The Official Saint John, NB Project Thread

[JHikka]

Originally Posted by michael_d40

Another Boston Pizza.

Good news. I'd prefer that over a fast food restaurant similar to McDonald's or Burger King. This also continue their trend of duplicating what is already over East. All the west side needs now is their movie theatre and they're set.

I've noticed in those plans that they want to have an outdoor patio facing the Catherwood/Fairville intersection. That's interesting.

[michael_d40]

Originally Posted by GregHickman

I've noticed in those plans that they want to have an outdoor patio facing the Catherwood/Fairville intersection. That's interesting.

Don't they all have outdoor patios?

[thefishingnut]

Originally Posted by GregHickman

I'm under the assumption that it's the new Billion-dollar Chinese investment in Sussex which utilizes the Port in Saint John. I'd be very surprised if it was a 2nd refinery.

We're also speaking about things that Mayor Court says, so bring out the grains of salt.

That would be incredibly disappointing if that is what he is talking about. Comparing a $25 billion shipbuilding contract within the city with mine development 70 kms away? Even for a politician, that comparison to me is just too much of a stretch. I'll throw out another option for complete speculation, a second reactor.

[mylesmalley]

Unless the province found a couple of spare billions under the couch cushions at the Legislator, I can't see a new reactor happening any time soon.

That, and combined with shale gas, 'omg radiation!!!' would probably put this place over the edge.

[thefishingnut]

Well, if there is a business case to export power then there can be options for development besides 100% public money. And if they've actually finally stopped trying to twin or triple every road in the province then they might be able to swing something.

[JHikka]

Originally Posted by michael_d40

Don't they all have outdoor patios?

Most do, but sitting on a patio next to a busy, noisy intersection doesn't seem like a place where i'd like to eat. Perhaps others feel differently.

Originally Posted by thefishingnut

That would be incredibly disappointing if that is what he is talking about. Comparing a $25 billion shipbuilding contract within the city with mine development 70 kms away? Even for a politician, that comparison to me is just too much of a stretch. I'll throw out another option for complete speculation, a second reactor.

I can't remember the exact details I heard a few months back, but if the initial investment is successful then this Chinese company would be willing to invest somewhere in the neighbourhood of $5Billion (my number could be wrong, i'm running with old memory). Even if all the jobs and work is done in Sussex, it's 1)Still supporting the local economy and 2)All going through the Port in Saint John.

As an aside, I think it would be a bit of a stretch to call Mayor Court a politician. I'm sure I, along with a lot of other people, could say some nasty things, but this is neither the time nor the place for such a discussion. Professional politicians are at the Provincial and Federal levels. You get a different level of professionalism at the municipal level.

Originally Posted by mylesmalley

Unless the province found a couple of spare billions under the couch cushions at the Legislator, I can't see a new reactor happening any time soon.

That, and combined with shale gas, 'omg radiation!!!' would probably put this place over the edge.

They still have to finish the refurbishing, don't they? The whole thing's a mess.

[nwalbert]

Originally Posted by GregHickman

They still have to finish the refurbishing, don't they? The whole thing's a mess.

Yes, the refurb is still in progress, however it is actually in the final stages and things are going well after some of the major setbacks that occurred.

I would be surprised to see the provincial government release plans for second reactor but who knows.

Agreed that this would be a stretch even for Mayor Court, I am optimistic there is in fact something substantial on the horizon. With the provincial and national economies mostly stagnant it would be great to see something announced locally.

[michael_d40]

Originally Posted by GregHickman

Most do, but sitting on a patio next to a busy, noisy intersection doesn't seem like a place where i'd like to eat. Perhaps others feel differently.

You mean like the current patio facing Major Brook Drive? lol

[JHikka]

Originally Posted by michael_d40

You mean like the current patio facing Major Brook Drive? lol

Not exactly scenic or tranquil, huh?

In terms of a second reactor at Lepreau: It would have been wise to build the second reactor before the refurbishment of the first so that you could have at least one operating continuously. Myles was correct in stating that there's little money from either the provincial or federal governments at the moment, so the possibility seems slim.

[Wolkenkratzerliebhab]

Originally Posted by thefishingnut

That would be incredibly disappointing if that is what he is talking about. Comparing a $25 billion shipbuilding contract within the city with mine development 70 kms away? Even for a politician, that comparison to me is just too much of a stretch. I'll throw out another option for complete speculation, a second reactor.

I agree, because I remember that a French nuclear giant wanted to build one or more reactors, and that would be a good thing indeed! The Sussex potash is only a $1.5 billion dollar deal. It's big, but no where near as big as what Halifax is getting. Irving also wanted to build a liquid power generator and a massive wind farm, so that another possibility, but sadly, we are going to have to wait it out!

[JHikka]

Originally Posted by Wolkenkratzerliebhab

The Sussex potash is only a $1.5 billion dollar deal. It's big, but no where near as big as what Halifax is getting.

Just out of curiosity: Why do we keep comparing ourselves to Halifax and the shipbuilding contract? I know Saint John used to be big-time, but we're punching above our weight if we're to believe that we can compete with a city/region that has 3x the population base. I'm all for Saint John being an economic leader, don't get me wrong, but when people start pooh-poohing $1.5 billion dollar investments because they're not as big as what other cities are getting it starts to become a bit questionable in regards to where our priorities lie. We should be happy that we can get whatever we can take at this point. Not trying to shoot you down; just generally interested in the whole mindset.

Has there been any word on tidal power lately? That whole thing seems to have fallen off the radar recently.

[SJTOKO]

Sorry to ruin the big surprise for everyone, but the "big surprise" is in fact related to the Potash deal in Sussex.

A large factory will be built in Saint John to process the potash (or something to that effect)....

Quite a few jobs will be created, and the port will see a lot of business.


That is all...

[thefishingnut]

Originally Posted by GregHickman

Just out of curiosity: Why do we keep comparing ourselves to Halifax and the shipbuilding contract? I know Saint John used to be big-time, but we're punching above our weight if we're to believe that we can compete with a city/region that has 3x the population base. I'm all for Saint John being an economic leader, don't get me wrong, but when people start pooh-poohing $1.5 billion dollar investments because they're not as big as what other cities are getting it starts to become a bit questionable in regards to where our priorities lie. We should be happy that we can get whatever we can take at this point. Not trying to shoot you down; just generally interested in the whole mindset.

Has there been any word on tidal power lately? That whole thing seems to have fallen off the radar recently.

I agree, we're just commenting/speculating on a quote from the mayor who has decided to compare it to a $25 billion project:

"If you asked him, Mayor Ivan Court would be one of the first to say that 2011 was a roller coaster year.

Saint John triumphed at the Memorial Cup but was also plagued with a pension crisis.

That aside, Mayor Court says he looks forward to 2012 and a major announcement within the next three months that will create jobs in the city. "We compare it to the project that's happening in Halifax", says Court. " It's one that's high paying jobs and will be good news for the citizens of Saint John."

[philster]

Originally Posted by nwalbert

Aquarius is not a rumor, it is fact. The Aquarius, the old CarQuest lot, and the old Co-Cop Lot have all been sold. Something very significant is going in there retail wise.

Wal-Mart will open in the old Zellers building.

The lot near the Lawtons is fast food. They went through some citizen concerns on the drive-thru about six months back. Not sure which chain however.

I have heard nothing on the old Blockbuster building.

However, I do find it interesting that the For Sale Sign on the Property of the old Co Op is still up, and the same with Car Quest, and I do believe seeing another vacent building beside Coast Tire also for Sale. I don't recall ever seeing the for sale sign being taken down off the old Co Op Site since they closed.

The only thing about the AQ is I do recall us discussing this last year around this time as well.

[cdnguys]

The potash processing plant - are the " high paying " jobs in the construction of it or the workers in it? How many long term jobs would it bring? Where would they build it? How do you know this is a fact???
Wonder if they will ask for a tax deal like Canaport

[JHikka]

Originally Posted by cdnguys

Wonder if they will ask for a tax deal like Canaport

Depends. Who operates Canaport and who will be operating the potash processing plant?

Essentially the potash is mined in Sussex, shipped to Saint John, processed in Saint John, loaded on ships at the Port of Saint John, and then sent to Brazil or where ever else. It will be interesting to see where the processing plant will end up, because that will determine taxation.

[cdnguys]

Originally Posted by GregHickman

Depends. Who operates Canaport and who will be operating the potash processing plant?

Essentially the potash is mined in Sussex, shipped to Saint John, processed in Saint John, loaded on ships at the Port of Saint John, and then sent to Brazil or where ever else. It will be interesting to see where the processing plant will end up, because that will determine taxation.

There was talk of the Saint John "region" to locate it. But if the mayor is excited one would think Saint John. Unless its right on port property, it would make sense to process it in Sussex and ship it by train just the once. The only ideal location I can think of as far as access to rail lines to their terminal would be behind Crown Street where the old cotton mill used to be - but who knows how big they are. I googled it and other new plants around the world range from $500 million to 1.5 Biliion to build. I,m just glad we are realizing that we should send out value added product rather than raw product so that jobs are created here and we benefit from our natural resources.

[JHikka]

Originally Posted by cdnguys

I googled it and other new plants around the world range from $500 million to 1.5 Biliion to build. I,m just glad we are realizing that we should send out value added product rather than raw product so that jobs are created here and we benefit from our natural resources.

Completely agree.

Originally Posted by cdnguys

Unless its right on port property

If you're referring to the Lantic Sugar Site I, along with PlanSJ, would have a stroke . It would make sense to have the plant in Sussex, I would think, but we'll have to wait and see.

Either way i'm all for Sussex exploding from this economic activity.

[Wolkenkratzerliebhab]

I was talking to a professional welder this evenning, and he said that rumors coming from his union was that the refinery deal was indeed a real possibility, and that would make it at least
a $10 billion or more project, making it a mega-project like the Halifax shipyard contract. However, until we get more information on what in hell the mayor is talking about, rumors are just that...rumors!

[Wolkenkratzerliebhab]

Originally Posted by GregHickman

Just out of curiosity: Why do we keep comparing ourselves to Halifax and the shipbuilding contract? .

The reason is simple: The mayor compared it to Halifax, plain and simple!