The Official Saint John, NB Project Thread - Page 218

PersonPlaceorThing · #**4341** Posted **May 13, 2009, 2:51 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by SJResident

I noticed yesterday that there is a crane on the Lower West Side. Is that Blue Rock Court?

I've been told that it is. They are bringing in and placing the remaining prefab units.

ErickMontreal · #**4342** Posted **May 13, 2009, 3:47 PM**

Could you explain to me all the whining about the new police station ?

In some extent, SJ reminds me Montréal, a lot of talk, a lot of consultation, a lot of whining and in the end, nothing gets done.

PersonPlaceorThing · #**4343** Posted **May 13, 2009, 7:23 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by ErickMontreal

Could you explain to me all the whining about the new police station ?

In some extent, SJ reminds me Montréal, a lot of talk, a lot of consultation, a lot of whining and in the end, nothing gets done.

I can't explain it all, but I will gladly explain some of the many of the reasons I object to this.

1. The city's finance commissioner has indicated that the police station cost will require either a tax rate increase or service decreases.

2. The police station as proposed is ludicrously expensive. $28 million is too much money for such a structure in my mind.

3. The site that the police station is slated for is very near the most densely developed part of the city, and presumably should be used for a intense purpose – not a two storey police station.

4. The city has many more pressing infrastructure needs.

5. Private developers are already stimulating the uptown, the city doesn’t have to p*ss away money in a faulty attempt at the same.

6. Never have I heard of a non-police officer choosing her/his city to live in based on the police station.

7. The city has wasted too much money on this already and is sure to continue fumbling with the project. The land acquisition costs alone are shameful.

8. Never has a cost benefit analysis been presented to the public justifying the expenditure.

9. If the police station has been woefully inadequate for decades, and city officials claim our policing is fine (I tend to agree, I feel safe in my south end neighbourhood), why is it necessary to change from the status quo?

10. The police station will not create new tax revenue - it will create less tax revenue than the site earned last year. Even the controversial LNG tax incentive increased tax revenue, rather than ate away at it.

ErickMontreal · #**4344** Posted **May 14, 2009, 1:35 AM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by PersonPlaceorThing

I can't explain it all, but I will gladly explain some of the many of the reasons I object to this.

1. The city's finance commissioner has indicated that the police station cost will require either a tax rate increase or service decreases.

2. The police station as proposed is ludicrously expensive. $28 million is too much money for such a structure in my mind.

3. The site that the police station is slated for is very near the most densely developed part of the city, and presumably should be used for a intense purpose – not a two storey police station.

4. The city has many more pressing infrastructure needs.

5. Private developers are already stimulating the uptown, the city doesn’t have to p*ss away money in a faulty attempt at the same.

6. Never have I heard of a non-police officer choosing her/his city to live in based on the police station.

7. The city has wasted too much money on this already and is sure to continue fumbling with the project. The land acquisition costs alone are shameful.

8. Never has a cost benefit analysis been presented to the public justifying the expenditure.

9. If the police station has been woefully inadequate for decades, and city officials claim our policing is fine (I tend to agree, I feel safe in my south end neighbourhood), why is it necessary to change from the status quo?

10. The police station will not create new tax revenue - it will create less tax revenue than the site earned last year. Even the controversial LNG tax incentive increased tax revenue, rather than ate away at it.

Great post, I better understand why the people complains about it that much. However, don't you think, at this point in time, they should move ahead considering the decent amount of money that have been poured in ?

Maybe the city could keep the land and then conducts a request for proposal ( Commercial, Hotel, Condo ect). At the end of the day, that would be likely more valuable for the taxpayers.

PersonPlaceorThing · #**4345** Posted **May 14, 2009, 1:52 AM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by ErickMontreal

Great post, I better understand why the people complains about it that much. However, don't you think, at this point in time, they should move ahead considering the decent amount of money that have been poured in ?

Maybe the city could keep the land and then conducts a request for proposal ( Commercial, Hotel, Condo ect). At the end of the day, that would be likely more valuable for the taxpayers.

I think the land would be better used for something that generates revenue. You are right, a commercial, hotel or condo project is a better use than a police station. They have spent around $7 million on the land and plans. They could make that back through taxes on a commercial development, and use the land for parking for the short term.

ErickMontreal · #**4346** Posted **May 14, 2009, 2:26 AM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by PersonPlaceorThing

I think the land would be better used for something that generates revenue. You are right, a commercial, hotel or condo project is a better use than a police station. They have spent around $7 million on the land and plans. They could make that back through taxes on a commercial development, and use the land for parking for the short term.

Sounds good to me.

However, If they stop the process now and try to change it to do something else, does that mean the city will put on-hold the parking garage project ?

Helladog · #**4347** Posted **May 14, 2009, 2:29 AM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by PersonPlaceorThing

I think the land would be better used for something that generates revenue. You are right, a commercial, hotel or condo project is a better use than a police station. They have spent around $7 million on the land and plans. They could make that back through taxes on a commercial development, and use the land for parking for the short term.

The original plan did call for the addition of some density (office and residential), and even now, there is talk of a multistorey apartment building atop the parking garage. Until now, the parking lot may have brought in some revenue, but with the right partnership, this thing can be brought back.

Unfortunately, $8-million has been spent so far, and council is still debating rather than looking for the right mix.

kwajo · #**4348** Posted **May 14, 2009, 12:49 PM**

Interesting sight on the walk to work this morning: the old Spago's location on King Street has a new black awning going up that says 'urbandeli' on it. Very slick looking.

PersonPlaceorThing · #**4349** Posted **May 14, 2009, 1:52 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by kwajo

Interesting sight on the walk to work this morning: the old Spago's location on King Street has a new black awning going up that says 'urbandeli' on it. Very slick looking.

I've heard that they will smoke their own meat.

michael_d40 · #**4350** Posted **May 14, 2009, 2:25 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by kwajo

Interesting sight on the walk to work this morning: the old Spago's location on King Street has a new black awning going up that says 'urbandeli' on it. Very slick looking.

Were you able to get a photo?

thebrad · #**4351** Posted **May 14, 2009, 8:37 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by PersonPlaceorThing

I've heard that they will smoke their own meat.

left wide open for comment

magee_b · #**4352** Posted **May 14, 2009, 10:35 PM**

Saw this online:

Quote:

AIRPORT REPORTS RECORD-SETTING RESULTS
May 11, 2009
Last week’s Annual General Meeting for the Saint John Airport proved to be a “good news” story on several fronts. Airport President & CEO Bernard LeBlanc reported that 2008 passenger numbers, which reached over 245,000, were the highest in Saint John Airport’s history. Mr. LeBlanc attributes the growth largely to the economic activity in the region, supported by seasonal service to two sun destinations by Sunwing Airlines, daily three-season service to Toronto on WestJet Airlines, and additional summer capacity offered by Air Canada Jazz.

On May 15, WestJet returns to Saint John for a third season. “Their service has injected new energy into the local marketplace, and provides Saint John travellers with additional capacity to our number one destination – Toronto, and connecting cities, on their 136-seat jet”, says Mr. LeBlanc. “We are certain WestJet will have another successful season here this year, but ultimately our goal is for them to fill enough seats to stay year-round.”

Having year-round WestJet service would also support the first business priority identified by the Saint John Board of Trade at their Annual Meeting earlier in the week – that of improving air access to support the energy hub. “We certainly need the entire community to support this effort” adds Mr. LeBlanc, “and we were very pleased to see the emphasis that the business community is going to place on helping us achieve that goal.” In addition to seeking new airline partners, the Airport continues to work with its primary carrier Air Canada Jazz to increase capacity to the Halifax, Montreal and Toronto hubs.

Having just wrapped up their most successful season ever in Saint John with service to Cuba and Mexico, Sunwing Airlines is currently negotiating with the Airport to offer three sun destinations for the next three winters. “Sunwing has proven that they can offer a competitive product for local travellers”, says LeBlanc. “As customer awareness and booking numbers continue to grow, the offerings from Saint John will surely increase as well.”

A review of the Airport’s financial findings, presented by auditor Andrew Logan of Teed Saunders Doyle & Co. revealed an operating surplus of just over $700,000, and an investment of $855,000 into the long-term capital asset replacement fund, bringing the fund balance to approx. $2.6 million. Airport officials estimate expenses of approximately $20 million to maintain existing infrastructure, including runways, for business continuity over the next ten years.

Meanwhile, Bernard LeBlanc reported that the Airport has made application for funding support from both the federal and provincial governments under the Building Canada Fund. The shared investment would allow for enhancements to the parking area, terminal building, and runway lighting. The modest terminal building expansion would allow for counter space for an additional air carrier – which is not possible given the present terminal size. The Airport is now awaiting a federal/provincial government decision on funding availability.

Mr., LeBlanc thanked the municipalities of Saint John, Quispamsis, Rothesay, Grand Bay-Westfield, Hampton, and St.Stephen, as well Enterprise Saint John, Enterprise Fundy, Enterprise Charlotte, the Saint John Board of Trade, the Atlantica Center for Energy, Ganong Bros and Irving Oil, for submitting letters of support for the application.

homebody · #**4353** Posted **May 15, 2009, 1:00 AM**

Sunwing has already updated their destination list for next year. It includes: Punta Cana, D.R., Veradero, Cuba and Cancun, Mexico. It will be positive for the airport having three destinations instead of two.

kwajo · #**4354** Posted **May 15, 2009, 11:56 AM**

Quote:

They kept pouring and pouring and pouring ...
Published Friday May 15th, 2009

Health care Avondale Construction poured more than 100 trucks worth of concrete at the Regional Hospital in less than 12 hours
C4
MARY-ELLEN SAUNDERS
TELEGRAPH-JOURNAL
SAINT JOHN - Almost 12 hours and more than 100 truckloads of concrete were needed to build bunker suites to house two new radiation machines at the Saint John Regional Hospital.

Art Winslow, branch manager of Avondale Construction Ltd., said the company built the concrete bunkers last Saturday as part of a $5-million-plus addition to the Saint John oncology department.

The project is the result of collaboration between the federal and provincial governments to reduce the waiting times for radiation therapy and help physicians treat patients with cancer.

Winslow said the construction company had a large and complex project on its hands when building the walls of the bunker suites.

A linear accelerator is used for external beam radiation for cancer patients. It delivers a high-energy X-ray beam to a patient's tumor that destroys cancer cells and leaves normal tissue in tact. The accelerator must be housed in a bunk with thick lead and concrete walls so that the X-rays do not escape.

"The walls are five feet thick, 20 feet high and the footprint is 3,000 square feet," Winslow said. "What was unique about this was the sheer volume of concrete to be poured. It had to be done in one day because you can't stop and start. If concrete sets up and you pour on top, you end up with a cold joint, and when you are dealing with the radiation these machines are giving off, if you have a cold joint the radiation may leak through."

The company will continue to build the extension throughout the summer and plan to finish in the spring of 2010.

There are three construction projects underway at the Regional Hospital this spring and summer.

An expansion to the emergency department and new anatomy and histology teaching labs are also being built.

The three projects will cost a total of about $50 million.

Chrystiane Mallaley, spokeswoman with the provincial supply and services department, said the expansion to the emergency department is a five-phase project.

The rock excavation, site work and new emergency room entrance have been completed for about $5.7 million.

Avondale Construction was awarded a $2-million contract to build the emergency room's concrete foundation and a $2.58-million contract to build the emergency room's steel structure. The main construction contract will go to tender next month.

The project is expected to be finished by late summer 2010.

Construction of the anatomy and histology teaching lab, a two-phase project, has not started. A tender to relocate lab storage is expected to go out this month. A tender for the construction of the lab is expected to go out in July.

The lab has a completion deadline of late winter 2010.

Five-foot thick walls, 20-feet high? This almost warrants a trip to the hospital just to check the walls out

ErickMontreal · #**4355** Posted **May 15, 2009, 3:03 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by kwajo

Interesting sight on the walk to work this morning: the old Spago's location on King Street has a new black awning going up that says 'urbandeli' on it. Very slick looking.

Quote:

Originally Posted by michael_d40

Were you able to get a photo?

Fortuitously, I took a pic of it that I did not include in the photo thread :

michael_d40 · #**4356** Posted **May 15, 2009, 3:40 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by ErickMontreal

Fortuitously, I took a pic of it that I did not include in the photo thread :

Well Well Well.. Look at SJ getting all classy on us lol

PersonPlaceorThing · #**4357** Posted **May 15, 2009, 7:11 PM**

To save some of you from having to call me out on this:

Quote:

Originally Posted by PersonPlaceorThing

1. The city's finance commissioner has indicated that the police station cost will require either a tax rate increase or service decreases.

I guess I did some interpolation from what Yeomans has said. A Telegraph Journal article today at:
http://telegraphjournal.canadaeast.com/city/article/668070 outlines some of the commissioner's comments on tax rate and spending.

He points out that if all projects happen there will be a tax increase; this council seems to be pushing forward on most of these big projects (with the exception of some of the recreation spending). While Yeomans did not say "Peel Plaza will increase the tax rate," it concerns me that this council will not heed his advice and moving ahead with this project will either mean an increase in the tax rate, or other priorities that I value more will be cut.

I suppose I could tone down the rhetoric a bit in the future.