The Official Saint John, NB Project Thread

[Joe]

I remember the plans for Imax, and that's pretty much how it went. As far as the skyline view, I prefer the view approaching the sitting from points west on the throughway. Just as you pass Saint John energy and come over that small hill the city is right there. Awesome view.

[kwajo]

Originally Posted by Joe

I remember the plans for Imax, and that's pretty much how it went. As far as the skyline view, I prefer the view approaching the sitting from points west on the throughway. Just as you pass Saint John energy and come over that small hill the city is right there. Awesome view.

Agreed on both counts. It was Trinity Church who owned the property and had issues with putting a movie theatre on the property (I think the argument had something to do with values, which is hilarious given that at the time IMAX films were generally all documentaries and that sort of thing). I can't imagine how much nicer it would have been than the Bargain Shop. Saint John was so close to having the best theatre district in Eastern Canada, because around the same time, the Odeon was being talked about being renovated into a performance space for smaller shows than the Imperial. So picture King Square, surrounded on each side by an IMAX theatre, the Paramount movie theatres, the Imperial, and the Odeon as a high-quality medium performance hall. That's unbeatable and vastly superior to what's there now. With all those people frequenting the area at night, the restaurant and bar scene would be phenomenal and I would hope that a couple of the parking lots on the perimeter of the square would see development as up-scale condos or apartments. God SJ screws up it's opportunities a lot.

And yes, the view from the throughway coming from West is really quite nice and makes SJ look a lot bigger and denser than any other part of the province by far.

[michael_d40]

Originally Posted by nwalbert

Now if only BMW would open a service center in Saint John I could really cut down on my trips to Moncton.

That would be pretty sweet. But I have a suspicion that market is pretty well tapped with Mercedes and soon to open Lexus. But we can always wish eh? Then again having Mercedes, Lexus and BMW side by side could be a selling point to.

[MonctonRad]

Originally Posted by nwalbert

As Kwajo said, its certainly not catastrophic, but it will be noticeable. Now if only BMW would open a service center in Saint John I could really cut down on my trips to Moncton.

As an aside, the Moncton dealerships has stopped Saturday service as a result of "drastically diminished" service. I know they were hot when it first opened, hopefully sales are still good.

I think the Beemer dealership in Moncton is doing just fine.................there are certainly enough BMW's parked in the doctor's parking lot at the Moncton Hospital.

Seriously though, I understand what you are saying about driving all over hell and creation to get servicing. This is the one thing preventing me from considering purchasing a Mercedes. I like Saint John well enough, but I object to driving 300 km round trip to get my oil changed!

[mylesmalley]

We just don't have the population or wealth to justify a Mercedes, BMW or Volvo dealership in each of the three cities.

Someday maybe...

[JHikka]

Originally Posted by MonctonRad

I think the Beemer dealership in Moncton is doing just fine.................there are certainly enough BMW's parked in the doctor's parking lot at the Moncton Hospital.

Have you seen the Bentley in that parking lot, too?

[kwajo]

Originally Posted by GregHickman

Have you seen the Bentley in that parking lot, too?

Probably belongs to MonctonRad

[MonctonRad]

Originally Posted by kwajo

Probably belongs to MonctonRad

Nah, I'm a Chrysler disciple (God help me). My wife drives a Beemer though

[Helladog]

Monolopoly is holding a vote to determine what Canadian cities should be featured on the new monopoly game. The twenty cities with the highest votes get a place on the board.

www.monopolyvote.ca

I had to laugh at he description for Saint John...

Saint John is located in southern New Brunswick, directly across the Bay of Fundy from Nova Scotia, and is the largest and one of the oldest incorporated cities in Canada. Attractions that shouldn't be missed are the renowned Old City Market, the oldest farmer’s market in Canada and the Fundy Trail, which offers spectacular views of the Bay of Fundy’s coastline and features the perfect spot to observe the highest tides in the world, and the natural phenomenon of the world famous Reversing Falls.

Apparently we are the largest city in Canada...

[kwajo]

Damn straight we are

[nwalbert]

Originally Posted by mylesmalley

We just don't have the population or wealth to justify a Mercedes, BMW or Volvo dealership in each of the three cities.

Someday maybe...

Volvo? really? I thought that sentence was going to be finished with either Lexus or Audi.

[Joe]

Most have probably seen these but for anybody that hasn't here is a link to view some renderings of the proposed Coast Guard Site redevelopement. Some of these were displayed at the Waterfront Developement openhouse.

http://www.hardmangroup.ca/development/dev_coastguard.html

[mylesmalley]

I love that project. I hope the whole thing goes through. My only concern is regarding parking. I know there's a structure planned, but it wouldn't be in place for a few years after phase I. Would the ground there be suitable for underground parking sufficient for that kind of density? My understanding is that a lot of those areas are built on fill.

I realize the goal is to create a pedestrian-friendly healthy community. I'm just thinking the office building and especially the hotel will need to have parking directly on site.

Also, has there been any suggestion to connect it to the existing pedway network uptown? Or would that even be possible?

[michael_d40]

Originally Posted by mylesmalley

Also, has there been any suggestion to connect it to the existing pedway network uptown? Or would that even be possible?

Hey Myles,

Apparently on there site during phase one they are supposed to connect it underground to Market Square. (Well that is if it ever goes ahead lol)
http://www.hardmangroup.ca/development/images/OverviewofPhases1.pdf

[kwajo]

The Coast Guard site has huge potential for the city, and I agree with all the above posters, I really hope to see it get going soon rather than lie dead on the drafting table. On a positive note however, the first Harbour Passage Eco-Hub is beginning construction late this Spring (it's already gone to tender and contracts have been awarded), and will open up a portion of the Coast guard site that hasn't been publicly accessible for as long as I can remember. It's a good first step I suppose.

[Joe]

At the Waterfront openhouse they said the Coast Guard site deal should happen any time now, and that they expect the project to move forward this year. Also Rocca will begin construction on tower one of the Waterfront residences in April.

[PersonPlaceorThing]

I was talking to some planners and architects who are really down on pedways. I don't know how or if the CG site will get linked in, but crossing loyalist plaza even in the dead of winter doesn't seem to harsh to me.

[SJResident]

Neat old pics of Saint John on facebook group, Old Pictures of Saint John

[JHikka]

Originally Posted by PersonPlaceorThing

I was talking to some planners and architects who are really down on pedways. I don't know how or if the CG site will get linked in, but crossing loyalist plaza even in the dead of winter doesn't seem to harsh to me.

That's understandable, but for the businesses and people on the CG site it would be a nice tie-in to the rest of the Uptown pedway. I know now that we already have from City Market to Harbour Station and the Hilton Hotel all accessible by pedway, and I think the CG site would be a nice extension of that. If possible, I think they should go for it. The indoor pedway system is one of the few things to boast about in our uptown, i'd say.

[PersonPlaceorThing]

The problem with pedways is that they allow people to bypass everything not in the pedway.

I'm guilty of walking in the pedway ignoring King Street the whole time.

With Brunswick Square holding so many people, it's sad to see how challenged the rest of King St. is. I think it is in partially because no one has to walk up and down King, when one can take the pedway from the market to market square and never have to leave the indoors.