuing in conjunction with the federal government.

In recent months, Fredericton International has lost flights to Boston, and Moncton International's ambitions to expand U.S. service have been thwarted. The market hasn't declined, just the supply of international flights. It's time for Saint John's airport managers to close the gap by making U.S. service a priority.

New Brunswickers can't count on the federal government making more resources available to Fredericton and Moncton. This is a small air market, and supplying 24-hour customs staff at three municipal airports is likely to be seen as excessive in Ottawa.

Streaming more international traffic through Saint John is a more viable proposition - provided local air managers exert the effort to make it happen.

[thefishingnut]

Originally Posted by random11

Published Tuesday April 8th, 2008
Appeared on page A6

Streaming more international traffic through Saint John is a more viable proposition - provided local air managers exert the effort to make it happen.

I question if there is a single close US location that would make a cross-border service viable from Saint John. I travel to Newark fairly often, and although there are a few others making the connection in Montreal or Toronto with me, there sure isn't a plane-full.

I just don't see it practical for business people in Moncton and Fredericton to be travelling to Saint John in order to avoid a connection and fly direct. Almost all my business travel is on the earliest flight leaving, and the latest flight coming back. Getting up at 3 a.m., renting a car and driving to Moncton to catch a business flight is something I'd never do. Nor would I want to be arriving in Moncton at midnight, and be faced with the drive from Moncton to Saint John, with a return of the rental car the next day. If I wouldn't do it Moncton, I have a hard time believing someone in Moncton would do it in reverse. All that to avoid a connection?

I think if they want to improve the experience for travellers, it has to start with better flights out of Saint John to the connector cities. Jet service to Montreal would be a good start. And although I don't travel that route, jet service to St. John's also would seem viable.

[random11]

Originally Posted by thefishingnut

I question if there is a single close US location that would make a cross-border service viable from Saint John. I travel to Newark fairly often, and although there are a few others making the connection in Montreal or Toronto with me, there sure isn't a plane-full.

I just don't see it practical for business people in Moncton and Fredericton to be travelling to Saint John in order to avoid a connection and fly direct. Almost all my business travel is on the earliest flight leaving, and the latest flight coming back. Getting up at 3 a.m., renting a car and driving to Moncton to catch a business flight is something I'd never do. Nor would I want to be arriving in Moncton at midnight, and be faced with the drive from Moncton to Saint John, with a return of the rental car the next day. If I wouldn't do it Moncton, I have a hard time believing someone in Moncton would do it in reverse. All that to avoid a connection?

I think if they want to improve the experience for travellers, it has to start with better flights out of Saint John to the connector cities. Jet service to Montreal would be a good start. And although I don't travel that route, jet service to St. John's also would seem viable.

You raise some valid points. It's also prudent to note that there was previously a direct flight from Saint John to Newark a number of years ago and it "didn't fly" - pardon the pun. Also, Fredericton recently lost their Delta flight to Boston. Better connections to Canada's Major Airports seem to make more sense. After all, from Toronto/Montreal you can get anywhere and in most cases, directly.

[Helladog]

I just don't see it practical for business people in Moncton and Fredericton to be travelling to Saint John in order to avoid a connection and fly direct.

Before Westjet came to town, lots of ppl travelled to Moncton for flights.

[Helladog]

Lancaster Mall will receive facelift

April 10, 2008 - 5:53 pm
By: Jeff Lansing - News 88.9 Staff

SAINT JOHN, NB - The West Side's aging Lancaster Mall is about to get a big makeover.

Counsel Corporation bought the mall in 2006, and says the change will include renovations, and expansion, while the parking lot will also be improved.

Vice-President of Real Estate Investment Bruce Creber says the mall's anchor will see the biggest change.

"Zellers is planning on expanding by 17-thousand square feet, putting on an entire new store-front, and refurbishing the entire inside of the store," said Creber.

Residents will begin to see changes in the next couple months.

Mayor Norm McFarlane says it's just what the West Side needs.

He says it will lead to additional development.

Now if only we could get McAllister Place to replace the red brick tile...though I gotta admit, it's held up better than the newer stuff in some areas...

[random11]

Does anyone know when Rocca is scheduled to break ground on the condo development on the waterfront? Now that they have the green light, I suspected it might be soon ..

[Helladog]

I remember hearing they want to break ground this Summer/Fall before the frost and snow season...the plan as I understand is to get the first two floors started by the fall.

On another topic...I noticed the above ground steel going up across the street at the cruise ship welcome centre.

[Helladog]

Shopping centre gets $13-million facelift
Development New owners of Lancaster Mall set to begin major renovations

JEFF DUCHARME
TELEGRAPH-JOURNAL
Published Friday April 11th, 2008
Appeared on page C3


Bruce Creber, vice-president of real estate investments for Counsel Corporation, points out some of the changes on the way for the Lancaster Mall during a press conference Thursday.

SAINT JOHN - Returning the sheen to the Golden Mile will begin next month as the new owners of the Lancaster Mall begin renovations that will exceed $13 million.

Counsel Corporation, which bought the property in 2006, held a tenants' meeting Thursday to explain its plans for a rejuvenation of the property. The Ontario-based company announced plans that include building a 17,000-square-foot, stand-alone store in the parking lot of the mall for Shopper's Drug Mart, renting out the space Shopper's currently occupies, a 12,000-square-foot expansion to Zeller's, redesigning the parking lot and the creation of a unique transit lounge for bus passengers. The inside and outside of the mall will also receive a complete makeover.

"We're filling in the middle with something that is going to be really, really attractive in the future," said Bruce Creber, Counsel's vice-president of real estate investment.

Instead of the Saint John Transit buses dropping people off in the middle of the parking lot as currently happens, the buses will be routed to the front of the mall where a transit lounge will be built. The lounge will include a TV, phone and comfortable places for passengers to wait.

"I don't think this has really been done anywhere else," said Creber.

The only new store to be confirmed so far is Ardene, a 4,300-square-foot fashion store that caters to the young.

The renovations should be completed by the end of 2009.

The Superstore will also renovate its storefront, but the timeline hasn't been set.

Built in 1965, the mall has about 25 tenants and Creber plans to bring that number up to at least 30.

The east side has mushroomed in the last few years and become the destination of choice for shopping in Saint John. The success of the east side shopping zone has left other areas of the city in its dust, but Creber said the west side has almost the same population base and it can support a similar shopping district on its own.

"If you live on the west side, wouldn't you just rather come here?"

Creber said Counsel will create an environment to serve the needs of west siders. He points to such things as the library being in the mall as to how the property is more than just a place to shop.

"I love the fact that they're here," he said.

Mayor Norm McFarlane expects the revitalization of the mall to spur on more growth in the area.

"We have a very exciting future ahead of us in Saint John," said McFarlane.

[Helladog]

ELLERDALE INVESTMENTS CONDO SITE

The ugly brick building on the left will have to come down.



LOOKING NORTH ON WATER STREET



NEW SJT HQ



VILLA AND ELLERDALE APTS



CAUSEWAY