The Official Saint John, NB Project Thread

[RaginRonic]

Just happened to see that Google Maps finally updated their Saint John street pics, which were taken back on October.

I have to say that quite a bit of Saint John is looking good now. Maybe just a bit cleaner, you know?

And that I've FINALLY seen the Cineplex Cinemas exterior on all it's sides, and have to say it's a LOT less garish than when the Empire 'STUDIO 10' bubble letters were mounted on the building. Cineplex made that cinema look pretty classy. =)

Also happened to see, on ground level, the sidewalk on Somerset and Frink. That's a sidewalk that was HORRIBLY needed for decades. Now, it's safe to walk on the sidewalk on both sides of Somerset.

The new Saint John Y is also looking swag, and Bayside Drive is starting to improve in it's appearance.

The Fundy Line Motel looks like it's now been closed and abandoned. Given that the Hampton Inn & Suites and Best Western Plus hotels are nearby, it's time for the Fundy Line to go.

That new part of East Point where Sobeys Extra, NB Liquor, and PetSmart is has a bit of swagger going for it as well. The continued expansion of the McAllister Regional Retail Centre is something that Saint John needs, and I'm hoping to see, by the next time Google Maps updates that area again, that the land excavation is all done, and all of East Point is totally developed.

Seeing Best Buy in it's blue and yellow in Saint John brings a bit of beef to that retail area...a lot more bold and badass than what Future Shop was there. FS just looked tired and worn near it's end anyway. =P

I really like what the Irvings have done with their re-config of the former Simms property...those truck lanes appear to be safer than the single road that is further down, and there's probably a better turning curve onto the pulp and paper property than there was. And safer for the truckers too.

All in all, like I said previously, I'm liking what I'm seeing with Saint John, and hope that the trend of cleaning up the city's look continues for many more years.

=)

[CdnEh]

Originally Posted by kwajo

Fantastic renovation/restoration of this old corner grocery location on Prince William is nearly complete

As of this weekend:



[from @boyceonteck on Twitter]

Before:

[Google Street View]

This is an amazing example of how a good street corner in Uptown should look, rather than a cold, faceless monolith of a wall - I'm looking at you new NB Liquor store...

WOW! Now that is how you renovate and restore! Good on her!

How long has that storefront been vacant?

[RR Drummer]

Originally Posted by RaginRonic

Just happened to see that Google Maps finally updated their Saint John street pics, which were taken back on October.

I have to say that quite a bit of Saint John is looking good now. Maybe just a bit cleaner, you know?

And that I've FINALLY seen the Cineplex Cinemas exterior on all it's sides, and have to say it's a LOT less garish than when the Empire 'STUDIO 10' bubble letters were mounted on the building. Cineplex made that cinema look pretty classy. =)

Also happened to see, on ground level, the sidewalk on Somerset and Frink. That's a sidewalk that was HORRIBLY needed for decades. Now, it's safe to walk on the sidewalk on both sides of Somerset.

The new Saint John Y is also looking swag, and Bayside Drive is starting to improve in it's appearance.

The Fundy Line Motel looks like it's now been closed and abandoned. Given that the Hampton Inn & Suites and Best Western Plus hotels are nearby, it's time for the Fundy Line to go.

That new part of East Point where Sobeys Extra, NB Liquor, and PetSmart is has a bit of swagger going for it as well. The continued expansion of the McAllister Regional Retail Centre is something that Saint John needs, and I'm hoping to see, by the next time Google Maps updates that area again, that the land excavation is all done, and all of East Point is totally developed.

Seeing Best Buy in it's blue and yellow in Saint John brings a bit of beef to that retail area...a lot more bold and badass than what Future Shop was there. FS just looked tired and worn near it's end anyway. =P

I really like what the Irvings have done with their re-config of the former Simms property...those truck lanes appear to be safer than the single road that is further down, and there's probably a better turning curve onto the pulp and paper property than there was. And safer for the truckers too.

All in all, like I said previously, I'm liking what I'm seeing with Saint John, and hope that the trend of cleaning up the city's look continues for many more years.

=)

On point sir, well said. I agree 100%.

[RR Drummer]

Originally Posted by CdnEh

WOW! Now that is how you renovate and restore! Good on her!

How long has that storefront been vacant?

I've driven by more times than I can count and never paid attention before. I'll def be checking it out now.

[kwajo]

Some pretty great in-fill progress by the Three Sisters lamp, exactly the kind of row housing that we need to take up vacant lots in the area.





[photos found on Twitter]

These homes will have a phenomenal Harbour view! In conjunction with the new Reno up at the corner of Queen posted a couple of weeks ago, this end of Prince William St is finally showing some life.

[Ire Narissis]

And garages... which I know is a contentious inclusion for some, but off-street parking is pretty appealing in that area, and at least a garage gets the car out of sight. With nice-looking garage doors they could look okay.

[Scarface]

Originally Posted by kwajo

Some pretty great in-fill progress by the Three Sisters lamp, exactly the kind of row housing that we need to take up vacant lots in the area.





[photos found on Twitter]

These homes will have a phenomenal Harbour view! In conjunction with the new Reno up at the corner of Queen posted a couple of weeks ago, this end of Prince William St is finally showing some life.

There seemingly doing quick work of this project, and I agree with you this is a great project for empty lots but I don't think they should have the same old thing all over saint John's vacant lots, it would just be more of the same, and extremely limit housing abilities in certain areas.

one project I seen go up, and wished it would have gone up sooner then it did was the St Andrews building at 181 Charlotte right on the corner of Duke, and Charlotte street it's not the same ol' same ol', and actually does look good where it is. Also despite being a brand new (newer) project it does match up with the neighborhood well.

[JHikka]

Originally Posted by Scarface

There seemingly doing quick work of this project, and I agree with you this is a great project for empty lots but I don't think they should have the same old thing all over saint John's vacant lots, it would just be more of the same, and extremely limit housing abilities in certain areas.

Care to elaborate?

I don't see any issue with adding new apartment stock on the peninsula. I don't really see it as limiting options for those who want to live in an urban setting. If anything, these seem to come with individual garages, which is slightly different from the large parking garage or on-street parking that others in the area have.

I don't necessarily agree with the units having garages but I understand the value and really can't be against this sort of development as its replacing a vacant lot. I recall the recent project on Waterloo removing its off-street parking, no?

[Scarface]

Originally Posted by JHikka

Care to elaborate?

I don't see any issue with adding new apartment stock on the peninsula. I don't really see it as limiting options for those who want to live in an urban setting. If anything, these seem to come with individual garages, which is slightly different from the large parking garage or on-street parking that others in the area have.

I don't necessarily agree with the units having garages but I understand the value and really can't be against this sort of development as its replacing a vacant lot. I recall the recent project on Waterloo removing its off-street parking, no?

I should have been clear I do agree with the project as is, and it's off street parking but do think in the peninsula area they should have a mix of housing options, and not only what seems to be 3 bedroom townhomes. I think that with any project in Saint John they should add off street parking when possible even if it's underground parking under a low rise apartment/condo complex. I do think your right about the Waterloo project I do believe they have removed the option of off street parking.

[kwajo]

Originally Posted by Scarface

There seemingly doing quick work of this project, and I agree with you this is a great project for empty lots but I don't think they should have the same old thing all over saint John's vacant lots, it would just be more of the same, and extremely limit housing abilities in certain areas.

one project I seen go up, and wished it would have gone up sooner then it did was the St Andrews building at 181 Charlotte right on the corner of Duke, and Charlotte street it's not the same ol' same ol', and actually does look good where it is. Also despite being a brand new (newer) project it does match up with the neighborhood well.

Oh I never meant to imply I only wanted this type of housing, I'm all for a mix of options, last thing I want is to displace current residents or limit the demographics of potential Uptown/South End residents (speaking as a current renter in the area). Ideally we'd have a wide variety of mixed-income housing with both rental and ownership options, but given the slow rate of growth in new housing construction on the peninsula, I do rather like small in-fill projects like this, even if they do only offer a single-family home style. More interesting will be the list of potential projects that could appear if the city allows timber-framed buildings up to 5 storeys, that could open up a lot of good projects in the area and help balance housing stock with the homes we're currently discussing.

[saintjohnirish☘]

Anyone hear anything on the NB Museum? Why not build on Pugsley slip where Moosehead has pulled out from?

The province would be wise to build a new building on the city's waterfront, providing the overhaul of the museum that it seems to be craving. It also be nice for this government to send some love our way

[MonctonianSentinel01]

Hello! This isn't my hometown's thread but, welcome to the forums!! Love the name with the clover! Here's to hoping that government love goes down your way!

[saintjohnirish☘]

Originally Posted by MonctonianSentinel01

Hello! This isn't my hometown's thread but, welcome to the forums!! Love the name with the clover! Here's to hoping that government love goes down your way!

Thanks buds! Happy to be here!

[WharfRat]

Originally Posted by saintjohnirish☘

Anyone hear anything on the NB Museum? Why not build on Pugsley slip where Moosehead has pulled out from?

The province would be wise to build a new building on the city's waterfront, providing the overhaul of the museum that it seems to be craving. It also be nice for this government to send some love our way

If I recall correctly, i think kwajo may have seen renderings of a new museum building awhile back.. maybe slated for coast guard site???

[Scarface]

Originally Posted by WharfRat

If I recall correctly, i think kwajo may have seen renderings of a new museum building awhile back.. maybe slated for coast guard site???

According to the government everyone who was planing on building anything on the site have all backed out, there are currently no plans for the site at this time.

[WharfRat]

Originally Posted by Scarface

According to the government everyone who was planing on building anything on the site have all backed out, there are currently no plans for the site at this time.

I wasn't suggesting it was going to get built on the site, only that it was a possibility. One of many scenarios I assume. Pretty sure no government funding has been provided for a new building, its all just hopes and wishes at this point.

[saintjohnirish☘]

It's Canada 150 folks, never a better time to leverage NB Museum as Canada's oldest continuing museum in Canada's oldest city and so on to get the funding for a proper home. Best of luck to them!

[kwajo]

Originally Posted by WharfRat

If I recall correctly, i think kwajo may have seen renderings of a new museum building awhile back.. maybe slated for coast guard site???

Very preliminary renderings existed for a museum building on the Coast Guard site this past Summer, but I'm afraid I don't know the current status of the project or whether it is DOA.

[saintjohnirish☘]

Great little peice on SJ by someone in Nova Scotia. The secret to keeping old buildings is economic stagnation

http://halifaxbloggers.ca/noticedinnovascotia/2017/01/learning-from-saint-john/

[JHikka]

Originally Posted by saintjohnirish☘

Great little peice on SJ by someone in Nova Scotia. The secret to keeping old buildings is economic stagnation

I disagree. The secret to keeping historic buildings is to recognize their value and to prevent their removal.

The most interesting thing about the article to me is that he contrasts a very dark and gloomy 1970s Saint John with a brighter, more upbeat SJ that exists today. Anyone in the city over the age of 50 will lead you to believe the exact opposite.