The Official Saint John, NB Project Thread

[kwajo]

Does anyone know what happened to the Princess Street enhancement project? There was a lot of talk in the Fall and Winter, and they even fast-tracked it into a 1 year project rather than spreading it out over 2 - and yet I haven't seen any action on it at all. The street looks as awful as ever, and could really use the work, but it's September and I'm wondering when they're planning on getting underway.

Anyone have any insight?

[PostModernPrometheus]

Originally Posted by kwajo

Does anyone know what happened to the Princess Street enhancement project? There was a lot of talk in the Fall and Winter, and they even fast-tracked it into a 1 year project rather than spreading it out over 2 - and yet I haven't seen any action on it at all. The street looks as awful as ever, and could really use the work, but it's September and I'm wondering when they're planning on getting underway.

Anyone have any insight?

dunno....seems to have floated under the radar a little...
was this tied into any election promises / platforms???

[kwajo]

I searched through the thread and found this article from January:

Princess Street will get royal treatment
Renewal: Following complaints, city agrees to fast-track upgrade of important uptown route
Mazerolle
Telegraph-Journal
Published Saturday January 5th, 2008
Appeared on page B3


SAINT JOHN - A business owner who had been critical of the state of Princess Street is thrilled the city will be treating the uptown boulevard like royalty in 2008.

The operations and engineering department will be working with Saint John Water and Saint John Energy to give the western-most sections of Princess Street an approximately $2-million makeover, including street reconstruction, water, wastewater, and stormwater work, and underground wiring.

"They're going to do stage 1 and 2 at the same time, which is great," said Peter Smit, a building and business owner who has poured about $100,000 into the historic Brodie building, which also houses his happinez wine bar.

The city had originally talked about fixing the area from Sydney Street to Prince William Street from 2008 to 2011, a one-block-at-a-time approach that had Smit and the owners of Hayward & Warwick, one block away, each hoping their section would be done first.

Commissioner of operations and engineering Paul Groody said earlier this month the city decided it would be less expensive to complete the area from Charlotte Street to Prince William Street all at once.

Smit said he's happy the construction will take place more quickly than originally planned.

"If you look at the whole street, the street is in very bad shape," he said. "It's a street where you see a fair amount of new businesses coming up at the moment, all bringing something new to the downtown of Saint John, which I think is fantastic."

Relatively new visitors to the street include a martini bar and the headquarters for the Saint John Theatre Company, while long-standing members of the community include Hayward & Warwick and the Irish pub O'Leary's.

"It's really a main artery for the downtown core," Smit said, adding that the reconstruction tied in well with waterfront development and Saint John's cruise ship industry.

Smith hopes to coordinate the repointing of his foundation with the work on Princess Street, and says he's already thinking ahead to how the reconstruction will affect his business.

"Of course [the construction] kills business for the time being, for the time that they're going to do it," he said. "So we have to think of that as well. How can we make it more attractive? How can we make it, instead of a negative thing, a beautiful future? In other words, it's going to be fantastic in 2009, but it's going to be a tough year for people on the street. So what can we do to make it positive? There's a fair amount of things to be thinking of in the next coming months."

[PostModernPrometheus]

Originally Posted by Helladog

I didn't realize we had that much rain until I went out east yesterday; the Walmart parking lot was a lake as was some of Westmorland Road.

I was in halifax on sat - mon, and it rained intensely, but only very briefly....i think 12mm was the official tally....

thats the thing about these disorganized storms by the time they hit us...fragmented, hard to predict who will get what....

[PostModernPrometheus]

Cruise Lines Looking To Save Fuel
September 09, 2008 - 1:00 pm
By: News 88-9'sTerri Wallace


SAINT JOHN, NB - High fuel costs have one cruise line charting a new course in search of routes that save fuel and that's actually good news for Saint John.

Betty MacMillan of the Saint John Port Authority describes cost cutting measures as good business practise.

She says, "Saint John's location is a benefit because it's the first Canadian port of call."

She says, "One other plus is shorter cruises."

Royal Caribbean has rescheduled four calls each into Sydney and Charlottetown and those calls have been re-routed to Saint John.



link: http://www.news889.com/news/local/article.jsp?content=20080909_120046_16664

theres a similar story on the cbc.ca/nb site today

[PostModernPrometheus]

Originally Posted by PostModernPrometheus

Cruise Lines Looking To Save Fuel
September 09, 2008 - 1:00 pm
By: News 88-9'sTerri Wallace


SAINT JOHN, NB - High fuel costs have one cruise line charting a new course in search of routes that save fuel and that's actually good news for Saint John.

This is one of those at first glance good, good but in reality not-so-good stories; true, as fuel costs rise then ports closer to the natural track of the US eastern seaboard will benefit, but at a cost to some of the smaller, equally valuable "off the beaten track" ports.... if the larger cruise ports of SJ and Halifax do end up attracting more and more business, perhaps day/night excursions to places like PEI or Moncton/Hopewell Rocks or salmon fishing for the day on the Mirimachi or fall foliage day cruises on the Saint John river or trips Cape Breton or Grand Manan or St. Andrews can be looked into...it's infrequent that we get an overnight cruise ship in SJ (though its not infrequent to have 3 or 4 of those massive ships in for the day!) by spending 24-36 hours in port, and using the ships as a base for longer excursions, the ships save fuel and passengers can get a wide smattering of maritime cultural experiences.....

[PostModernPrometheus]

Originally Posted by kwajo

And this isn't ICSP related, but I've been hearing rumors about some big projects on the way for the city too, stuff I definitely don't fully understand, or am not allowed to talk or know about, but it still gets me a bit giddy

clearly you have a bit of an inside track here...and i don't want to upset any carts, but.....any timeline on some of these rumours becoming more public?

[PostModernPrometheus]

I think the Liberal Leader is in SJ on thursday this week (? or maybe next) speaking to the Board of Trade; I am interested in hearing what he would have to say specifically addressing the aspirations and projects in our Region.

It will be interesting to see how the Region votes (similarly, I'm very interested to see how the St John's area votes, with the Provincial Gov'ts tendency to suggest people vote "anything" but Conservative)

Now, I don't think this is a forum to throw out a lot of personal views on Federal election politics, but our Region does have a tendency to vote WAY in opposite directions to whoever gets into power, and I do wonder if that has hurt us in the long run; the flip side is that we do seem to vote strongly for people we feel would best represent the Region regardless of what party they are affiliated with (i.e., a good thing)

Either way, the next 6 weeks will be very interesting....with NB, and in particular SJ positioning itself as an energy production & distribution hub, and at least one US presidential candidate in particular positioning themselves as pro nuclear, pro clean fuels pro self sufficient energy (i.e., less dependence on oil from abroad) . . . there could be some profound implications - and new opportunities - for our region as the political map changes in the coming months in Canada and the US.

[PostModernPrometheus]

- apparently, season ticket sales are up a fair bit this year...now OVER 2000....

http://www.news889.com/news/local/article.jsp?content=20080908_154758_7196

www.harbourstation.nb.ca

[PostModernPrometheus]

....and for non hockey fans ... tons of cultural events coming up...art galleries, theatre companies. . .


www.imperialtheatre.nb.ca/
www.saintjohntheatrecompany.com
www.thirdspacegallery.ca
www.teatrogatos.com/


and many, many others......

[Seely32]

Originally Posted by PostModernPrometheus

This is one of those at first glance good, good but in reality not-so-good stories; true, as fuel costs rise then ports closer to the natural track of the US eastern seaboard will benefit, but at a cost to some of the smaller, equally valuable "off the beaten track" ports.... if the larger cruise ports of SJ and Halifax do end up attracting more and more business, perhaps day/night excursions to places like PEI or Moncton/Hopewell Rocks or salmon fishing for the day on the Mirimachi or fall foliage day cruises on the Saint John river or trips Cape Breton or Grand Manan or St. Andrews can be looked into...it's infrequent that we get an overnight cruise ship in SJ (though its not infrequent to have 3 or 4 of those massive ships in for the day!) by spending 24-36 hours in port, and using the ships as a base for longer excursions, the ships save fuel and passengers can get a wide smattering of maritime cultural experiences.....

I completely agree the amount of business that would be produced if even 10 ships spent one night in the harbour would be astronomical and would boost our economy and create more jobs.

Also on the princess st. renovations I have been asking people and emailed some councillors on the progress of this but I have heard nothing. Which is quite sad because in all reality this was the project I was looking the most forward too. That entire street done up to charlotte would do great thins for the business there.


Also wrightguy, when are they planning on fixing the top of the new saint john performing arts theatre. The top currently looks horrid.

[Seely32]

Growth on the Golden Mile

Development New stores could act as catalysts for further expansion on the west side
C1Reid Southwick
Telegraph-Journal

SAINT JOHN - Retailers have their eyes set on the Golden Mile as the west side thoroughfare undergoes the early stages of a makeover.


Coun. Bill Farren stands in front of Canadian Tire’s west side location. The veteran politician says he’s fulfilling a campaign promise by working to attract retailers to his ward.

A proposed new Canadian Tire outlet and confirmed Sobeys store and strip mall on Fairville Boulevard are expected to attract further investment, reinventing the area into a commercial strip.

Canadian Tire plans to build a new, larger store on the boulevard, featuring a Marks Work Wearhouse outlet, said Coun. Bill Farren. The new store, he said, will be located at the abandoned building next to the Cox Electronics and Communications site.

Farren, who said he received new information about the Canadian Tire development during meetings with company officials, added the current store will be torn down and transformed into a parking lot when the new one is built, expected by December 2009.

The larger store would be complemented by a new Sobeys location, expected to be open early this winter, and a strip mall, slated for construction on the current Saint John Transit building by next summer.

A Canadian Tire official would not confirm Farren's comments on the details of the new location, saying the retailer is looking at "possibly expanding" its presence on the west side.

"This is going to be a starting point and once the first businesses are opened, the rest will fall in place," said Blaine Harris, secretary treasurer of the Saint John West Business Association.

"The Golden Mile can very possibly be the new main street."

Harris said the association is looking to attract Empire Theatres and fast-food retailers to the west side, particularly Fairville Boulevard. He said the developments slated for the area can only help those efforts.

"With Sobeys building their new store, scheduled to be open by November or December, it's definitely going to help bring an upswing for retail business on the west side," said Harris. "It's really going to be a new focal point."

Farren said he has met with Canadian Tire and retail officials in his bid to draw more business to the west side. He said those meetings, which took place in Toronto and Saint John last month, were part of an election commitment to drum up more retail development for his ward.

During his trip to Toronto, Farren also met with a prominent real estate official, who he said is connected with 15 major retailers. This official, who Farren wouldn't name, is expected to link the councillor with executives working for these retailers in the hopes of drumming up business on Saint John's west side.

"(Constituents) told me very loud and clear that they are sick and tired of going to east Saint John to do their shopping and I promised them I would do what I could," said Farren. "It was my campaign promise and I paid for the trip out of my own pocket."

Farren's commitment comes after Wal-Mart, the world's largest retailer, walked away last year from a proposal to build a new store on Fairville Boulevard.

Prominent developer John Rocca said the new projects slated for the Golden Mile will likely attract more development - and it may even originate from the city's east end.

"The retailers that have been successful out east might have had an opportunity for a second location on the west side; but the problem is no one wanted to take the leadership in locating to a light industrial area for fear no one would follow them," said Rocca, president of Ellerdale Investments.

"When you have a Canadian Tire and a Sobeys, you get the comfort level that it will happen."

Canadian Tire has an application before common council to rezone the proposed location of the new store for shopping centre development. Company officials appeared before a planning advisory committee hearing Tuesday night and a public hearing is scheduled for Sept. 29.

[PostModernPrometheus]

^

this is very good news....the more rapidly the West side develops its retail, the better...while it's nice having the selection of several hundred outlets and shops on the East side, the area is getting congested....and as evidenced by the recent flooding in that part of town, there may be some valid concerns re: overdevelopment...that being said, Eastpoint still has a lot of growth ahead of it (Costco, etc, etc)....

it's time to spread the wealth around . . . a few key developments on the west side is all that will be needed to catalyse the area....HOPEFULLY not just into a carbon copy of the east side stores, but into something somewhat unique....

[PostModernPrometheus]

Originally Posted by Seely32

I completely agree the amount of business that would be produced if even 10 ships spent one night in the harbour would be astronomical and would boost our economy and create more jobs.
.

ya...i'm drafting a letter to Cruise SJ and the tourism folks to try and get that point across.......

[PersonPlaceorThing]

I read a CBC article on the basement flooding that happened on Mountain Road. People are blaming the road work that was recently completed on the street.

I grew up in Forest Hills and know many basements have flooded for many years before the Mountain Road road work.

The most interesting part of the article is that the city's engineering department is working on a flood mitigation and rain water storage plan. I know of a few sites in east Saint John that exist to collect rain water - it will be interesting to see where this goes.

[PostModernPrometheus]

Originally Posted by PersonPlaceorThing

I read a CBC article on the basement flooding that happened on Mountain Road. People are blaming the road work that was recently completed on the street.

I grew up in Forest Hills and know many basements have flooded for many years before the Mountain Road road work.

The most interesting part of the article is that the city's engineering department is working on a flood mitigation and rain water storage plan. I know of a few sites in east Saint John that exist to collect rain water - it will be interesting to see where this goes.

good points...i'm no engineer, so i'm a little ignorant on the subject...i know a lot of the general public is concerned re: overdevelopment and possible links to flooding in the east side basins....whether or not these are valid concerns is the side point i guess....the city should perhaps consider more publically addressing the status of the problem and what the plan to address it is....

[PostModernPrometheus]

ps:

the SJ harbour webcam is back up & running on the www.cbc.ca/nb site....


some nice big cruiseships in today

[random11]

CBC News
An increased number of cruise ships calling into the port of Saint John will bring more than $1 million to the city's economy, says an official.

While Royal Caribbean International announced it will be cutting its calls to Charlottetown and Sydney, N.S., in 2009 to save money on fuel, it will be adding four ports of call to Saint John next season, said Bill Eaton, spokesman for the Saint John Port Authority.

Any ships that leave ports in the United States but are not flagged as American vessels —- and that includes most cruise ships —- are required to go to a foreign port, Eaton said.

If the cruise ship is leaving from the New England states, which is where Royal Caribbean is now expected to have more stops, the closest foreign port is Saint John, Eaton said.

Fifty-three cruise ships called into Saint John last year, while 81 have come to the port this season, he said.

"It's obvious the cruise lines and their passengers have taken to the city. They're happy with the reception they receive. They're happy with the tours we have available."

The addition of four more ships arriving in the port should bring an additional $1 million to the local economy next season, Eaton said.

Ross Klein, a professor at Memorial University in Newfoundland and Labrador, said the ports in the Maritimes working together would allow the region to continue to benefit from the cruise ships.

When the ports in the Maritimes compete with each other, they end up underselling their services to the industry, said Klein, who researches the cruise industry.

If the Maritime ports offered packaged deals or similar rates, it could result in a larger return for the region, he said.

"I've encouraged for some time that ports should be working together co-operatively so they don't get played off," Klein said. "The ports of Halifax, Sydney, Charlottetown and Saint John have an interest in working as a unit -- as a group that can't be divided and perhaps work out some sort of scheme whereby the port charges are for the region."

Eaton agreed that though Saint John is positioned to receive more cruise ship traffic, it's not good news for the region.

"Ultimately what's good for Sydney, and what's good for Charlottetown and Halifax is good for Saint John," he said.

Attempts to handle fuel costs
Cruise ship lines also have a tendency to reduce lengths of tours and the speed of their ships to deal with fuel costs, Eaton said.

If a cruise ship is spending more time at sea, it's likely people will be spending more of their money aboard ships than in ports, Klein said.

"Well it's very likely they won't have as much money to spend because they'll spend more money on board the ships because they'll be on the ship more often," he said.

"At the same time, Saint John will be in a more enviable position because ships are looking for the ports closer to the ports they leave from in the U.S."

[PostModernPrometheus]

While Royal Caribbean International announced it will be cutting its calls to Charlottetown and Sydney, N.S., in 2009 to save money on fuel, it will be adding four ports of call to Saint John next season, said Bill Eaton, spokesman for the Saint John Port Authority.

Any ships that leave ports in the United States but are not flagged as American vessels —- and that includes most cruise ships —- are required to go to a foreign port, Eaton said.




now that, I was not aware of.....learn something new everyday....

[Downtown Bolivar]

^^^Since just about all ships are flagged as Panamanian, this is really good news for Saint John. I'm looking forward to the developments on the Westside. My grandparents live on Manawogonish (sp?) Road and the area in the valley below them has always struck me as being a real hodgepodge (mess). As a child my image of retail on the West Side was Biway and Kmart. Glad that's changing for the better.