The Official Saint John, NB Project Thread - Page 300

JHikka · #**5981** Posted **May 11, 2011, 5:55 PM**

Alright. Photo Update Time:

UNBSJ Commons (November 11th, 2010):

UNBSJ Commons (May 11th, 2011)

Lansdowne Avenue Apartments (August 2nd, 2010):

Lansdowne Avenue Apartments (May 11th, 2011):

All photos by myself.

JHikka · #**5982** Posted **May 13, 2011, 5:46 PM**

Well, since no-one wanted to comment, I took some more photos.

Corner of Douglas Avenue & Clarendon Street (July 7th, 2009):

Corner of Douglas Avenue & Clarendon Street (May 13th, 2011):

Corner of Douglas Avenue & Main Street (May 13th, 2011):

For once on this forum, i'm actually going to be optimistic for a second: I'm really excited about the recent developments in this part of town. True, the first renovation picture was done by the Irvings because it's an Irving owned lot, which they don't rent out, but the second development by Floor Fashions fills a really big hole on Main Street, which should improve the look of it.

As well, Adelaide Street has been seeing some renovations lately, and although it's probably more financially sound to tear down old buildings and start anew, i'm not going to chastise people for wanting to redevelop run down properties in poverty areas. Adelaide street seems to be improving as of late, but unfortunately it will remain as a corridor between the North End and other parts of the city.

I know this part of the city needs a lot more work, but something's better than nothing, right?

cdnguys · #**5983** Posted **May 15, 2011, 8:19 PM**

Did Rocca change the design of the first building going up? It is supposed to be 9 stories with a roof making it 10 stories. I noticed that there are 7 floors built using concrete - and now there is steel beams going up that are recessed a bit - almost appears as the roof. Wondering if 2 floors were sliced off or this is part of the design - maybe to accomodate higher ceilings in the upper floors???

michael_d40 · #**5984** Posted **May 16, 2011, 11:20 AM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by cdnguys

Did Rocca change the design of the first building going up? It is supposed to be 9 stories with a roof making it 10 stories. I noticed that there are 7 floors built using concrete - and now there is steel beams going up that are recessed a bit - almost appears as the roof. Wondering if 2 floors were sliced off or this is part of the design - maybe to accomodate higher ceilings in the upper floors???

I actually asked John this question yesterday. (He's the developer of where I currently live)

According to him, the design of Harbourfront Residences has not changed.

nwalbert · #**5985** Posted **May 16, 2011, 12:53 PM**

Nice picture GregHickamn! I especially like the UNBSJ building. The campus has totally morphed in the last 5-6 years.

JHikka · #**5986** Posted **May 16, 2011, 2:12 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by nwalbert

The campus has totally morphed in the last 5-6 years.

Yup. Heading toward polytechnique like you don't even know.

RaginRonic · #**5987** Posted **May 17, 2011, 2:13 AM**

I know this may not have anything to do with construction, but I'd like to give my props and congratulations to the Saint John Sea Dogs for winning the President's Cup in the QMJHL! Big Game 6 win for them, and now they're on to Mississauga for the Memorial Cup...DOOOOOOOOOGGGGIIIIIIIIEEEEEESSSSSSSSSSSSSS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! =D

mylesmalley · #**5988** Posted **May 23, 2011, 1:13 AM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by GregHickman

Yup. Heading toward polytechnique like you don't even know.

I often think that if they'd just called it University of Saint John, we could have avoided that entire mess. Commons looks great though!

nwalbert · #**5989** Posted **May 23, 2011, 3:03 AM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by GregHickman

Yup. Heading toward polytechnique like you don't even know.

In what way? The opening of the Medical school is certainly not a step in that direction.

OliverD · #**5990** Posted **May 23, 2011, 5:17 AM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by GregHickman

Yup. Heading toward polytechnique like you don't even know.

I still don't understand why that's a bad thing.

JHikka · #**5991** Posted **May 23, 2011, 12:27 PM**

They've been eliminating a lot of subjects in recent years. They're cutting back on my current major (Political Science) as well as all Linguistics, History, and just about every Arts related subject that isn't Psychology.

Unless you're in Business, Psych or Med, I wouldn't suggest attending the university.

It's a bad thing because they're trying to funnel what comes out of the University in a very particular manner. The school, in the time that I have been there, has become very bureaucratized from the top down, and it's just phasing out subjects taught in the school. UNBSJ could be an excellent all-around school in 10-15 years if they weren't eliminating subjects and cutting down their student base to 2-3 subject fields.

nwalbert · #**5992** Posted **May 23, 2011, 4:19 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by GregHickman

They've been eliminating a lot of subjects in recent years. They're cutting back on my current major (Political Science) as well as all Linguistics, History, and just about every Arts related subject that isn't Psychology.

Unless you're in Business, Psych or Med, I wouldn't suggest attending the university.

It's a bad thing because they're trying to funnel what comes out of the University in a very particular manner. The school, in the time that I have been there, has become very bureaucratized from the top down, and it's just phasing out subjects taught in the school. UNBSJ could be an excellent all-around school in 10-15 years if they weren't eliminating subjects and cutting down their student base to 2-3 subject fields.

UNNBSJ offers Education, Business, Computer Science, Engineering, MBA's , Marine Biology and many others.

They may well be cutting back on Political Science but I don't believe that to be indicative of an overall trend at the school.

UNBSJ has absolutely been moving in the right direction. It is a good all around school and could be independent if it so desired.

JHikka · #**5993** Posted **May 23, 2011, 7:12 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by nwalbert

UNBSJ has absolutely been moving in the right direction. It is a good all around school and could be independent if it so desired.

If you think so, then alright.

Are they still digging for the parking garage uptown or have they begun putting that together? As well, Harbourfront Condos are looking pretty large from the Harbour Bridge.

nwalbert · #**5994** Posted **May 24, 2011, 3:01 AM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by GregHickman

If you think so, then alright.

Yes, if you look at their finances and enrollment numbers, things are very good. Sorry to hear you are upset about some of your courses no longer being offered.

JHikka · #**5995** Posted **May 24, 2011, 12:11 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by nwalbert

Yes, if you look at their finances and enrollment numbers, things are very good. Sorry to hear you are upset about some of your courses no longer being offered.

It's not just my courses, it's Arts in general. If you want a solely technical school you can look towards NBCC.

kwajo · #**5996** Posted **May 25, 2011, 12:08 PM**

A couple bad cell phone images of the Harbourfront Residences, one of which shows the Water Street exterior cladding going up.

(photos by me; May 25, 2011)

JHikka · #**5997** Posted **May 25, 2011, 3:42 PM**

Photo party.

Corner of Main Street & Douglas Avenue construction. Another floor added:

The Fortress of Vengeance is taking a bit more shape:

Peel Plaza taking shape:

As much as I disagree with the whole development of Peel Plaza and the Fortress of Vengeance, I really think they're going to turn out well once they're finished and being used. I think it improves Union Street.

nwalbert · #**5998** Posted **May 25, 2011, 4:29 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by GregHickman

As much as I disagree with the whole development of Peel Plaza and the Fortress of Vengeance, I really think they're going to turn out well once they're finished and being used. I think it improves Union Street.

I agree with everything you said. If the Coast Guard site project also gets off the ground combined with the waterfront condo's it will have been an amazing year for uptown construction.

JHikka · #**5999** Posted **May 25, 2011, 5:23 PM**

As well, Common Council approved a zoning amendment for the corner of Fairville Boulevard & Catherwood Street. Apparently Smartcentres is in on it and would like to build retail and restaurants. If I recall from previous Smartcentre locations, don't they usually just build strip-mallish retail? If that whole corner just turns into a strip mall i'll be a little let-down. Don't ask me what i'd prefer there, but a strip mall?

Regardless, they say they already have interested tenants and can begin work on the site in the fall once Council votes on it in two weeks' time.

Also, I thought Irving owned this land and were looking at expanding the land for a future development. What happened to that?

nwalbert · #**6000** Posted **May 25, 2011, 6:04 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by GregHickman

As well, Common Council approved a zoning amendment for the corner of Fairville Boulevard & Catherwood Street. Apparently Smartcentres is in on it and would like to build retail and restaurants. If I recall from previous Smartcentre locations, don't they usually just build strip-mallish retail? If that whole corner just turns into a strip mall i'll be a little let-down. Don't ask me what i'd prefer there, but a strip mall?

Regardless, they say they already have interested tenants and can begin work on the site in the fall once Council votes on it in two weeks' time.

Also, I thought Irving owned this land and were looking at expanding the land for a future development. What happened to that?

I actually happned to be at the PAC meeting where this was discussed as they were also discussing the possible expansion of my neighborhood.

This development is across the street from the Irving corner. This is the piece of land beside the new Lawtons that used to be "Action Realty". During the meeting it was discussed it would either be a drive through or a small (3 unit) strip mall. Across the street is still planned to be a new Kents as far as I know.