The Official Saint John, NB Project Thread - Page 424

kwajo · #**8461** Posted **Feb 12, 2013, 1:35 PM**

Good news from the Port

Quote:

January Port Traffic Shows Significant Gains

Saint John (NB) – Port Saint John reports significant tonnage gains in nearly all sectors of port traffic for the month of January 2013 with total tonnage for the Port achieving a 20% increase over January 2012 (from 2,147,200 to 2,573,100 metric tonnes).

Gains are in the following sectors:

Liquid bulk: a 16% increase over Jan 2012 (from 2,070,300 to 2,395,800 metric tonnes)
Dry bulk: a 240% increase over Jan 2012 (from 41,000 to 138,400 metric tonnes)
Forest products: a 4% increase over Jan 2012 (from 7,800 to 8,100 metric tonnes)
Containers (Tonnage): a 28% increase over Jan 2012 (from 23,300 to 30,000 metric tonnes)
Containers (TEUs): a 10% increase over Jan 2012 (from 4,100 to 4,500 TEUs)
Vessels Calls: a 26% over Jan 2012 (from 53 to 67 vessels)

“These positive trends are encouraging and underscore the efforts of not only the Port Authority, but everyone who is associated with our Port Saint John team,” commented Jim Quinn, President & CEO, Port Saint John.

These results come at the same time Port Saint John was recognized in Progress magazine’s annual Book of Lists as the leading port by tonnage in Atlantic Canada. (http://www.progressbookoflists.com/Vizion5/viewer.aspx?issueID=5&pageID=49).

philster · #**8462** Posted **Feb 12, 2013, 2:45 PM**

Zellers McAllister mall closed up yesterday, walked by just now and the "zellers" signs have already been removed both inside and outside the mall. They sure didn't waste any time

JHikka · #**8463** Posted **Feb 12, 2013, 5:20 PM**

Connell Smith on Twitter is reporting that the City of Saint John and Shannex have agreed to a deal to have a new Retirement Centre/Nursing Home built on Millidge Avenue across from the Irving station and looping around to University Avenue next to the Gorman Arena.

Fischbob · #**8464** Posted **Feb 12, 2013, 6:00 PM**

Wait, what? Shouldn't we hang on and complete the Millidgeville Centre/University Avenue Corridor neighbourhood plans before giving away the area's most important parcel?

kwajo · #**8465** Posted **Feb 12, 2013, 6:17 PM**

It was partially sold as a high density development, which is a bit misleading because large retirement homes do not offer the same type of density improvements as other neighbourhood types, especially these Shannex ones which tend to be very suburban.

JHikka · #**8466** Posted **Feb 12, 2013, 8:06 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by kwajo

It was partially sold as a high density development, which is a bit misleading because large retirement homes do not offer the same type of density improvements as other neighbourhood types, especially these Shannex ones which tend to be very suburban.

There's a 6 storey retirement facility in Riverview on Coverdale road. If that is Shannex then it is possible to get a decent-sized building on that lot. My main contention is that the land is swampland, and there has been slight flooding in the area now that the swamp and trees have been removed. The land can't be that stable.

Nevertheless, it's infill in another part of Millidgeville, and we seem to be quickly chipping away at land available in the north of the city.

MonctonRad · #**8467** Posted **Feb 12, 2013, 8:14 PM**

Yes the facility in Riverview that you are referring to is indeed Shannex. A nice facility too. It's probably larger than you think. a few years ago they built a series of apartment buildings towards the back for residents requiring essentially very little or no assisted care.

JHikka · #**8468** Posted **Feb 12, 2013, 8:51 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by CHSJ News

Pleasant views and a nice residential atmosphere are some of the features being touted about a new nursing home development in Millidgeville, which would be built in part behind the Charles Gorman Arena.

Mayor Mel Norton tells CHSJ News the senior's complex has been proposed by Shannex, the same company that runs the Parkland in the Valley nursing home in Quispamsis. Norton says the proposed development would include town houses and garden homes in addition to the main complex, and would be an excellent use of a large swath of undeveloped land.

No time frame has been provided for the development yet.

For what it's worth.

kwajo · #**8469** Posted **Feb 13, 2013, 1:26 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by JHikka

There's a 6 storey retirement facility in Riverview on Coverdale road. If that is Shannex then it is possible to get a decent-sized building on that lot. My main contention is that the land is swampland, and there has been slight flooding in the area now that the swamp and trees have been removed. The land can't be that stable.

Nevertheless, it's infill in another part of Millidgeville, and we seem to be quickly chipping away at land available in the north of the city.

It's definitely an issue. There have been flood control studies done on the Millidgeville area which suggest using that same plot as a floodplain rather than develop it. The thing is, properly designed a development could have a positive net impact on flooding issues, my concern is that Shannex will not build to that standard - unless the city engineers force them into it (which is possible).

JHikka · #**8470** Posted **Feb 13, 2013, 7:56 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by kwajo

It's definitely an issue. There have been flood control studies done on the Millidgeville area which suggest using that same plot as a floodplain rather than develop it. The thing is, properly designed a development could have a positive net impact on flooding issues, my concern is that Shannex will not build to that standard - unless the city engineers force them into it (which is possible).

While it is possible the TJ reported today that Shannex is looking at a number of different sites in Saint John and the property on University/Millidge is the first that they will be studying. If there are other properties that would not require the City to strong-arm them they may choose those other areas. The biggest benefit to the University/Millidge property would be the ease of access to the Regional & CBS, I would imagine.

Personally the flooding issue does need to be solved but I see the need to infill that area as much more pressing. I know I always harp on developing out before the need to develop up occurs and I feel as though with less land available we'll soon have to start looking at developing higher density buildings with more height as the costs for vacant property go up. Of course, in this market, that won't currently happen, but this is more in regards to down the road in the future more than anything else.

Wolkenkratzerliebhab · #**8471** Posted **Feb 14, 2013, 4:23 AM**

Some photos I shot yesterday of Zeller's signs being removed. I rather hate to see Zeller's go, but I love the idea of Target coming. Also, I took a shot of the new Tim Horton's in Quispamsis and the new GAP Factory Store in Saint John.

Exterior shot:

Zeller's signage removal by I'm Me, Who are You?, on Flickr

Interior shot:

Empty Zeller's With Signage Removed by I'm Me, Who are You?, on Flickr

New Quispamsis Tim's:

IMG_0470 by I'm Me, Who are You?, on Flickr

New Saint John GAP Factory Store:

Saint John GAP Factory Store by I'm Me, Who are You?, on Flickr

JHikka · #**8472** Posted **Feb 15, 2013, 5:13 PM**

This is what will be going into the old Mexi's location on Prince William:

Courtesy Uptown SJ, via Facebook

IIRC these are the same people that own Alley Gria.

cdnguys · #**8473** Posted **Feb 16, 2013, 11:20 PM**

We now have a Howard Johnson Restaurant (along with universal HJ menu) located at HJ Plaza hotel.

JHikka · #**8474** Posted **Feb 20, 2013, 5:16 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by OliverD

Are you referring to Princess Auto? That isn't a car dealership.

Ok; car parts store. This point still stands:

Quote:

Originally Posted by NBNYer

It's not.. but JHikka's point is still valid. Princess Auto is not the best match for this development. It's some place you go when you need a spar part, or you're working on something and need a tool. It doesn't really fit into a "upper-class fashion centre" as they're trying to market this.

Anybody here want to discuss Council's inquiry into tightening Main Street and creating a more urban environment?

mylesmalley · #**8475** Posted **Feb 21, 2013, 8:47 PM**

Moved a dozen posts over to the Saint John retail thread regarding East Point and Princess Auto as per suggestion.

Peter_johnns · #**8476** Posted **Feb 22, 2013, 9:07 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by JHikka

Anybody here want to discuss Council's inquiry into tightening Main Street and creating a more urban environment?

I saw that article. Very good idea. Also a no-brainer, Main st. North, is positioned perfectly to be a popular urban and commercial corridor. Restore it in the way it once was... The planners who are lobbying for this are on the right track.

JHikka · #**8477** Posted **Feb 22, 2013, 9:14 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by Peter_johnns

I saw that article. Very good idea. Also a no-brainer, Main st. North, is positioned perfectly to be a popular urban and commercial corridor. Restore it in the way it once was... The planners who are lobbying for this are on the right track.

I'd like to see some interest from the private sector before I commit any hope into redeveloping Main.

Fischbob · #**8478** Posted **Feb 23, 2013, 3:45 AM**

For everyone's reference, here's the Main Street vision that's been floating around, as conceived by local urbanist and PAC chair Morgan Lanigan:

Source

The key points are outlined on his blog:

Quote:

1. Prioritize streets based on their best use (people streets, car streets, and shared spaces)
2. Divert east & west flow-through traffic onto Hilyard Street, Paradise Row, and Chesley Drive, effectively creating a "Main Street Bypass"
3. Reduce Main Street down to 2 or 3 lanes with on-street parking and active transportation facilities
4. Develop mixed-use infill projects on the 10+ acres of freed-up land under the existing Main Street lanes (and collect those tax dollars!)
5. Reduce the Viaduct to 4 or 5 lanes (or less!) with a dedicated pedestrian / cycle trail connecting to the Uptown, Harbour Passage, and the Boardwalk
6. Remove the high-speed on/off ramps from the viaduct in favour of pedestrian-friendly intersections

I think it's a great, if ambitious, long-term vision. And for my part, I think the sooner we can make the necessary infrastructure alterations to get a layout resembling this, the better.

Certainly we can't expect the private sector to be on board with such a project anytime soon. But don't forget, it took a great deal of public sector effort to break Main Street, and I'm definitely willing to accept the necessity of another big public intervention to start repairing it.

Peter_johnns · #**8479** Posted **Feb 23, 2013, 7:02 AM**

I love it. The fact that this dialogue is taking place is a big step in the right direction. With the motive to develop Main St. the interest will come.

cdnguys · #**8480** Posted **Feb 23, 2013, 11:54 AM**

Main Street does not require 6 lanes. I always thought they could take away the northern lanes and rebuild the brick buildings that were torn down. Interesting to think that it was considered "progress" in the 1960's - what was once a canyon of active buildings and neighborhood is a cold, barren concrete mess