The Official Saint John, NB Project Thread

[RR Drummer]

Originally Posted by UptownJeff

Yes, noticed that too. Also see the building to the north of the valvoline location gas been sold too. Anyone know what's going on?

Interesting. I wonder if Dealermine bought it to increase their parking?

[JHikka]

Originally Posted by kwajo

Just a random idea, but what if the former Bargain Shop/Woolworth's location on King were renovated into a large retail draw like H&M - something that fits the urban character of the city but doesn't have a presence in our area yet. It would be a game changer to have a shop like this locate in our core and not our suburban mall/box-store neighbourhoods, and I feel like a retail draw such as H&M would succeed anywhere in the city, so why waste it on the East Side when it can be a catalyst Uptown?

I wonder what the price comparison is between Uptown and McAllister in terms of rental space? I'm guessing H&M, in this situation, would have to purchase the building itself rather than leasing it like they do in malls. H&M, at least every one i've seen, have been in malls and not stand-alones. That corner needs some sort of anchor tenant. It's the biggest downside of the Uptown.

[philster]

Its interesting that all the Canadian H&M locations I've seen as well have been in malls, however in visiting NYC this summer there seemed to be an H&M every few blocks, as the anchor tenant the bottom of that highrise building and of course they were 2-3 levels within that building as well and I'm sure they were an overall larger square footage than the stores I've seen in Moncton/Halifax etc.. and each location seemed to have different selection too or "speciality" line that the other store didn't carry.

But as others have said in the past here, we seem to be attracted to "shopping malls" vs downtown storefronts.

[nwalbert]

Swung by the Millidgeville Superstore location this morning to return some recyclables and noticed that the Blue Bins had been relocated to make room for a very large structure going up in the parking lot. Foundation is already poured. Anyone know what is going in there?

[JHikka]

Originally Posted by nwalbert

Swung by the Millidgeville Superstore location this morning to return some recyclables and noticed that the Blue Bins had been relocated to make room for a very large structure going up in the parking lot. Foundation is already poured. Anyone know what is going in there?

ANBL Liquor Store. Not sure if this is replacing the one at Lansdowne or not.

[flwright]

Originally Posted by JHikka

ANBL Liquor Store. Not sure if this is replacing the one at Lansdowne or not.

According to the representative at the PAC meeting a few months back, this ANBL location will be IN ADDITION to the Lansdowne location.

[WharfRat]

TransCanada set to file Energy East pipeline application
By CBC
Oct 29, 2014

"TransCanada says it plans to file its application for the proposed Energy East pipeline project with the National Energy Board of Canada on Thursday.
The application is "considered to be one of the most comprehensive regulatory documents in the company's history," it said in a statement."
http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/new-brunsw...ergy-east-pipeline-application-1.2817222

Nice to see things moving on this!!

New fertilizer facility slated for Saint John, NB
By Atlantic Potash Corp.
Mar 2013

"Atlantic Potash Corporation is planning construction of a proposed specialty fertilizer production facility in Saint John, New Brunswick. The proposed facility would be developed on approximately 100 acres of land in McAllister Industrial Park and is expected to cost $350 million, creating over 1,200 jobs during construction."
http://www.agannex.com/canada/new-fertilizer-facility-slated-for-saint-john-nb

Does anyone know where they are in this process? Is the environmental impact assessment started/finished?

[JHikka]

Originally Posted by flwright

According to the representative at the PAC meeting a few months back, this ANBL location will be IN ADDITION to the Lansdowne location.

That's interesting. Lansdowne location is one of their best (if not the best) locations based on sq. footage. I recall hearing rumours about it moving across the parking lot to be alongside the Sobeys when the Zellers was being torn down.

[Echo64]

New sign is up, still wondering if they are going to bother upgrade the inside or just move to a new location.

[Walk then Run]

Harbour Clean Up 100% Completed, 21 Years in the Making!

On October 31st the last of 24 lift stations was finished, which meant the completion of a 21 year journey. The last leg of the project really picked up in 2006 which had a massive price tag of nearly $100 million. Of course the city couldn't do this alone, so all three levels of government picked up the tab.

This project of course is not glamorous, but was definitely needed. I'm glad to see that it is done and we can know that our harbour is now 100% free from raw sewage. At least we will no longer need to hold your breath while driving through/past Haymarket Square.

I can only imagine the excitement of the ACAP employees...Marsh Creek stinks no more!

http://www.saintjohn.ca/en/home/news/newsreleases/saintjohnharbourcleanupreachesfinalmilestone.aspx

[RaginRonic]

Originally Posted by Echo64

New sign is up, still wondering if they are going to bother upgrade the inside or just move to a new location.

Do you have a shot from the Westmorland Rd. side too?

< = )

[jojosavard]

G'day johners, still on the lookout for Calps photos. Found a couple of enticing interior shots. But exterior is what my mental landscape really wants a refresher on. Anyone good enough to post a couple here for me...

In that vein - anyone checked out the the Saint John Jewish Historical Museum. Wadadyathink?

I am looking forward to having a gander when I am Uptown come Xmas. Can't help thinking that the museum is a little bit bittersweet though, in that is a mostly nostalgic remembering of a greatly diminished community. Any thoughts?

[Joe]

You may find some photos here:

https://www.facebook.com/VintagePhotoandFrame/photos_stream?ref=page_internal

[Walk then Run]

Originally Posted by jojosavard

Can't help thinking that the museum is a little bit bittersweet though, in that is a mostly nostalgic remembering of a greatly diminished community. Any thoughts?

Check out a CBC Radio interview from this past September. There is a strong push to grow the Jewish community here in Saint John by immigrating new families directly from Israel. So far it's been quite successful.

http://www.cbc.ca/informationmorningsain...orting-isreali-jews-moving-to-port-city/

[Gnarly]

Here is the story of another famous person from Saint John. I watched him over Niagara Falls, and did not know he was from Saint John.

http://www.facebook.com/l.php?u=http%3A%...inspire%2Farticle15799373%2F&h=XAQGXiOYW

[Walk then Run]

ZoneSJ...the good, the bad and the ugly. What should council do with it? This is our city's future plans to stall urban sprawl, which I support 100%, and get things cooking in the core.

I really believe SJ is about to take off as soon as the pipeline is given the green light, with the first project kick starting things is Fundy Quay.

Interesting article in the CBC:

http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/new-brunswick/saint-john-considers-development-incentives-1.2827574

[JHikka]

Originally Posted by Walk then Run

Interesting article in the CBC:

http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/new-brunswick/saint-john-considers-development-incentives-1.2827574

Hamm is correct on this one. Double taxation hurts a lot of property owners in the Province, and Saint John's highest tax rate in the Province just makes it all the worse. Why would a developer want to build in the City when they can build outside for cheap?

[Walk then Run]

I'm not a developer, but other than lowering taxes what else can the city do? There was mention of free water / sewage hookup and cash incentives to get things moving.

I would like to see what the cash incentives are. Maybe a deal can be struck (between the city and the potential developer) to eliminate the tax rate for a period of one or two years as long as the developer agrees to build during this time frame. Or, a sliding scale of property tax reduction. The larger the project the more of a reduction in property tax would be given to the developer. Of course there would be an appropriate timeline applied to this.

It would be interesting to read what others (developers?) would see as an incentive which would turn their heads and put shovels in the ground.

[JHikka]

Originally Posted by Walk then Run

I'm not a developer, but other than lowering taxes what else can the city do? There was mention of free water / sewage hookup and cash incentives to get things moving.

I would like to see what the cash incentives are. Maybe a deal can be struck (between the city and the potential developer) to eliminate the tax rate for a period of one or two years as long as the developer agrees to build during this time frame. Or, a sliding scale of property tax reduction. The larger the project the more of a reduction in property tax would be given to the developer. Of course there would be an appropriate timeline applied to this.

It would be interesting to read what others (developers?) would see as an incentive which would turn their heads and put shovels in the ground.

Saint John doesn't have a lack of properties and developments; Saint John has a lack of people willing to own and live in many of the empty buildings we already have. We should focus less on incentivizing developers and instead give more reason for property owners and citizens to live within city limits.

As far as i'm concerned we shouldn't be focused too much with developers right now. Developments will happen anywhere if the market is suitable enough for them. What can we do in the meantime to make the market in Saint John more desirable? Increase population, increase tax base, increase the flow of services and expenditures....at that point developers will be interested and you won't have to offer them silly incentives like free hook-ups and tax-free deadlines.

ZoneSJ should absolutely be passed and a few handful of developers on the outskirts shouldn't outweigh citizens in the rest of the City.

[thefishingnut]

I'm not a developer, but I've got to think their primary objective is to turn over what they are developing into income. That only comes from building what people want, where they want it. The city needs to develop (or facilitate to have developed) supporting infrastructure so that the developers will have customers for their developments, and I'm assuming there is some targeting of different groups to different areas. Tax incentives on development help, but if units can't be filled then developers aren't going to move ahead knowing that they'll still lose money.

I think the residential tax rate is very important, as is removing the perception of high Saint John taxes being required in order to pay for a new cop shop, a new court house, an empty parking garage, and for goodness sake they should never talk about even the slightest possibility of a new city hall. Personally I think the city would be much further ahead if they offered property tax incentives for new homeowners, purchasers of new units, etc.. If people want to buy units, developers will build them. Just my opinion.