[St. John's] The Official Project Thread - Page 350

AllBlack · #**6981** Posted **Jan 2, 2013, 3:13 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by SignalHillHiker

Well, that's fantastic news. And this particular location is acceptable for a building of height. I mean, it's between Scotia Place and Atlantic Place.

Between Scotia Centre and Murray Premises actually.

Wasn't it mentioned earlier that some street realignment would have to take place? I'm assuming Beck's Cove would be affected..? In that case then only the smaller Water Street facade of the Grace Building might be preserved. Might the eastern facade of Murray Premises be affected? So many questions...

PoscStudent · #**6982** Posted **Jan 2, 2013, 3:14 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by SignalHillHiker

It's not about pictures - that's just one aspect of view planes and one of the benefits of having an attractive city

What view planes?

statbass · #**6983** Posted **Jan 2, 2013, 3:14 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by christopher_chafe

The design that they went with, which is the most economically feasible for this company was to tear down the Bowerings building all together and build 3 bulidings on that site. With the Office Tower taking up part of Harbor Drive almost right back to the apron.

EA Games/Bioware already had an agreement in principle with the developer to purchase 6 floors of the 22 story building and set up a state of the art development centre here in St. John's as they know and are aware of the talent that reside here in NL when it comes to the Gaming industry (after all close to 35% of their employees in Edmonton, Vancouver and Montreal are from here).

They were starting off in the 200 jobs range and obviously hiring more as time went on, plus they were not part time nor minimum wage jobs that this city is so well known for. A secretary would make $48k a year (with no experience) or someone in my shoes with 7 years experience in the Web Sector would make in excess of 100K.

Incase you guys are wondering where I got the information about EA games.....they are the company that I am going working in Edmonton starting Feb 11.

The design would be very similar to Kings Wharf in Darthmouth, NS

So forgive me if I sound so passionate about a proposal that would undoubtedly put this city on the map.

My goodness, how can a development be shot down without any thorough thought process - especially if it can bring 200+ full time, well paying jobs! If this is indeed true, it needs to be fought tooth and nail. May be there's a way for the pro-development community to bring out some big guns in support of this.... let's be very vocal here people.

SignalHillHiker · #**6984** Posted **Jan 2, 2013, 3:16 PM**

Sounds like a brilliant proposal in suitable location. Fingers crossed it's attractive and approved.

SignalHillHiker · #**6985** Posted **Jan 2, 2013, 3:17 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by AllBlack

Between Scotia Centre and Murray Premises actually.

Oh, yes, sorry! Mixed up the directions in my mind.

Architype · #**6986** Posted **Jan 2, 2013, 3:18 PM**

What a lively discussion today.

I agree with almost everything said above in one way or another.

The Bowrings building facade is not original, so as far as I know it has no heritage value anymore. The back of the building, the parking lot entrance, is cited as an example of 60's modern, but it's unfortunately not enough to consider for heritage preservation unless there is some ingenious planning involved. The small Grace building on the corner however is a landmark and any responsible developer would try and keep it intact.

Grace Building: http://www.nlgeotourism.com/content/the-grace-building/nfl5AE7960FA16258DEB
Bowrings Building: http://www.heritage.nf.ca/law/merchants.html

Townie709 · #**6987** Posted **Jan 2, 2013, 3:18 PM**

Six stories of retail??? That is exactly what we need to bring the DT to life again!! It can do the job AP never could, and with all the condo developments going on as well as the 13 stories of condos/apartments, the population base should be there to support some kind of shopping center. This is the development I hoped and dreamed to see sometime in my lifetime. I just never expected it so soon. I really, really, really hope and pry the design is beautiful and people are ready to accept it. Please accept it public

Edit: Statbass is right. We need to fight tooth and nail for this one. It increases density by ALOT with 13 stories of residential. It will bring at least 200 jobs to the downtown as well as provide much needed space to make way for other corporations to bring jobs to the downtown, it will have some sort of shopping center which will benefit those who live there (and in the area) and draw retail business to the downtown again. And what are the cons? I cannot think of one. This development MUST be given a fair trial and not shot down because it is simply tall. We, and the developers, need for fight for this proposal! This is my dream proposal for St. John's and I don't want to see it squashed

PoscStudent · #**6988** Posted **Jan 2, 2013, 3:19 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by christopher_chafe

And another aspect of having an attractive city is ensuring our YOUNG people stay here and are able to obtain well paying jobs, and please do not tell me that our Employment numbers are doing just fine, as employment numbers do not paint an accurate picture (take out the part time and minimum wage numbers and it won't be so rosey).

Well actually the trends are very good. Only a few cities have higher average wages and full times jobs are also higher here then many places. Though I agree with you on more jobs.

christopher_chafe · #**6989** Posted **Jan 2, 2013, 3:19 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by AllBlack

Between Scotia Centre and Murray Premises actually.

Wasn't it mentioned earlier that some street realignment would have to take place? I'm assuming Beck's Cove would be affected..? In that case then only the smaller Water Street facade of the Grace Building might be preserved. Might the eastern facade of Murray Premises be affected? So many questions...

It would have been Becks Cove and what ever the one is called between AP and SC.

Harbor Drive would be blocked as well from those streets.

When I meant alignment i meant in traffic flow and not in size.

christopher_chafe · #**6990** Posted **Jan 2, 2013, 3:23 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by PoscStudent

Well actually the trends are very good. Only a few cities have higher average wages and full times jobs are also higher here then many places. Though I agree with you on more jobs.

That's the problem we look at average wages and not actual wages. For example across the street where I live the young couple make in excess of 350k a year due to both working in the oil industry where as the house next to them only make roughly 80k as they work for the government.

So when you add those up and get the average of those 2 households it gives a skewed amount of 107,500 each, when in fact that is not the truth.

SignalHillHiker · #**6991** Posted **Jan 2, 2013, 3:27 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by Townie709

Six stories of retail??? That is exactly what we need to bring the DT to life again!! It can do the job AP never could, and with all the condo developments going on as well as the 13 stories of condos/apartments, the population base should be there to support some kind of shopping center. This is the development I hoped and dreamed to see sometime in my lifetime. I just never expected it so soon. I really, really, really hope and pry the design is beautiful and people are ready to accept it. Please accept it public

Edit: Statbass is right. We need to fight tooth and nail for this one. It increases density by ALOT with 13 stories of residential. It will bring at least 200 jobs to the downtown as well as provide much needed space to make way for other corporations to bring jobs to the downtown, it will have some sort of shopping center which will benefit those who live there (and in the area) and draw retail business to the downtown again. And what are the cons? I cannot think of one. This development MUST be given a fair trial and not shot down because it is simply tall. We, and the developers, need for fight for this proposal! This is my dream proposal for St. John's and I don't want to see it squashed

Completely agree. And I'll fight for it too - woohoo!

Townie709 · #**6992** Posted **Jan 2, 2013, 3:29 PM**

It seems like we have drawn quite a crowd today-- 40 people viewing and only 6 are members! To everyone who views this forum who is not officially signed up, please realize that this development will benefit our city in a way I never thought would happen for another 40 years. Please, Please don't let this development be shut down. Please fight for it with us! and feel free to sign up and join the conversation, the more the merrier!

christopher_chafe · #**6993** Posted **Jan 2, 2013, 3:30 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by Townie709

It seems like we have drawn quite a crowd today-- 40 people viewing and only 6 are members! To everyone who views this forum who is not officially signed up, please realize that this development will benefit our city in a way I never thought would happen for another 40 years. Please, Please don't let this development be shut down. Please fight for it with us! and feel free to sign up and join the conversation, the more the merrier!

40 years.........I figured it would be next century.

AllBlack · #**6994** Posted **Jan 2, 2013, 3:33 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by Townie709

It seems like we have drawn quite a crowd today-- 40 people viewing and only 6 are members! To everyone who views this forum who is not officially signed up, please realize that this development will benefit our city in a way I never thought would happen for another 40 years. Please, Please don't let this development be shut down. Please fight for it with us! and feel free to sign up and join the conversation, the more the merrier!

They also could be rubber boot spies...

christopher_chafe · #**6995** Posted **Jan 2, 2013, 3:35 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by AllBlack

They also could be rubber boot spies...

LOL or it could be the developers and tennant spying on us. Tho I'd bet my next paycheck that its the rubber boot gang

Architype · #**6996** Posted **Jan 2, 2013, 3:36 PM**

Just wondering, why do they call them the rubber boot gang?
Edit - Oh I think I just got it.

SignalHillHiker · #**6997** Posted **Jan 2, 2013, 3:37 PM**

Taken just now, from near my parents' home:

Snow Blowing into Mount Pearl by Signal Hill Hiker Photography, on Flickr

christopher_chafe · #**6998** Posted **Jan 2, 2013, 3:38 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by Architype

Just wondering, why do they call them the rubber boot gang?
Edit - Oh I think I just got it.

Townie709 · #**6999** Posted **Jan 2, 2013, 3:38 PM**

Hey, I just thought of something! Christ mentioned that two councilors were against the development (we all know who!) and one was on the fence. If the other councilors didn't speak out against the project, could that mean they are in favour of it? Doc mentioned developmentS That would improve the waterfront, not just one. Could it be that he has taken a firm stance to be pro-development to challenge O'Leary in the upcoming election??

It would be a risky strategy, but if he makes a good case for development (which really isn't that hard to do..) and sways the public opinion, he could be our saving grace! He really is the one person who can keep Silence O'Leary and keep her out of office. Best part is, if she loses the Mayoral racy, she's out of council for at least four years!

christopher_chafe · #**7000** Posted **Jan 2, 2013, 3:38 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by SignalHillHiker

Taken just now, from near my parents' home:

Snow Blowing into Mount Pearl by Signal Hill Hiker Photography, on Flickr

That's another thing we need to stop......not the snow but more developments of this type.

Although I must say that lemon colored house looks attractive.